ORGANIZATIONS
September 2021
Federation Star
27
COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH
www.hadassah.org / 518.330.1559
The heart of Hadassah Joyce Toub Collier/Lee Hadassah President
T
wo days ago, I flew from Fort Myers to Albany, New York, my northern home that I hadn’t been back to since October 2020 because of COVID conditions and a family emergency. Storm conditions delayed the flight. Instead of coming home at 5 p.m., it would be 6 p.m. … no big deal. I alerted friends who were picking me up of the delay, but little did I know that the plane would be diverted to Richmond, Virginia, where we stayed for the next six hours! The crew had timed out and different pilots were flown in from Atlanta to take us the rest of the way! My dear friends drove me home from the airport at 2 a.m.! Walking into my entryway, I saw beautiful plants and thought my driving friends had done this. But no, my New York Hadassah group, unbeknownst to me, had done it! My table was all set up, with chocolate babka cake as a centerpiece. My refrigerator was stocked full of my favorite foods! I am shocked. My Hadassah New York friends were going to surprise me with a welcome home party at around 5 p.m. and waited three hours until they heard the most recent accounting of my flight. I was so surprised, thankful, grateful, totally taken aback — and sorry to disappoint them all because they hadn’t seen my reaction. Why am I telling you all this? What does Hadassah mean to us in America
and globally? The desire to help others to do good, to befriend those who are needy — physically, mentally and emotionally. To be a small part of a very large picture. As a member of this group for 40 years, most of us are/were professionals and desired the close friendships that this organization provided outside of our workplaces. We worked together for a common cause. We raised our children together, went to services together, learned together and helped each other out as needed. I belong to other organizations as well, but none with the tremendous heart that Hadassah has! My Collier/Lee Hadassah Board is as wonderful — many dedicated women bent on getting the job done, creating new activities, helping each other out, anytime, anywhere. Check our upcoming programs in the months to come. Of course, they will be Zoomed according to guidelines from National Hadassah. Besides our Expanding Horizons programs, we have a joint program with the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples in October, a speaker on Hadassah International from National Hadassah in November and a Symposium on Women’s Health and Wellness on Dec. 1. I look forward to you all tuning in! Hadassah members will get more details in their Hadassah Happenings. If you are not a member and want more information, please contact me! As the High Holidays are approaching, I want to wish all of you and your families a wonderful New Year, 5782! May you and your loved ones be inscribed for a year filled with joy, health and peace! L’ Shana Tova.
A. Stephen Kotler BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST IN WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES
• Medicaid Planning • Elder Law and Special Needs Planning • Estate Planning and Probate
Kotler Law Firm P.L. (239) 325-2333
999 VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD, SUITE 200, NAPLES, FL 34108
Israel Advocacy Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples
& Collier/Lee Hadassah PRESENT:
Speaker: Dina Kraft Taking a look at “The Branch” Dina Kraft covers Israel and the Palestinian areas for The Christian Science Monitor out of Tel Aviv. She’s a long-time foreign correspondent who began her overseas career in the Jerusalem bureau of The Associated Press. Dina is drawn to stories featuring unlikely connections, dual narratives and the impact of conflict on ordinary lives. She hosted “The Branch” podcast, sponsored by Hadassah, that tells the stories of friendships among Jews and Arabs, Israelis and Palestinians.
Dina will highlight two epsiodes of “The Branch”: Singers in the Rana Choir of Jaffa are Jewish, Christian and Muslim, from different educational and socioeconomic backgrounds and different political outlooks. Note by note and song by song, the choir proves that different voices and views can still join together in harmony. From each side of the Israel-Gaza border, two peace advocates – Rami and Roni -- organize via Skype and WhatsApp, convinced that people-to-people ties can help break the deadlock of decades of cross-border fighting.
Monday, Oct. 25 10:30 am, ET on ZOOM $18 per household
Federation Membership
According to the bylaws of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, members are those individuals who make an annual gift of $36 or more to the Annual Federation Campaign in our community. For more information, please call the Federation office at 239-263-4205.
Register via www.jewishnaples.org
OF GREATER NAPLES
