JEWISH FEDERATION
Federation Star
September 2021
3
Participating in the community to better humanity Jane Schiff Federation Board Chair
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new year brings new beginnings and new challenges. What Judaism hopes is that we take the time to contemplate those new beginnings and challenges, and that the contemplation will allow us to possibly soften our attitude toward life. The world currently, to me, seems so black and white, when, in reality, all of life consists of shades of gray. No one is all good nor all bad. How do we make ourselves open to
all the goodness that is within every human, especially those with whom we have areas of disagreement? The answer, I think, is to find areas where we do agree. Many of us in the Greater Naples area are financially sound, and having made our way through the world, are at a time in our lives when we can enjoy ourselves through various pastimes without the worry of making a living anymore. And many of you who fit into this category are spending some of your wealth and wisdom on bettering humanity through various worthy endeavors in the Greater Naples area. Thank you. If, during your High Holy Day worship and reflection time, you think about how you might increase your
participation in the community and thus add to healing the many evils and unfortunate circumstances that are rampant in our society, we at Federation can help you find a path. Yes, donations of all sizes are important and helpful, but so is your time and experience. We have many committees and service projects, or we can refer you to other organizations for volunteer opportunities if what you want is not here at Federation. Your Federation donations support more than 30 agencies and programs locally, nationally and internationally. It is a way to be able to reach hundreds, possibly thousands, of needy people with just one contribution. For me, it makes sense that this is the largest single contribution I make each year.
I love living in Naples. I love that I have a huge cadre of new friends that, like me, are enjoying their lives. And I am very excited that in the near future we will be breaking ground on the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center — a new home for all the programs and events that your Federation provides to our community. There is still time to join in making this happen with a donation to the building fund. We are finishing up a $1 million challenge grant to build and sustain our dream. A donation to the building fund can become your legacy to a community that has allowed you to enjoy these wonderful years in our beautiful Greater Naples area. L’Shana Tova to you and your families.
And the seasons go round and round Jeffrey Feld Federation President/ CEO
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ere we are once again, completing and beginning! We are about to complete 5781 and with Rosh HaShanah, we will commence 5782. In September, 2021, we will observe the High Holy Days of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur and the entire holiday of Sukkot, including Simchas Torah and Shemini Atzeret. It is a time when families get together. It is a time for self-reflection and of renewal.
Hopefully, we will all be able to enjoy our families, our services and our friends in person. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this past year or 18 months very challenging in so many ways. Again, hopefully, we will be able to be together, in person, in our congregations with our families and be able to reflect on what these challenges may have meant and to find a way to renew our commitment to life going forward. During this time, my favorite holiday is Sukkot. There are a few reasons for this. First, very personally, my Bar Mitzvah was on Shabbos Chol HaMoed Sukkot (a long time ago). Recently, it has been my honor to be able to chant that Haftarah to commemorate my bar mitzvah. I appreciate Rabbi Chorny and the leadership of Beth Tikvah for allowing me to continue this tradition.
Sukkot is a harvest festival. This holiday calls for people to come together. A symbol of Sukkot is the Lulav. The Lulav and Etrog are essential in celebrating this holiday. The Midrash notes that the binding of the four species symbolizes our desire to unite Jews. The Lulav is made by tying together the closed frond of a date palm tree, with myrtle and willow. Of course, the Etrog is held with the Lulav to bring everything together. As a Federation CEO, it is my nature and personality to want to unite our entire
Jewish community together. By bringing our entire Jewish community together, regardless of stream, tradition or affiliation, we are making an effort to truly build our community. For me, Sukkot is all about building community. For me, Federation is all about building community. I thank each of you for everything you do to help us build a most vital and vibrant community. Shanah Tovah!
“To save one life is to save the world entire.” — The Talmud
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This High Holiday season, as we seek spiritual and physical renewal for ourselves and our loved ones, let us also remember those in Israel who nurture and renew life every day. Whether it’s treating civilians wounded in terror and rocket attacks or vaccinating them against Covid-19, no organization in Israel saves more lives than Magen David Adom. Magen David Adom is not government-funded. Its 27,000 volunteer EMTs and paramedics and 4,000 full-time professionals rely on support from people like you for the vehicles, supplies, and equipment they need to perform their lifesaving work. No gift will help Israel more this coming year. Support Magen David Adom by donating today at afmda.org/rosh or call 800.626.0046. Shanah tovah.
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