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Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
February 2022
Brunch in the garden: A celebration of the power of a woman By Betty Schwartz, Chair, and Susan Pittelman, Vice-Chair, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Pomegranate Society
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PHOTO CREDIT: NATE LANE PHOTOGRAPHY
t was a bright and sunny morning on Dec. 8, when more than 30 women joyfully greeted each other in the garden at Ridgeway Bar & Grill. More than a year-and-a-half had passed since members of the Pomegranate Society last met in person. The service project planned for March 2020 at the Naples Senior Center was abruptly canceled when the Center announced it was closing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, the overflowing bags of supplies collected as part of the Pomegranate Society social service project were still distributed through the food pantry, needed then more than ever. Very determined, and understanding the importance of remaining connected Jewish Federation Board Chair Jane Schiff (right) Campaign 2022: Here for Good Chair Paula Filler to one another, we were not going to let with WCA President and Jewish Federation’s (right) with Pomegranate Leona Wreschner the pandemic stop us. The Pomegranate newest Lion of Judah, Patti Boochever Society held informal Zoom meetings to keep in touch and planned several virtual events, attended by both Pomegranates and Lions, that focused on the power of women to make a difference. The Dec. 8 brunch provided members of the Pomegranate Society, and several Lion of Judah Society members, an opportunity to celebrate the power of women to make a difference in their communities, across the Brunch Committee members Susan Rabin, Judi Palay, Betty Schwartz, Brunch Committee member Peggy Brown presents county and around the Susan Pittelman and Peggy Brown with Annual Community guest of honor Sybil Baiman with a token of the world. We were all very Campaign Director Kirk Wisemayer committee’s appreciation. excited to continue to explore this topic, this time in person! Cultural Center, thanking everyone on March 16, 2022, and our Women’s made a difference, one that has touched Having warmly greeted all who present for the roles they have played to Philanthropy luncheon on March 7, 2022, every Pomegranate. Sybil shared her attended, the Pomegranate Society goals make the dream of a new home for Jewish open to all women who are donors to the story, explaining how she, as president and all we have accomplished in the four Federation and our community a reality. Annual Community Campaign. of Jewish Federation of Lehigh Valley years since the Pomegranate Society was Paula Filler, 2022 Annual Community Our thanks to each of the Pomeand a member of National Women’s formed were explained, not the least Campaign chair, spoke of the success granate and Lion of Judah women who Philanthropy board, was instrumental among them, growing our membership of Campaign 2022: Here for Good to attended the brunch. You are women in establishing the Pomegranate Society, from 27 to 53 members. date, and thanked every donor for their who carry on the fundamental Jewish first in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1981, Jewish Federation Board Chair Jane generosity. tradition of tzedakah, setting exemplary and then nationally. Four decades later, Schiff shared an update on the nowJudi Palay introduced guest speaker standards of leadership and giving in our there are more than 7,800 Pomegranates under-construction Nina Iser Jewish Sybil Baima as a woman who has community. You inspire others to transthroughout North America, with new late their commitment into giving that members added every day. makes a difference. Baiman described her role in creating We also express appreciation to the beautiful sterling silver Pomegranthe leadership of Jewish Federation of ate pin, which is a symbol of a woman’s Greater Naples, including Jane Schiff, commitment to, and compassion for, the Karen Deutsch, Paula Filler and Annual Jewish people. “One of the seven holy Community Campaign Director Kirk species in Torah, the pomegranate, along Wisemayer as well as to Peggy Brown, with dates, wheat, grapes, barley, figs and Judi Palay and Susan Rabin for their olives are viewed as life-sustaining. As enthusiasm and wonderful ideas as your generosity sustains Jewish life here members of the brunch committee. in Greater Naples, and in Israel, Jewish The Pomegranate Society brings women tradition teaches that there are 613 seeds with shared Jewish values together through in the pomegranate. These correspond to their philanthropy. A minimum comthe 613 commandments in our Torah, mitment of $1,800 annually to Jewish representing a life that is just and righFederation’s Annual Community Campaign teous. You have made great strides here enables you to become part of this group of in the last four years…. You are doing remarkable women. For more informaimportant work, wear your pin proudly!” tion, please contact Kirk Wisemayer at Upcoming events include the Pome239-263-4205, ext. 305, or kwisemayer@ granate Society social action project at The jewishnaples.org. Shelter for Abused Women & Children
