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Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
September 2021
A new year and Here for Good Paula Filler Campaign Chair
W
hen I was asked to serve as chair of the 2022 Annual Community Campaign, I knew it would be a lot of work. While I am always up for a challenge, it was reassuring to hear that Jewish Federation would have a new annual community campaign director to plan and implement a campaign, and we do! Our new campaign director, Kirk Wisemayer, and I have spent many hours over the summer assembling a campaign cabinet with whom much of the planning for this year’s campaign was
accomplished. Some of you know those serving on the cabinet, but you will all see and hear much from them over the coming months as we roll out the campaign. By now, you may have already received our initial campaign mailing for the 2022 Annual Community Campaign, Here for Good! It is a campaign we are all very excited about. We hope you will be as enthusiastic as we are by what your generosity will herald for Greater Jewish Naples. We have no campaign, no community, without you. It is, of course, no coincidence that the beginning of our campaign year coincides with Rosh HaShanah. In fact, it is intentional. As we celebrate, in synagogue and at home, the creation of the world, the fact it was designed to be a work in progress and our covenant with the Almighty to complete it is clear.
We must bear in mind that part of our partnership in creation is to financially strengthen our community and the world. There is no better time to “seal the deal” each year than Rosh HaShanah. Here for Good is our clarion call that we are not going anywhere, that there will always be Jewish life and community in Greater Naples. But it is also that which says we are partners in ensuring that the funds we raise here do good, improve lives, here in Greater Naples and throughout the Jewish world. The Annual Community Campaign is Here for Good only because of you. It is the vehicle that allows those of us who support the campaign, in whatever capacity, to do more good in more places, and create more possibilities for more people through our collective impact than we could ever hope to do as individuals.
We all have much to be thankful for, and we can and must all do our part to fulfill our partnership to do good. This is what Here for Good means. We can all be thankful for the wonderful Jewish community we have created. We can sustain and grow it with our gifts to the campaign, and in so doing, we can give others reason to be thankful by letting them know there are Jews in Greater Naples who care for their well-being as members of our global family. Be Here for Good — pledge your support to the 2022 Annual Community Campaign early and generously, and make the New Year sweet in ways only we can make possible, together. May you and all you love be blessed for a sweet year, with warm wishes from the board and campaign cabinet of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples for a Shanah Tovah.
Volunteers are needed to join the Jewish Community Relations Council By Jeff Zalasky, JCRC Chair
I
was recently appointed to be the next JCRC Chairman. I am truly honored to be selected to take over for Joel Pittelman, who did a terrific job in this role during his two tenures. On behalf of JFGN, I want to thank Joel for his generous time, effort and guidance. The primary mission of JCRC is to promote and enhance relationships between the Jewish community and the general community of Greater Naples. JCRC participates in many programs through a number of groups with whom it collaborates, concentrating on activities that promote religious freedom, separation of religion from government and social issues. JCRC membership includes representatives from Jewish organizations serving our community as well as at-large members. This membership diversity enables
JCRC to represent the Jewish community on a variety of issues. There are six subcommittees under the JCRC umbrella. These subcommittees give small financial awards as authorized by JFGN, provide volunteer assistance/ services, and create, promote and participate in educational programs to both Jewish and non-Jewish members of our community. Short descriptions of each subcommittee are provided below:
Day of Learning Committee The Day of Learning Committee plans and sponsors an annual educational event attended by 200 to 300 people. Members of the committee determine the focus of the program, identify and select appropriate speakers and handle logistics to accommodate attendees. This subcommittee needs a chairperson as well
as people interested in planning the annual event.
Stand Up for Justice Award – Beth Povlow, Chair Members of this committee review the contribution of schoolteachers, librarians, media specialists, guidance counselors and administrators to outstanding, unique and replicable education initiatives. Working with school districts, it encourages the development of those programs and the submission of applications for awards. The programs are evaluated by the committee members, most of whom have professional education experience.
Human Needs Award – Liz Jaffe, Chair Financial awards authorized by JFGN are given annually to two small, underfunded Collier County charitable organizations that provides services to meet specific life needs of a particular disadvantaged population. This committee vets, identifies and selects the recipient local organizations.
Jewish Congregation of Marco Island
May 5782 Bring Peace, Happiness and Good Health to You and Your Family
Antisemitism Task Force – Joel Pittelman, Chair
Join our High Holy Day Services Led by Rabbi Mark Gross and Cantorial Soloist Hari Jacobsen
Antisemitic incidents reported to the Federation are forwarded to the Antisemitism Task Force. The Task Force
Come Worship With Us
S’LICHOT Saturday 8/28/21, 8:30PM EVE of ROSH HASHANAH Monday 9/6/21, 7:30PM ROSH HASHANAH, 5782 Tuesday 9/7/21, 10:00AM TASHLICH Wednesday 9/8/21, 11:00AM
YOM KIPPUR EVE - KOL NIDREI Wednesday 9/15/21, 7:30PM YOM KIPPUR – Day of Atonement Thursday 9/16/20, 10:00AM Worship, includes “Yizkor” Memorial. 3:30PM Afternoon Worship and Ne’ilah
We invite visitors and guests to join us in live worship, with a limited number of seats available per public-health guidelines established by the Board of Directors. The cost for guests is $100/person. Call ahead to reserve your seat: (239)642-0800. All are welcome to follow services through live-stream from our Congregational website: www.marcojcmi.com. Please call ahead for password information.
Chair investigates to determine what level of action is required. At the end of the year, a report discussing each event is prepared and distributed to the public and the ADL for inclusion in its national summary.
Catholic-Jewish Dialogue – Luba Rotsztain and Marty Gauthier, Co-chairs This Catholic-Jewish group organizes several broadly attended community events. Members of this committee participate in Catholic-Jewish discussions and handle logistics for programs it holds. One of its signature programs is the annual Kristallnacht memorial program held each November.
Legislative Affairs – Betty Schwartz, Chair The scope of this relatively new subcommittee is being developed. Members will shape the activities and role the committee will play. Many issues come before governmental bodies for which there is a Jewish perspective or a uniquely Jewish interest. If you are interested in becoming a JCRC committee member and working on one of these subcommittees, please contact me at jzalasky@gmail.com.
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