Building for the better

Jane Schiff, Federation Board Chair

In 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!