JEWISH FEDERATION
February 2022
Building for the better Jane Schiff Federation Board Chair
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n the 1960s and 1970s, whenever I went to New York City, there were signs all over the streets that said, “Build we must, for a better New York.” And the work was all being done underground. Building, it turns out, is done in many different ways. Watching the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center being built at this time is also underground and yet super exciting as pipes are laid, foundation work is being done and the site is starting to look like something will actually come up from all that dirt. But the more important building happening is the building of community. And it is also the more difficult work, made even harder by the recent surge in COVID. It was with heavy hearts and clear minds that the decision to again stop indoor activities was made at the end of December. We all thought that by now we would be staring COVID down through the rear-view mirror, but, instead, it has morphed and returned with a vengeance.
It is hard to build friendships, run programs and create a community when there is no way for new people to be brought into the fold. We know people are moving here. My realtor friends have no listings to sell. We are trying to be creative, and we hope that our March events will be held in person, even if outdoors. Life goes on, but with modifications. Learning to cope and finding new ways to connect and be together is the new normal. Your Jewish Federation of Greater Naples wants you to know that we are still here. We are still helping kids get a Jewish education. We are still helping seniors get the assistance they need. We are still creating cultural events, like the book festival, presenting Israeli informational speakers, pursuing community activism and scheduling Catholic-Jewish Dialogue events. And we’re still worrying about the continuing needs of our overseas brethren. We are here. And so many of you have helped us be here with your donations. Thank you. You are making a difference. And so, for the Greater Naples area, we are building, and building for a better Jewish Federation of Greater Naples because of and through you!
Another month of Zoom events for all to enjoy! Reneé Bialek Program Director
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pdate: The People of the Book Jewish Book Festival event will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2 on Zoom only. In case you didn’t catch it the first time, please note that this is a Zoom-only event. The Zoom link will be emailed two hours prior to the start of the event. The Jewish Book Festival will also be offering a wide variety of genres, with something for everyone! In February, there are four virtual events: Feb. 2, 10, 16 and 25. Khaled Abu Toameh will be Zooming in from Jerusalem, Wednesday, Feb. 9 at noon (ET), to discuss the Israeli-Arab conflict, with a focus on relations between Palestinians and Jews and the future of the peace process. Please register for this free program. PJ Library and Jewish Families with Young Children are invited to the park for activities and fun on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 3
p.m. Please make a reservation with Alicia at programs@jewishnaples.org. If you have an idea for a program or want to be a guest speaker or facilitator, please contact me at rbialek@jewish naples.org. Please read our weekly Monday e-blast for changes to these programs as well as to see additional programs being offered to the community. Please register at www.jewishnaples.org or via our weekly e-blasts for each of these programs. The Zoom link will be emailed two hours prior to the start of each program. Federation weekly e-blasts are sent out on Monday mornings. If you are not getting them, let me know, so that I can add you and you will stay connected. We have a variety of groups and committees at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, such as PJ Library, Jewish Families with Young Children, Cardozo Legal Society, Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, Israel Advocacy Committee and Jewish Community Relations Council. Please join the group and/or committee that best fits your needs. A taste of each one can be found throughout our website, www.jewishnaples.org.
For a continuously updated community calendar, visit www.jewishnaples.org
Federation Star
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Dr. Brandon Kirsch: lawyer and dermatologist (by his mother’s decree)
There’s an old joke about a Jewish mother who is walking down the street with her two young sons. A passerby asks her how old the boys are. “The doctor is three,” the mother answers, “and the lawyer is two.” Well, my mom had just one son, so I had to be both!
In truth, I decided to become a doctor as a second career because I felt it was my calling. I founded Kirsch Dermatology as a boutique dermatology practice with the goal of recapturing the essence of medicine: thoughtful and compassionate care made available to everyone. It gives me so much joy to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the Naples community.
Shalom aleichem and hope to see you soon!
(239) 300-9767
