Have a ball at A Night at the Jerusalem Light Festival

The Second Annual Greater Naples Matzah Ball

By Alicia Feldman, Development Director

The weather is getting cooler, the school year has started, the snowbirds are returning home and hurricane season is in full swing. Yes, it’s fall in Naples. Before you know it, December will be here and we will be huddled around a menorah, lighting candles and celebrating Chanukah with family and friends. And Chanukah quickly approaching can only mean one thing … it’s time for the Second Annual Greater Naples Matzah Ball! Mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 2 from 7 to 11 p.m. for the Matzah Ball, which will be back bigger and better than ever!

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples hosted the first Annual Greater Naples Matzah Ball (the “Matzah Ball”) last January. This gala is intended to bring together younger members of the Jewish community (suggested ages of 21-55) during the holiday season. The first Matzah Ball, themed “A Night in Tel Aviv,” brought together more than 80 younger members of the Greater Naples Jewish community. The event was an overwhelming success enjoyed by all.

The Matzah Ball will again take place at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. This year’s theme, “A Night at the Jerusalem Light Festival,” is sure to live up to the Chanukah “Festival of Lights” nickname. In addition to the traditional lights of the Chanukah menorah, there will be many other light-themed decorations including light displays on the walls, light shows from the DJ booth, glow sticks on the tables and even lights flashing in beverages.

We encourage attendees to dress in fun, colorful cocktail casual attire for this night when we bring Jerusalem to life right here in Naples. Individual tickets are being sold for $150 per person.

A few new features this year include scholarship prices for those who are unable to afford the $150 ticket price, kosher food options for those who would like to eat kosher and sponsorship opportunities are available as well:

• All sponsorship levels include name recognition in all marketing materials and recognition at the event.

• The Menorah sponsor ($5,000) will be the title/presenting sponsor of the event and includes 8 complimentary tickets.

• The Latke sponsorship ($2,000) includes advertisement in the Federation Star and 4 complimentary tickets.

• The Dreidel sponsorship ($1,000) includes advertisement in the Federation Star and 2 complimentary tickets.

• The Gelt sponsorship ($500) includes 2 complimentary tickets.

I want to thank all the committee members for their time and hard work in organizing the event, including Michael Rubenstein (Chair); Mia Hyatt, Susan Solomon, Max Deifik, Rocio Bershadski and Alicia Feldman (Vice Chairs); and Jessica Rosen and Faby Kivievic (Members).

We look forward to welcoming you all to “A Night at the Jerusalem Light Festival” and eating, drinking, dancing and celebrating Chanukah in style with family and friends at the 2023 Matzah Ball!