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The Speaker Series: A signature WCA program
By Susan Koeppel, Speaker Series Chairperson and Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator
Every year, our members look forward to our Speaker Series — one of WCA’s signature programs. WCA Speaker Series Chair Susan Koeppel has been scheduling these speakers for more than five years and we think you will be delighted when you see the outstanding array of speakers she has already engaged for this coming year!
In the past, we faced the challenge of trying to accommodate everyone who wanted to attend these popular WCA programs, but now that we are in our new home at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, we will be able to accommodate everyone who wants to attend.
The Speaker Series is generally presented on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. However, to attract the best possible cadre of speakers, a speaker will occasionally be scheduled at a different time. On Wednesday, Feb. 14, for example, will we have a special presentation by a hidden child of the Holocaust.
Please be aware that all events require preregistration. Only WCA members may register, unless the announcement specifies that guests are welcome. Look in your weekly e-newsletter for upcoming speakers as well as their topic, day, time and registration information. You can also find a list of upcoming speakers in the Special Events section of our website.
The 2023-2024 Speaker Series will kick off on Oct. 26 with a presentation on recent advances in dermatology by Dr. Vivian Wong. The season’s schedule includes other prominent speakers in the fields of medicine, art, history, religion, theater and literature. WCA’s goal is to provide engaging topics that reflect the interests of our diverse membership. We encourage your participation in the Q&As that follow each presentation.
A season highlight will be a fourpart series, “Unveiling the Rituals of the Jewish Wedding,” about Jewish wedding customs and paintings of Jewish weddings. This special series is being presented by art historian and Holocaust scholar Ellaine Rosen.
“We started planning for the season last spring and, of course, more ideas and speakers are added as the season progresses. Many of our speakers are WCA members, their families, friends and co-workers,” Koeppel explains. “I continue to be amazed at the outstanding pool of talent we have right here in the Naples area.”
Koeppel is always on the lookout for interesting speakers, so please contact her if you have any suggestions.
Remember to check the WCA weekly e-newsletter for upcoming speakers, then register for these outstanding presentations. However, you will only receive the e-newsletter if you are a member of WCA.
If you are not a member of WCA or simply forgot to renew your membership, please “due” it now! Just go to wcanaples.org and click on Membership.
