Federation Star - May 2022 by jewishnaples

Happy Israel Independence Day! Sundown May 4 to Sundown May 5 CELEBRATING JEWISH LIFE IN GREATER NAPLES, ISRAEL AND THE WORLD

FEDERATI N STAR

Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

SERVING NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

www.JewishNaples.org  May 2022 – Nisan/Iyar/Sivan 5782  Vol. 31 #9 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 20 21 1A 2A 3A 5A 8A 9A 10A 12A 15A

Men’s Cultural Alliance Women’s Cultural Alliance Community Focus Tributes Organizations Jewish Interest Israel & The Jewish World Commentary Synagogue News Focus on Youth Community Directory

An Oasis of Hope Join author Douglas P. Zipes, MD for a discussion about his book, “Ari’s Spoon,” and the parallels between antisemitism then and now.

State of the Federation Jane Schiff Federation Board Chair

he third year of COVID. Oh, my! But, as of the writing of this report, we are open and have had a few events. The joy of seeing each other in person has been overwhelming. Hugs — no kisses — elbow bumps, a few handshakes and smiles everywhere. For the past five years as your Board Chair, I have worked with Jeffrey Feld on our overriding goal of building a community. That was a tough job during COVID. When I witnessed the joy of seeing old and new faces, of reconnecting, I could see we have been successful. And, as I go through this report, I hope you will agree that we have made a difference and have, indeed, been successful!

PAID

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109

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Non Profit Org U.S. Postage

Outstanding Federation staff

Jeffrey Feld, our president and CEO, is the quiet driving force that keeps it all together. He is the most diplomatic and effective CEO I can imagine. He produces large city results with small city resources. His staff adores him, and we all deeply appreciate his tenacity, his vision, his results and his warm, inclusive personality. He is tireless, dedicated and passionate. He is respected throughout our community. We are indeed lucky to have him as our leader. Thank you, Jeffrey, for all that you do for our community.

has seen well over 500 families participate. She is super busy this year with the building construction roaring along. Thank you, Marcy. Teresa Zimmerman, our finance and operations manager, works with our Finance and Audit Committee to keep our books transparent. In addition, she oversees, fixes and manages the day-today operations necessary in the organization. Teresa works with the Federation Treasurer, the Finance and Audit Committee Chair, WCA and MCA as well as being on call for any questions that arise. Thank you, Teresa. Nathan Ricklefs was our database manager, and handled our technology. He resigned at the beginning of April. He will be missed as he moves on to other opportunities in his life. Thank you, Nathan. Janine Hudak does many of the administrative jobs required to assist members and the entire staff. She is the answer woman when you call the office with a question or just need to connect with a staff person. Thank you, Janine, and to the entire staff. Kirk Wisemayer started in May 2021 as Federation’s new annual community campaign director. He comes to us from a distinguished career at the Federation in Atlantic County, New Jersey. He is a wonderful addition to our staff, bringing innovations and excitement to our Federation. continued on page 2

Program Director Reneé Bialek is the force behind the majority of our Zoom events. She staffs our Jewish Book Festival, the IAC (Israel Advocacy Committee), JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Council), Mix and Mingle, Jewish Professionals, Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, Yom Ha-Shoah, Jewish Day of Learning and more. She has been busier than ever this year, having to juggle online and

in-person events at the same time and making a quick decision to change from one format to the other. She received the gift of a partner to help her with PJ Library this year. Alicia Feldman joined the staff and has been running programs and finding many ways to connect young families. Thank you, Reneé and Alicia. Marcy Friedland is our capital campaign director and planned giving director. We have been in high gear for our Capital Campaign fundraising, with Marcy overseeing every detail. The paver program as well as the Capital Campaign

Deepening the Judaism Connection Join Roberta Rosenthal Kwall in a discussion about Judaism and what is needed for the Jewish organizational structure to survive. 5 Walls are Going Up! Check out the progress on the construction of our Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. 23

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

state of the federation...continued from page 1 As executive director of the TOP Road and see what is rising out of the Jewish Foundation, Ellen Weiss makes ground. It is remarkable. More details sure the organization serves as JFGN’s about this effort at the end of this report. endowment/planned giving department The group that guides financial deciand works with us and our donors to sions, the Finance and Audit Committee, achieve each person’s philanthropic goals. oversees all our budgeting and issues relatThank you, Ellen. ing to our administration and controls. Elliot Lerner, as treasurer, and Steve Stellar community Strome, as Finance and Audit Commitvolunteers and committees tee chair, lead this committee, overseeing The staff is joined by Federation’s volit all. We again had a “clean” audit from the independent auditors. This group has unteers. The Board of Directors, all of us volunteers, have been a very special been super busy preparing for our move, group this past year. So many of our addressing questions, such as what new leaders have been leaders in other walks and/or increased insurances do we need? of life and bring a plethora of skills and How many more staff do we need? What loads of energy. is the cost of the financing? The details The many committee members, comare many, and this group helps us figure mittee chairs and volunteers for each it all out. event make me marvel at the level of comThe Governance and Nominating mitment I see daily. The hours and hours Committee is chaired by our immediate of volunteer time expended on behalf of past Board Chair, Alvin Becker, and is our Jewish community is the reason, along co-chaired by Amanda Dorio. They make with our exceptional staff, that we are sure that we operate according to the rules growing, thriving and succeeding. set down in our bylaws and find wonderful new Board members for us. On the board level, we have standing committees that oversee the business end WCA and MCA had programs 24/6. There is no way to mention all their offerof the Federation: the Allocations Committee, Governance and Nominating ings. They currently have a combined Committee, Finance and Audit Commitmembership of over 2,500 members. The growth and vibrancy of both organizatee, and Development Committee are the tions produce pride and a specialness to backbone of our organization. In addition, the Building Committee our Jewish Naples community that is the and its subcommittees have been ridicuenvy of many, many Federations. We are so lucky to have these wonderful affiliates. lously busy, planning for and creating They have become experts at operating the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. The expertise from our community that via Zoom and are now figuring out how has helped in this effort has allowed us and when to open up. Some of their proto make excellent decisions. I highly gramming may remain online until the recommend you drive by 4720 Pine Ridge Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center opens.

Some may become hybrid. However, they choose to move forward, know that they are moving forward. Their leadership, Patti Boochever of WCA and Les Nizin of MCA, work with their boards and other volunteers to create the programming. Les will be leaving his position in June, and we welcome Michael Sobol as incoming President of MCA. There are many, many volunteers who help create and run each program. The programs of the WCA and MCA, along with Federation’s programs, have given us a rich and diverse cultural life during the isolation of COVID. Thanks go to each and every one of you who helped with any of those programs this year. Other groups that hold meetings to study, play and share their Jewish Naples connections include the Cardoza Society for lawyers, the Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance, Jewish War Veterans, Mix and Mingle for single seniors, Young Jewish Professionals and Young Jewish Families. Each group has programming that meets the needs of its participants. And each group has volunteers who create the programs with Reneé. The seventh year of the Jewish Book Festival was mostly online. The two inperson programs were better attended online than in person, which was perfectly wonderful. Gayle Dorio, this year’s Chair, was aided by a plethora of volunteers who chose the authors, introduced the authors and helped whenever and wherever needed. Each author talk was unique. Some shared visual presentations, some talked in conversation with a moderator; all were

up-close and personal, thanks to Zoom. There were intimate discussions after a few of the events with patrons and the author. No one had parking or traffic problems. Many of you (me, included) showed up in sweatsuits without shoes. We hope the COVID numbers stay low, and we will all have to get dressed up to listen to the authors in person this coming year. Our yearly Chanukah Celebration at Mercato was terrific. We estimate that 700 people showed up. And the weather cooperated! The Israel Advocacy Committee, chaired by Harvey Cohen, presented many events that were well attended, some on Zoom, some Zoom/in-person hybrids. The Jewish Community Relations Committee, chaired by Jeff Zalasky, also was in full gear. The Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, chaired by Luba Rotsztain and Marty Gauthier, had many small group discussions on various topics, sponsored a community-wide Kristallnacht Commemoration spearheaded by Ginny Segaloff, then topped off the year with Rabbi Skorka (in person), who wrote a book and is a dear friend to Pope Francis. The Rabbi Skorka event was headed by Richard Price. The Antisemitism Task Force, a subcommittee of the JCRC chaired by Joel Pittelman, pointed out the known issues that occurred in our community. Our Stand Up for Justice Committee, chaired by Beth Povlow, identified this year’s SUFJ award winners — Kathryn Doyle and Romi Rameau, with honorable mentions going to Courtney

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JEWISH FEDERATION Cassidy, Catherine Crawford and Lindsey Simmons. Liz Jaffe and the Human Needs Committee selected two nonprofits — Cultivate Abundance and STARability Foundation — as the Human Needs Award winners. I want to thank each of those committees for, once again, finding worthy recipients. Raising money to service the needs of the community is what we do. The Annual Campaign was chaired exceedingly well this year by Paula Filler, with the help of our new Annual Campaign Director, Kirk Wisemayer. Paula brought together a campaign cabinet that represented each division: Rosalee Bogo and Michael Sobol (Major Gifts); Susan Pittelman and Betty Schwartz (Pomegranates); Rosalee Bogo and Dr. Judith Finer Freedman (Lion of Judah); Alvin Becker and Michael Suffian (Joshua Society); Michael Sobol (King David Society); Michael Rubinstein (Ben Gurion Society); and David Citrin, Harvey Cohen and Cheryl Ginsburg (General Division). Our goal for the Annual Campaign this year was $1,450,000. As of the writing of this article, we have raised in excess of $1,530,000. Karen Deutsch was our Financial Resource Development Committee chair. This committee encompasses our annual campaign, capital campaign, endowment and a special campaign that was needed this year to help the Jews of Ukraine escape the horrors of war. Many Jews chose to make a permanent move to Israel, and our partner, The Jewish Agency for Israel, facilitated that decision. Some Jews just ran, some Jews stayed, and the American Jewish Joint

May 2022

Federation Star

Distribution Committee came to the rescue with food, clothing, medicine and other necessities. Students from ORT schools in Ukraine were moved out and cared for by World ORT. Dollars raised for the Ukraine emergency went 100% to these three agencies.

Two new awards

As our Jewish community and our Federation continue to grow, it was decided that two new awards be presented this year to honor those who have aided in that growth — a Campaign Achievement Award and a Power of Community Award. The Campaign Achievement Award, which recognizes volunteer campaign achievement, leadership and commitment, went to Betty Schwartz and Susan Pittelman. These two women started our Pomegranate division of giving for women who make a minimum annual campaign gift of $1,800. In 2017, THE they JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NAPLES LOBBY theBUILDING Board will vote on the Allocations Allocating funds started with 28 women; VIEW today, that diviCommittee recommendation at the June Allocations is the term that describes sion has 70 members. Board meeting. where your dollars go. Preschools; sumAnd our new Power of Community The Annual Campaign allows us to W E G Mmer A N camps; DESIG N G R especially OUP seniors, Holocaust Award, recognizing an outside agency, function in all aspects — allocations, survivors; Jews with economic difficulties; congregation or community organization administration and programming, which education to the surrounding communithat has demonstrated a strengthening occupies more and more of our Federaties, especially middle schoolers, about the of partnership and cooperation, went to tion life. Jewish Federations were founded Holocaust and its underlining message Collier County Sheriff’s Office and was for the express purpose of raising money of antisemitism; education and cultural accepted on their behalf by Sheriff Kevin to take care of the needs of Jewish people events for our community; and the many Rambosk and Chief Stephanie Spell. The locally and overseas. Money raising and needs overseas are our allocations. Sheriff’s office has a special relationship allocating those dollars has been the traWe try to highlight each of these areas with our Federation, which began with ditional model Federations have operated through articles and programs that create our Shop with a Sheriff program but has under for well over 100 years in the U.S. a sense of pride in our Jewish community. grown to a mutual caring and cooperation However, times change. Community We thank Jay Weiss and the Allocations level that seems very unique. We applaud needs vary in different locations. This Committee for their diligence in making the winners but, more importantly, we community needs our connections to the recommendations. The process of are excited about the progress that these continued on page 4 allocations is currently underway, and awards represent.

Federation Star

Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Happening this month

Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities

Published by

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, Florida 34109-0613 Phone: 239.263.4205 Fax: 239.263.3813 www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org Officers Board Chair: Jane Schiff Vice Chairs: Karen Deutsch (Chair Elect), Marc Saperstein, Beth Wolff Secretary: Rosalee Bogo Treasurer: Elliot Lerner Immediate Past Chair: Alvin Becker

Board of Directors

Frank Baum, Patti Boochever, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Amanda Dorio, Paula Filler, Cheryl Ginsburg, Larry Israelite, Tammy Katz, Merlin Lickhalter, Robin Mintz, Les Nizin, William Petasnick, Joel Pittelman, Stuart Price, Nat Ritter, Michael Rubenstein, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss, Jeff Zalasky, Board Member Emeritus: Phyllis Seaman

Past Board Chairs

Gerald Flagel, Dr. William Ettinger, Ann Jacobson (z”l), Sheldon Starman, Bobbie Katz, Rosalee Bogo, Judge Norman Krivosha (z”l)

Synagogue Representatives

Stan Alliker, Cantor Donna Azu, Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Steve Chizzik, Rabbi Ammos Chorny, Rabbi Mendel Gordon, Rabbi Mendy Greenberg, Rabbi Mark Gross, Rabbi Howard Herman, Rabbi Adam Miller, Charles Flum, Rabbi James Perman, Dr. Arthur Seigel, Len Teitelbaum, Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Staff

Jeffrey Feld: Federation CEO/President Reneé Bialek: Program Director Alicia Feldman: PJ Library Coordinator Marcy Friedland: Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director Janine Hudak: Admin. Coordinator Kirk Wisemayer: Annual Community Campaign Director Teresa Zimmerman: Finance & Operations Manager

Federation is the central Jewish community-building organization for Greater Naples, providing a social service network that helps Jewish people locally, in Israel and around the world. As the central fundraising organization for Jewish communal life in our area, strength is drawn from organized committees of dedicated volunteers. Programs include: • Annual Campaign & Endowment Fund • Celebrate Israel • Educational & Cultural Programs • Israel Advocacy Committee • Israel Scouts • Jewish Book Festival • Jewish Community Relations Council • Jewish Young Professionals • Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance • Men’s Cultural Alliance • PJ Library • Publication of the Federation Star, Connections and Community Directory • Women’s Cultural Alliance • Women’s Philanthropy • Youth Activities Committee – sponsoring youth education and scholarships for Jewish Summer Camp and Israel Experience

Reneé Bialek Program Director

“S

hould a Catholic become a Jew? Or a Jew become a Catholic? If so, when, and why? Decisions made under extreme pressure define a person’s character and set in motion consequences that create the heroes and heroines in “Ari’s Spoon,” a novel based on real people and events that took place during the World War II Warsaw ghetto uprising and its aftermath.” Everyone is invited to attend the Author Book Talk discussion of “Ari’s

Spoon” on Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. (ET) via Zoom. Register for this free event, brought to you by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and Men’s Cultural Alliance, at www.jewishnaples.org. I will be attending the virtual Book Council Conference at the end of this month with Gayle Dorio (Chair of JBF), Jan Goldman, Carol Hirsch and Emily Berkowitz, where we will vet over 200 authors. We will let you know in the coming months what the Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival schedule will look like. PJ Library and Jewish Families with Young Children are invited to the park for activities and fun on Sunday, May 15 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@ jewishnaples.org. Please read our weekly Monday e-blast for any changes to these programs and, of course, to the additional programs being offered to the community. 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.

An oasis of hope in a desert of madness By Douglas P. Zipes, MD

he security metal detector screeches when Gabe Goerner carries his infant daughter into Saint Luke Catholic Church for her baptism. The cause is a mysterious silver spoon engraved with Ari Holmberg, 27-2-1943, Warsaw, concealed in the thick, double-layered hem of her silk baptism gown, a family heirloom. The shocking discovery spirals Gabe’s life through a series of unforgettable events that lead him from contemporary Indianapolis to the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, from underground bunkers to operating rooms, and from the safety of home to

Douglas P. Zipes, MD

the Treblinka death camp. What he finds on his mission forever transforms him. “Ari’s Spoon” depicts unflinching parallels between antisemitism then and now, and heroic acts that defy explanation. Jewish children smuggled under, over and through the ghetto wall, hidden in caskets, ambulances and garbage trucks, are raised as Catholics on Warsaw’s Aryan side, where they are provided an oasis of hope in a desert of madness. Some parents decide it is better for their children to die in gas chambers as Jews than live as Catholics. Amazon’s five-star reviews have praised “Ari’s Spoon” as “Absolutely spellbinding historical n ov e l d e a l i n g w i t h

state of the federation...continued from page 3 each other. We all moved here from May and finished by the end of this calensomewhere else. We have all made wondar year. Supply chain issues, manpower and other delays are possible. So far, the derful new friends through the Federation, including our programing and our delays have been manageable, but no one knows what may or may not happen. wholly-owned subsidiaries, WCA and MCA. We are not like any other FederaThe building is going up, thanks to the entire community. Well over 500 donors tion. We are a very special Federation — a have donated nearly $13 million at this place to make our philanthropic goals a point. There are still wonderful naming reality, a place to make friends, a place to opportunities available. We are now sellgrow culturally and intellectually, and a place to feel part of a community. ing pavers, a wonderful way to remember a loved one, celebrate a simcha or just With COVID starting to recede, we let the world know you support this opened our doors fully March 1. We had new phase of Jewish community. Please partially reopened in December, but then the omicron variant made a brief visit and contact Marcy Friedland at mfriedland@ we closed in-person programming. So, it jewishnaples.org or call her at 239-2634205 to become part of this effort. has been a hybrid programming year. We all There is no way to properly acknowlhope and pray that we will continue to be fully open as we transition into our brandedge Marc Saperstein for his diligence, new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. perseverance, guidance and many thousands of hours he has invested in the planning and execution of the Nina Iser Our new home Jewish Cultural Center. There have been Construction of the Nina Iser Jewish many hiccups as we have moved forward, Cultural Center is rapidly moving along. The plan calls for it to be under roof in and each time, his cool and thoughtful

both the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and contemporary antisemitism. Relevant, emotional and eye opening.” Everyone is invited to attend the Author Book Talk discussion of “Ari’s Spoon” on Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. (ET) via Zoom. Register for this free event at www.jewishnaples.org. This program is brought to you by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and Men’s Cultural Alliance. AUTHOR BOOK DISCUSSION

“ARI’S SPOON” BY DOUGLAS P. ZIPES, MD When: Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. (ET) Where: Zoom

approach has gotten us past the moment. As the building rises, there are decisions, large and small, that are made daily, and it is Marc who makes them. His team, and it’s a big team, has worked with him every step of the way. Merlin Lickhalter, his co-chair (or wing man, as Marc calls him), deserves special acknowledgment. Lickhalter is heading the Art Acquisition Committee. This group of artists and knowledgeable art lovers are deciding what art will be hung in the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. It is a laborious task, but their knowledge is important to make sure the inside of the building will be filled with beauty. Thank you to all of you on the building committee. And thank you for reading this very long, very fact-filled article. Thank you for being a valued and valuable member of our community. Thank you for all you do for our community. Thank you for caring!

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

American Jews and Jewish organizations need remixed Judaism By Roberta Rosenthal Kwall

any American nonOr thodox Je ws are not interested in Jewish practice and ritual. And many younger Jews have even less interest, even in moderate observance, than their parents. Left unchecked, this reality will sink the future of American Judaism. Absent a sustained, deep connection to various elements of Jewish tradition, there will be increasingly fewer Jews to support synagogues and other important philanthropic initiatives of the American Jewish community. We can turn this around with more focus on helping non-Orthodox Jews

organizations. Studies of the deepen their connection to Judaism American Jewish community are clear that we are moving by finding personal meaning in selected far too quickly into a world practices. Relistrongly divided between the deeply religious and the Jewgiously liberal Jews do not necessarily ish “nones.” This is not a world in which our current Jewish respond to the idea o f Di v i n e c o m organizational structure can Roberta mand, but they will survive, let alone thrive. Rosenthal Kwall Roberta Rosenthal Kwall is a observe rituals they find personally meaningful. I call this “remixed” law professor at DePaul University College Judaism and it is of vital importance if of Law. She is the author of “Remix Judaism: Judaism is to remain more than just a Preserving Tradition in a Diverse World” matter of ancestry for the majority of (Roman & Littlefield, 2020, updated American Jews. 2022), and “The Myth of the Cultural Jew: Culture and Law in Jewish Tradition” These conversations need to be spearheaded by both clergy and Jewish (Oxford U. Press, 2015).

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER NAPLES IS HOSTING ROBERTA LIVE ON ZOOM, WHERE SHE WILL DISCUSS HER BOOK. When: Wednesday, June 22 at noon (ET) Where: Zoom Register for this free program at www.jewishnaples.org. You don’t have to read the book to come to the program.

To purchase her book, “Remix Judaism: Preserving Tradition in a Diverse World,” go to https://amzn.to/2kY8gFo.

Jewish Young Professionals of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Meet the new JYP coordinator! By Maya Williams, JYP Coordinator

i! I am Maya Williams, and I am so excited to be the new JYP coordinator here at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. A graduate of the University of Illinois, I am a newbie to the Naples area and am excited to build a Jewish

community for young adults in their 20s-30s. Growing up, I was part of a great Jewish congregation, where I gained an appreciation, understanding and love for Jewish traditions and culture. In college, I found many of my friends and a strong community at

Illini Hillel, where I helped to plan and lead events. I look forward to hosting Shabbat dinners, happy hours, challah bakes — you name it! I would love to hear from you. Email rbialek@jewishnaples.org to reach me.

Maya Williams

We are a community CAMPAIGN 2022 CLOSES JUNE 30 BE A PART OF OUR FAMILY OF DONORS

donate online at https://jewishnaples.org, call (239) 263-4205 or mail your check to Jewish Federation at 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201, Naples, FL 34109

Jewish Federation

AND CHANGE THE WORLD

OF GREATER NAPLES

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

AN OASIS OF HOPE IN A DESERT OF MADNESS The security metal detector screeches when Gabe Goerner carries his infant daughter into Saint Luke Catholic Church for her baptism. The cause is a mysterious silver spoon engraved with Ari Holmberg, 27-2-1943, Warsaw, concealed in the thick double layered hem of her silk baptism gown, a family heirloom. The shocking discovery spirals Gabe’s life through a series of unforgettable events that lead him from contemporary Indianapolis to the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, from underground bunkers to operating rooms, and from the safety of home to the Treblinka death camp. What he finds on his mission forever transforms him. Join us for an Author Book Talk of “Ari’s Spoon.” WHEN: Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. (ET) via Zoom. Amazon’s five-star reviews have praised “Ari’s Spoon:” “Absolutely spellbinding historical novel dealing with both the Warsaw Ghetto There are 3 Ways uprising and contemporary antisemitism. Relevant, emotional andto eye opening.” Join the MCA!

OF GREATER NAPLES

1. Visit the website at www.MCAnaples.org. Click on the MCA membership form and complete it. You can pay by credit card or check.

REGISTER FOR THIS FREE EVENT AT WWW.JEWISHNAPLES.ORG. 2. Send an email with your name, email address and phone number to joinMCA@MCAnaples.org. 3. Mail your name, email address and phone number to Larry Israelite, 8820 Savona Court, Naples, FL 34119. Dues for current year are $90 and include membership in the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

Jewish Community Relations Council closes season with flurry of activity By Jeﬀ Zalasky, JCRC Chair

he primary mission of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is to promote and enhance relationships between the Jewish community and the general community of Greater Naples. JCRC participates in many programs with several groups with whom it collaborates. In support of that goal, JCRC schedules speakers on relevant issues, and sponsors and organizes activities that promote religious freedom, separation of religion from government and social justice issues. Six committees under the JCRC umbrella work extremely hard to achieve those goals. A short explanation of the focus of those committees as well as what they have done recently is provided below.

program. Dr. David Dalin spoke at Temple Shalom and, virtually, on March 22, 2022, about the eight Jewish justices that have been on the United States Supreme Court. Dr. Dalin also discussed the Jewish background and legacies of those Jewish justices, with a particular focus on the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer. Dr. Dalin is a Senior Research Fellow at Brandeis University and is a widely published scholar of American Jewish history. His most recent book, “Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court: From Brandeis to Kagan,” is the first book on the history of the eight Jewish justices. This was a wellattended event featuring a renowned speaker.

The Stand Up for Justice Committee (SUFJ)

The Catholic Jewish Dialogue Committee (CJD)

Chaired by Beth Povlow, the SUFJ Committee considered submissions by several educators for this year’s grant. The goal of SUFJ is to be a resource for educators of any discipline, assisting them to incorporate strategies that promote understanding and respect among students and emphasize the elimination of bigotry and bullying. Potential recipients of this grant are teachers, guidance counselors, school librarians, media specialists, school psychologists and administrators. This year, the SUFJ Committee selected five grant winners. Each was notified about their selection with a surprise visit by Beth Povlow and/or Ida Margolis, SUFJ Committee members, at the school where they work. Grant winners were invited to attend the Power of Community Celebration on March 29, 2022, where their grants were given. The two first-place grant winners received $1,500. The three honorable mention winners received a grant of $500.

The Human Needs Committee The Cardozo Society is formed as a way to network the many existing and new Jewish attorneys in our legal community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples continues to reach out to raise awareness through this association of Jewish attorneys promoting professionalism, cooperation, and identification with our Jewish community. For more information contact Joshua Bialek at

jbialek@porterwright.com

OF GREATER NAPLES

This committee is chaired by Liz Jaffe. At the time this year’s recipients were selected, it was chaired by Judi Palay. This committee looks for nonprofit 501(C)(3) organizations that provide a service to the entire community. This is another way for Jews in Collier County, as represented by JFGN, to practice tikkun olam — “bettering the world.” This year’s award winners were the STARability Foundation and Cultivate Abundance. The STARability Foundation provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead meaningful and productive lives. Cultivate Abundance addresses food needs and other livelihood challenges in lowincome, migrant farmworker communities of Southwest Florida and beyond. Both organizations received grants of $2,500 at the Power of Community Celebration and representatives of both organizations were invited to appear in person to receive their grants.

The Day of Learning Committee

Chaired by Joel Pittelman, the committee organized this year’s Day of Learning

The purpose of CJD, chaired by Luba Rotstain and Martin Gauthier, is to engage Catholics and Jews in understanding our long history and to advance the cause of mutual understanding and appreciation for our differences as well as our commonalities. CJD organized a series of lectures and sponsored several events, including the annual Kristallnacht Memorial on Nov. 7, 2021, which was a huge success. On April 3, 2022, CJD brought in a national speaker, Rabbi Skorka, who spoke about his 25-year friendship with Pope Francis that began when he was a bishop in Buenos Aires and continues to this day.

The Anti-Semitism Task Force

This committee, chaired by Joel Pittelman, monitors acts of antisemitism in the Greater Naples area. If there is an incident involving antisemitic behavior, Joel is the first line of defense — the first person to act to ensure the proper authorities are notified and to help those subjected to it.

The Legislative Affairs Committee

Committee chair Betty Schwartz monitors pending legislation in area city councils, local county commissioners and at the state and federal levels. She alerts JCRC, Federation and the Jewish community to those issues she believes could have a significant impact on the Jewish community, doing her best to help reach a consensus in the Jewish community on the position we should take on significant proposed legislation. While JCRC had its COVID-19 challenges in the 2021/2022 year, we strived to offer stimulating, informative, worthwhile programs to members of our Jewish community as well as to members not connected to the Jewish community. We look to continue what we accomplished this year and expand things even further next year. If you get an opportunity, please thank the JCRC Committee chairs and their committee members for the work they do. They put in a lot of time and effort trying to promote your interests and building stronger ties with our non-Jewish neighbors. We look forward to a tremendous 2022/2023 year!.

May 2022

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May 2022

JEWISH FEDERATION

David Dalin discusses Jewish Supreme Court justices JCRC Day of Learning By Joel Pittelman

he Jewish Community Relations Council’s seventh annual Day of Learning was held on March 22. It was the Federation’s first in-person community-wide gathering since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the more than 80 people who gathered at Temple Shalom, approximately 100 households registered to watch the program via live stream. The Day of Learning (which was actually held in the evening) featured a presentation by Rabbi David Dalin, a senior research fellow at Brandeis University. Dr. Dalin discussed the eight Jewish justices who have served on the United States Supreme Court. As part of his remarks, Dr. Dalin described the differences between the Senate confirmation processes that were experienced by the early Jewish Justices as compared to the confirmation process today. He explained that, in all instances, the religious affiliation of the candidates was well known, but that the earlier Justices were confronted with a different tone when their religious faith was discussed. Dr. Dalin also addressed the line of occupants of the “Jewish Seat” on the Court and the cause of the temporary interruption of the line of Jewish justices. He talked about the impact that being a Supreme Court justice had on their families as well as the varying degree to which Judaism impacted their lives. Dr. Dalin shared some interesting details of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s tenure and her dedication to her position and provided insight on the effect she might have had on Justice Breyer’s recent decision to step down. Before concluding, Dr. Dalin answered a variety of questions from the audience and from those attending by livestream, who sent in their questions via email. We heard Dr. Dalin’s thoughts on the confirmation process that is currently being conducted in the Senate. He also commented on another distinguished Jewish member of the legal profession,

JFGN President/CEO Jeffrey Feld, Board Chair Jane Schiff, JCRC Chair Jeff Zalasky and Day of Learning Chair Joel Pittelman welcome guest speaker Rabbi David Dalin (second from the right).

Dr. David Dalin

Dr. Dalin signing Myrna Sadowsky’s copy of his book

Thank you to the Day of Learning volunteers! (back): Joel Pittelman, Steve Yussen, Gayle Dorio, Carol Hirsch, Suzann Yussen and Susan Pittelman; (front): Jan Goldman and Elaine Soffer

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, who was nominated to the Supreme Court, but whose confirmation hearings were never held. Attendees were treated to some anecdotes describing events in several of the justices’ legal careers. Many more interesting stories are included in Dr. Dalin’s book, “Jewish Justices of the Supreme Court: From Brandeis to Kagan,” which is available online from Amazon. The JCRC and Jewish Federation express our thanks to Dr. Dalin, to all the volunteers who helped with the event, and to our community for your support of the Day of Learning.

Jeff Zalasky, JCRC Chair

May 2022

Federation Star

ADVERTORIAL

No Palm Trees, Sail Boats or Sunsets...Oh My!

Review by : Andrea Clark Brown Director/Curator UP ART Contemporary It is with great appreciation that the Federation, its contributors and supporters hold the cultural, visual and performing arts in such high esteem as evidenced by the numerous programs and events regularly offered to all throughout Naples. Complementary to this appreciation is the mission of UP ART Contemporary. Unique among Naples’ art galleries it is both a teaching/speaking gallery, i.e. an “other museum” per se as well housing a varied collection of decorative fine art of pointedly high concept and high aesthetics. The collection is vast, colorful and highly representative of the work of its multi-talented artist and writer in residence, John Carroll Long. Open daily, the gallery is worth a visit for the message it hopes to share. Artist Long, originally hails as a Michigan fine artist and humorist who in the late 1990s and early 21st century earned a national and international reputation as a highly published cartoonist and provocateur. Over more than the last decade working from his South Florida studio, Long’s work has vastly expanded and challenged his humor with an intensely focused quest to expose what many skeptics may consider "the scary truth." Long transforms his six decades of insatiable curiosity into artifacts that “nail it” when it comes to expressing attributes of human nature.

His works command an artist’s nearly complete repertoire of techniques and media, allowing his fearless intertwining of modes to defy tradition and conjure up material collaborations that go ahead of the times. Tirelessly cognizant of what is new in social, political, scientific, spiritual and political realms, this is an artist who reads ravenously, listens to the “latest” music and is never without sketch paper or writing pad. Following his practice of “Anything can be anything is the smartest thing ever said; everything is on its way to becoming something else instead”, his broad repertoire elicits artworks of ingenuity and connective power with surprising humor and wit. Humor can be profoundly on point by exposing unforeseen connections between the incongruous or absurd with perfectly common human actions that reveal an unexpected, striking, undeniable truth. Through words, caricature and actions, these provoking synapses between incongruities elicit personal identification, laughter, tears or sighs with one’s own recognition of an imperfect self, as if facing a mirror. Yet often behind writings and artworks of brilliant humor is an artist/author who is a serious student of human nature, global events, human beliefs, histories, movements, philosophies and discoveries, be they physical, spiritual or scientific. These are disciplines and life practices that have an impact on all mankind. More often than not, they have the power to alter our thinking and change our world for good or bad as experiences that touch all in one way or another.

Long’s mastery of both visual and literal narrative through his ongoing production of philosophical writings that accompany and are reciprocally supported by his visual art, show demonstrably that he has often times shed aspects of his prior levity to favor an artistic edge of “unsafe” and non-PC inquiry. His mission: to bring to question an ability or lack thereof of art to have a profound effect on one’s core values. Long’s body of works can offer compelling collisions between opposing schools of thought and the fundamental impact of choices made in this world, such as peace or religion, goodness or greed, science or dogma, equality or politics. Clearly Long’s artworks and writings dare to lead one into a perilous realm of self-reflection as to what might really be, or what we should be all about. Deep though this artist’s messages may be, there is also evoked a kind of childlike simplicity that resonates in a down to-earth, “I get it” manner. What resounds with all collections of artist Long’s artworks is that the breadth of subject matter is both universal and personal. His language is accessible to the man-on-the-street as well as the art savvy. To sum up this artist’s credo: “Aware, Care, Dare and Share.” UP ART Contemporary 340 8th St. S. (Just North of 5th Ave S.) Naples, Florida 34102 (239) 641-3898 www.upartcontemporary.com Open Daily: M-Sat 12-6PM ; Sun 2-6PM

I don’t think we’re in Naples anymore, ToTo... Come see the last poem that the Tin Man wrote to Dorothy...Come see an airplane covered with feathers... Come see an eigth foot woman turn into a tree full of birds...Come see the Remnants of Innocence...Come see what Mickey Mouse looks like if he had been created by Keith Haring or Salvador Dali.

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

The Pope’s rabbi speaks at Naples event By Reneé Bialek, Program Director

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abbi Abraham Skorka, known as the Pope’s Rabbi, was the featured speaker of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue of Collier County in April. CJD is a subcommittee of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was the host. Rabbi Skorka has been friends with Pope Francis since before the Holy Father was elected in 2013. The event in Naples

was a joint effort of the Diocese of Venice in Florida and Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Bishop Frank Dewane, Father Bob Kantor of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Luba Rotsztain and Marty Gauthier, co-chairs of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, and Rabbi Frank Muller spoke at this program. Michael Feldman, member of the CJD, was the emcee. A thank you goes to Richard Price for spearheading this program.

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Federation Star

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

A whole lot of good going on here Kirk Wisemayer Annual Community Campaign Director

s you read this, I will mark my first full year as your Annual Community Campaign Director. My goodness, time really does fly when you are having fun!

“Here for Good” is about all our donors make possible through their gifts to the annual campaign — and those of you who have made gifts have been overwhelmingly generous. The more than $1.52 million already promised demonstrates your commitment to being here for good, but Here for Good is as much or more about how we connect to and engage with one another, the relationships we form and build and how we celebrate these connections and all we accomplish as a Jewish community.

I am very fortunate to work with incredible professionals, leaders and volunteers, and more fortunate still to have met and get to know many, but still too few, of you who make success possible. I look forward to meeting and getting to know many more of you over the months and years ahead. Your attendance and support of our most recent campaign events make it a pleasure and privilege to be a part of the incredible Jewish community you have built and sustain.

Our Women’s Philanthropy luncheon at Artis—Naples on March 7 was a wonderful opportunity, despite a brief burst of rain that sent us running for cover. Almost 100 women of every giving level came together to celebrate and enjoy each other while learning about the inspiring journey of an incredible young leader in her own Jewish Federation and nationally. A few days later, on March 11, almost 40 donors to our Pomegranate Society gathered for Purim in the Park, inspired continued on page 14

Paula Filler, Jewish Federation board member, Annual Community Campaign Chair and Power of Community committee member; Jerry Bogo and Rosalee Bogo, Jewish Federation board member and Major Gifts co-chair; Kirk Wisemayer, Annual Community Campaign Director; Marcia Cohodes, Jewish Federation board member; and husband Dr. David Goldsteen at the Power of Community post-ceremony reception

Lion of Judah and event co-chair Sandy Roth (right) welcomes friend and Ruby Lion Sandra Roth to the service project luncheon at Collier’s Reserve Country Club.

(Above) Almost 100 women enjoyed the beautiful outdoor setting at Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy luncheon at Artis Naples featuring guest speaker and author Simone Knego who shared her inspiring story of leadership and philanthropy.

(Right) Marci Margolis, event committee member, with Linda Lerner, Barbara Ross, Pomegranate Society co-chair Susan Pittelman and event co-chair Carol Mest at the Purim in the Park event at Baker Park

JEWISH FEDERATION

Jewish Federation’s newest Pomegranate, Wendy Israelite, receives her pin from Pomegranate Society co-chair Susan Pittelman.

May 2022

Federation Star

Pomegranate Purim in the Park event co-chairs Felicia Anchor and Carol Mest welcome guest speaker Suzanne Cohn at the March 11 event.

Emerald Lion Estelle Price and Annual Community Campaign chair and Ruby Lion Paula Filler embrace in welcome.

Gail Smith and Nancy Schachtman are welcomed to the Lion of Judah luncheon by Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director and new Lion of Judah Marcy Friedland.

Lions Elaine Landau and Carolyn Lichter with Ruby Lion Lin Klein at the service project luncheon benefiting Youth Haven

Lion of Judah Society and event co-chair and Ruby Lion Dr. Judith Finer-Freedman chats with guests at her table at the Lion of Judah luncheon.

The spirits of Joan Saperstein, Mona Brodsky, Dorothy Schwebel, Eileen Orlow, Charlene Kerner and Peggy Brown weren’t dampened by having to run for cover from the rain at Women’s Philanthropy luncheon.

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

a whole lot of good...continued from page 12 by Suzanne Cohn, who shared her famdeserving award recipients and their famileadership in founding and building ily’s remarkable journey of resilience and lies. Awards were given to Ana Ellis and our Pomegranate Society (Campaign survival during and after the Holocaust. Daniel Isakov (Patricia J. Adkins Youth Achievement Award); and to Collier Following Suzanne’s moving and, yes, Leadership Award); Cultivate Abundance County Sheriff ’s Office, represented uplifting address, all present worked and STARability (Human Needs Award); by Sheriff Kevin Rambosk and Chief together to assemble Purim gift packages educators at local schools, Courtney CasStephanie Spell, for its work keeping us for delivery to local Holocaust survivors sidy, Catherine Crawford, Kathryn Doyle, safe, strengthening positive community or to compose handwritten notes that relations, and for its partnership with JewRomi Rameau and Lindsey Simmons, for were mailed to them before Yom HaStheir innovative work in the classroom to ish Federation in the Shop with a Sheriff hoah to let them know their community dispel antisemitism, bigotry and bullyprogram (Power of Community Award). was thinking of them on this special day ing (Stand Up for Justice Award); Susan Most recently, 110 donors attended the and every day. Major Gifts & Lion of Judah Appreciation Pittelman and Betty Schwartz for their Always a force to be reckoned with, reception on April 5 at Kalea almost 50 of our 95 Lion of Judah Bay. There are 121 donors in donors (yes, we have 31 new Lions in our community who, each year, 2022!) gathered for lunch on March 24 support the annual campaign at at Collier’s Reserve Country Club to hear the Major Gifts level ($5,000 or from Linda Goldfield, executive direcmore), including Lion of Judah tor of Youth Haven, about the center’s women, and whose generosity life-changing and life-saving work with amounts to $1.1 million, or abused and neglected children. 72% of the total campaign. These incredibly generous women They were celebrated because contribute almost half of all we raise of their financial generosity, in our annual campaign. It is a credit but also for the generosity they to them, and to event chairs Dr. Judith extend to our Jewish commuFiner-Friedman, Susie Goldsmith, Rissa nity in many other ways. Many Grossman and Sandy Roth, that this very of these donors contribute special luncheon was both enjoyable and expertise, ideas and countless meaningful, raising more than $8,000 to hours of time in the leadership help renovate the kitchen of one of Youth roles they hold as board and Haven’s residential cottages. In the words committee members, and proof Lion of Judah co-chair Rosalee Bogo, gram and event chairs at Jewish “Long may we roar!” Federation, local synagogues Event co-chair and Sapphire Lion Susie Jewish Federation’s annual Power Goldsmith announces there are now 95 Lion and many other organizations, of Community Celebration took place Jewish and not. of Judah donors in Greater Naples who March 29, attended by more than 120 There is no greater feelcollectively contribute almost $900,000 members of the community, including ing than the palpable sense to the annual campaign.

Jeffrey Feld (center), President & CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, presents recipients of the Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award, Ana Ellis and Daniel Isakov, with their awards at the Power of Community celebration.

of community we feel when we come together joyfully at events. It is worth it just to see so many smiling faces. As grateful as Jewish Federation is for your very generous financial support, we are equally or more grateful for the support you show when you walk into a room. This feeling we all, as Jews, love so much is a gift from all those who volunteer on program and event committees, and they each deserve incredible gratitude: Felicia Anchor, Rosalee Bogo, Paula Filler, Cheryl Ginsburg, Susie Goldsmith, Carol Hirsch, Estelle Price, Susan Rabin, Jamie Satz and Phyllis Seaman (Women’s Philanthropy Luncheon); Felicia Anchor, Harriet Berneman, Marci Margolis, Carol Mest, Susan Pittelman and Betty Schwartz (Pomegranate Purim in the Park); Rosalee Bogo, Paula Filler, Dr. Judith Finer-Freedman, Susie Goldsmith, Rissa Grossman, Sandy Roth and Phyllis Seaman (Lion of Judah Service Project Luncheon); Harvey Cohen, Paula Filler, Larry Israelite and Arlene Sobol (Power of Community); and Rosalee Bogo, Paula Filler and Michael Sobol (Major Gifts & Lion of Judah Appreciation). Thank you for being here for good, for celebrating the power of community, and for making Jewish life enriching and meaningful in Greater Naples. To learn more about how you can participate in campaign and community, as a donor and as a volunteer, please contact me at kwisemayer@jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205.

Chief Stephanie Spell (center), ﬂanked by Sheriff Kevin Rambosk (right) and Jewish Federation President & CEO Jeffrey Feld, holds the Power of Community Award presented to Collier County Sheriff’s Office for its partnership.

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Jewish Federation Board Chair Jane Schiff (center) congratulates the inaugural recipients of the Campaign Achievement Award, Betty Schwartz (left) and Susan Pittelman, at Power of Community.

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Federation Star

(Left) Board member Joel Pittelman and Susan Pittleman (Pomegranate co-chair) with Stephen Iser and Rita Bernstein enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting at Kalea Bay.

(Right) Board member Robin Mintz and husband Andy Mintz at the Major Gifts & Lion of Judah reception with Joan and Marc Saperstein, who serves on the board and as chair of the building committee for Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

Lion of Judah Arlene Sobol with husband Michael Sobol, event co-chair and president-elect of MCA

Lion of Judah donors Goldie Bertone and Paula Filler were all smiles at seeing each other and celebrating community at the Major Gifts & Lion of Judah Appreciation reception at Kalea Bay.

Board member and Ben Gurion Society chair Michael Rubenstein with Mariah Mulhauser

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Why not dance? By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

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Yom Yerushalayim Celebrate Jerusalem Day!

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years old, we can still find new om Yerushalayim — occasions in which to rejoice and Jerusalem Day — is the celebrate together. most recently added Although Jerusalem Day is holiday to the Hebrew calnot celebrated widely outside endar. It commemorates the of Israel, we all could learn reunification of Jerusalem something from this uniquely under Jewish sovereignty. Israeli holiday. When a moment This 1967 victory of the Six is meaningful to us, we should Day War marked the first Alicia Feldman publicly and voraciously celtime in thousands of years ebrate it. We that all of Jerushould look s al e m c am e for things that under Jewish control. Most are new and wonderful in n o t a b l y, i t life and allow allowed Jews the best parts to be the focus. In a time of access to the holiest parts of the city, uncertainty, we can take a page from our especially the Western Wall, a remnant Israeli cousins to find and appreciate the of the ancient Temple. joy in life. Let’s all find a reason to dance! In Israel, this joyous day is marked I hope to see everyone at our Yom with men, women and children of all ages Yerushalayim Park Playdate on Sunfilling the streets. This celebration is called “The Dance of Flags,” where participants day, May 15, 3 p.m. at the “Can You Dig It” playground where we can enjoy dance, sing and pray together while each other’s company and celebrate the waving the Israeli flag. It is wonderful holiday together. that, in a faith which is nearly 4,000

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Federation Star

May 2022

Meet the Schwartz family PJ family spotlight By Alicia Feldman, PJ Library Coordinator

: Tell me about the Schwartz family. A: We are Melanie and Stephen Schwartz. We have four children: Jessica (20), Reid (17), Oliver (turning 12) and Eliza (8). Q: How long has your family been in Naples? A: We moved around quite a bit before settling in Naples 17½ years ago. We came to Naples from Richmond, Virginia. Previously, we were in Houston for Stephen’s Baylor Fellowship while Melanie worked for Chase Bank. Before that, we were in NYC. Q: What do you think about the quality of PJ Library books? A: The book quality is excellent. Some are more popular than others in our home, especially ones that are specifically about holidays and life events. Occasionally, there are books that are about holidays less familiar to us. Q: What do you like about PJ Library books? A: We appreciate that the books are not only educational but very relatable and told from a place of warmth and inclusiveness. They are very bright and colorful, present and honest but with an optimistic viewpoint.

Q: Do you belong to a synagogue? If so, which one? A: Our family is involved in the Jewish community. We are members and worship at Temple Shalom. It is where our children are engaged in Religious

attending Temple Shalom Preschool and our two youngest attended Preschool of the Arts at Chabad of Naples. We like to attend holidays and activities at both synagogues. Q: Are you involved in the Jewish community in Naples? If so, how? A: Our older two children have been involved in BBYO activities. Reid has served on the BBYO board. As a teenager, our oldest daughter, Jessica, was also involved in BBYO and has served on various committees. She is currently enrolled at Rollins College where she attends Hillel. Our children attended Jewish summer day camps and attend Jewish sleepaway camps. We do enjoy attending Federation events when possible.

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Melanie & Stephen Schwartz, together with their four children, Jessica (20), Reid (17), Oliver (turning 12) and Eliza (8)

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Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Israel will be there No need to call By Monica Goodwin, Israel Advocacy Committee member

srael reminds me of, “ta ra ra ra r, who you going to call? (Ghostbusters!).” It does not wait to be called; it jumps at any chance it has to help the world. With the present situation in Ukraine, we must all be wondering what this world is coming to and, to many, it brings back bad memories. Ukraine was one of the largest centers of Jewry. As of a few days ago, 200,000 Jews lived in Ukraine. Israel is exceptional in its humanitarian efforts all over the world, whether in Haiti, Africa, Afghanistan or even in a Florida town where a building collapsed, etc. Israel rushes to give humanitarian aid and help whenever and wherever it can; and that is what is happening today vis a vis the human disaster in Ukraine. Many in Israel feel a personal connection as they themselves were once refugees from Ukraine and Russia, some having survived the Holocaust. Israel does have to walk a tight wire between giving aid to Ukrainian citizens and its political stance towards Russia. Naftali Bennett says, “We are managing this unfortunate crisis sensitively, generously and responsibly, while balancing the different considerations — and they are complex.” It must stay neutral and be useful as a negotiator with Russia. We have all been following the political situation and Prime Minister Bennett’s efforts to negotiate with Russia, so I would like to concentrate on the humanitarian aspect.

Perhaps more than ever, Jews are relating to the situation and the outpouring of money and help from a multitude of organizations is outstanding. It is largely Israeli organizations on the ground, at times working with other world organizations, most of whom are listed below. The stories are endless. “We are deeply concerned by the devastating humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Once again, we are seeing a potential influx of large numbers of refugees in Europe who need urgent support,” states Yotam Polizer, head of IsraAid, Israel’s leading nongovernmental humanitarian aid organization. “For many years now, we have worked with refugees in Europe and around the world, and our focus will be on ensuring the most vulnerable Ukrainians seeking safety have access to urgent supplies and support. Our team will stay in Moldova for as long as we are needed and will deploy to other Ukraine border countries as the situation develops” The IsraAid emergency delegation located in Moldova will provide psychological support in addition to hygiene kits and additional emergency equipment for refugees. El Al passengers, including two doctors and two Russian-speaking nurses, on a flight to Bucharest, acted as couriers taking boxes containing medicine, baby food and diapers to refugees arriving in Romania. The IDF is assisting new immigrants from both Russia and Ukraine in the

absorption process. So far, 8,000 refugees have arrived and many more are expected. Israel is providing medical services, health insurance and enrollment in the education system. Tel Aviv, the Hebrew University and Haifa University have launched a fund for 100 Ukrainians to receive scholarships and access to counseling and accommodations. NATAN has opened a health clinic in Poland near the border and provides medical care and counseling. The Euro Asian Jewish Congress is assisting in the absorption of refugees in Moldovan border areas. 100 orphans arrived in Israel and were welcomed. At least 85% of workers show up to bring comfort to the elderly. Twelve Haredi members of Israel’s ZAKA rescue organization have been working in Lviv, providing food to all who need it and evacuating Jews to Israel. In its buildings, refugees can sleep, shower and take their kids to playrooms. At the start of the conflict, Israel was praised for rescuing hundreds of its Arab citizens, including many Israeli Bedouin Muslims. Israel also rescued a Gazan, an Iranian, a Syrian and several Moroccans. Israel airlifted some 17 tons of equipment to build its $6.5 million “Kochav Meir” (Shining Star), a (Ukraine field hospital that is expected to treat around 100 patients per day. (It was named after Golda Meir, who was born in Ukraine).

Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said, “This is the least we can do to help the Ukrainian people in the face of a brutal Russian Invasion.” Magen David Adom is sending four bulletproof ambulances to Ukraine. Christians United for Israel are also helping. Cognizant of the past, “Never again must be more than a slogan; we must act now to protect our Jewish brethren.” Shalom Corps Tag and Brit Olam are working in cooperation with Chabad House in Zhytomyr. NICEF Israel is also helping children in Ukraine. I think we should all be proud of Israel and what it is doing today. It is inclusive and global, caring for all human beings regardless of race or nationality. As Naftaly Bennet stated, “Today I want to say clearly, Israel and the Israeli public can be proud of the aid and contribution of the State of Israel to the citizens of the Ukraine. There are not many countries who have done as much.” I find it sad that the media does not highlight, or at times even mention, all that Israel does, but then Israel, and we as Jews, do not do it for accolades but for Tikkun Olam and a sense of justice. The IAC attempts to bring you articles that shed light on some of what Israel does. I think we should all be proud of what it is doing today. We look forward to seeing you at our events and thank you for your interest.

IAC speaker Avi Melamed analyzes the current Middle East By Harvey Cohen and Jeﬀ Margolis

rinking from a firehose was never more real than at the Israel Advocacy Committee’s March 15 lecture by Avi Melamed of Jerusalem. Melamed, a former Israel intelligence official and senior official on Arab affairs, held IAC’s first in-person program since COVID-19 at Beth Tikvah, with a large livestreaming audience joining. The dynamics of the Middle East are entering a new era, observed Melamed. He highlighted the recent Abraham Accords as well as what he believes is the end of Western hegemony in the region and the new role China is playing. Melamed also spelled out the ongoing ideological struggle of the Sunni and the Shi’ites in the region as they try to establish who should rule the Muslim world. Melamed’s observations noted that, in a newly aligned Middle East, Israel is not the enemy. He noted the new relationship

between Israel and Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia as well as with Egypt and Jordan — two nations that had previous peace agreements with Israel. He questioned the future roles of both Iran and Turkey in the new paradigm. Melamed’s lecture stimulated a robust question and answer period from the audience. In the United States for his book tour, Melamed previewed and paraphrased material from his work, “Inside the Middle East, Entering A New Era.” This program was brought to you by the IAC of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Thank you to Beth Tikvah for hosting and providing refreshments. The Israel Advocacy Committee of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is in the process of planning programs and events for next season. If you have a suggestion for a program, please contact Harvey Cohen, IAC chair at hwcohen@gmail.com.

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS?

Keep the Federation Star coming to your home. Email Jhudak@jewishnaples.org

Josh E. Fidler (President-elect of The Associated Jewish Charities, Inc.), Avi Melamed (speaker), Jane Schiff (Board Chair of JFGN), Maia Hoffman (Avi’s wife and co-author of book) and Jeffrey Feld (President/CEO of JFGN)

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Federation Star

What’s your plan? By Leslie Lilien

tanding in the emergency room, they kept asking me, “What’s your plan? He may die. You need to sign these papers for surrogacy.” My head began to spin. But I am already his surrogate. Stunned, I thought, “My husband only fell and hit his head.” Paralyzed? Quadriplegic? For life!? Surgery?” “Mrs. Lilien, what’s your plan?” There are times when we all need help. Incidents happen. We are in shock, dealing with trauma and don’t know which way to turn. Even when the trauma has passed or when dealing with a chronic disability or condition, we want to rely on the people we think should have our back, not make a plan! On Dec. 4, 2012, my husband, Richard, who was alone in our home, fell down and hit his head on his desk where he laid in a pool of blood, in and out of consciousness for a few hours until a neighbor found him. I did not plan on my husband being a quadriplegic, so, no, I didn’t have a plan. In that moment, life shifted forever, and I began the process of becoming the best advocate I could be for my husband. This on-the-job education became our lifeline and my calling. Over the nine years since Richard’s accident, my advocacy experience and strength has grown. I find myself becoming the disciplined voice required for dealing with

different personalities and opinions of doctors, nurses, case workers and hospital administration. Just like my voice, my leadership qualities get a familiar workout, navigating the ever-changing health insurance conundrum of billing, codes and medical jargon; the fast paced, overworked environment; treatment and therapy research; and financial decisions while ensuring the medical team is honoring family decisions with our patient’s care plan. It’s heartbreaking that families have to deal with bureaucracy while under pressure or sick and tired in times of concern and stress. Would you know what to sign and what not to sign when you are in the emergency room, hospital or at the doctor’s office? I needed help understanding and navigating when my family was in crisis mode. Lifting the burden from the patient and easing family care burnout taught me to become a medical advocate with a clear vision, a good listening ear and a strong voice. And it blew open my heart’s commitment to help Richard and those who seek patient medical advocacy and emotional support so they can focus on healing. Richard now has the best care in the world and is in the best place for his needs. I am called to be of service to patients and their families and to help educate others

on what to do to prepare for a potential unknown medical crisis, long-term illness or simple medical and insurance issues. I am passionate about bridging the gap between families and the medical system, helping patients and their loved ones navigate a chronic illness or crisis emergency care, with an understanding of patient rights and the complicated medical system’s tests and jargon. I keep them organized and updated so that they can stay focused on the most important element in this relationship, the patient!

My dream is to find other like-minded people who want to help me help others. Who do you know? Do you have resources, health care, financial and legal referrals? If so, join me in my dream of making life a little easier for families in their time of need. And, if you have a story to share, I want to be here to listen to you. You can contact me at 239-4045984 or email me at Leslielilienfamily advocate@gmail.com.

INTRODUCING SEASCAPE AT NAPLES Here you’ll find the perfect combination of life enrichment and relaxation as part of your community experience.

• 24/7 on-site licensed nurses and full-time management nurses

• All utilities including phone, cable and Wi-Fi

• Delicious, nutritious meals prepared by our executive chef, served in a restaurant-like setting with tableside beer and wine service

• Leash on Life – pet concierge services

• RUI University programming for continuing education • I2 Construction - steel and concrete structural frame

• Private dining room available with reservations

• Generator in the case of a power outage

• A full life enrichment calendar

• Spacious studios, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments with full kitchen options

• LUXE Unlimited - salon manicure service and hairstylists • Library, theatre, and bistro • RUI FIT programming and gym • Physical, occupational and speech therapy on-site • Outdoor pool with putting green

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• Housekeeping and laundry services • Scheduled transportation

LOCATED IN NAPLES

CALL 239.354.7081 OR EMAIL TARA.SILIC@RUI.NET TO SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR TODAY! 3490 THRIVE DRIVE • NAPLES, FL 34105 • 239.354.7081 • WWW.RUI.NET/SEASCAPEATNAPLES

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

MEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

www.MCANaples.org / 516.356.2897

The passing of MCA Founder Steve Brazina By Jeﬀ Margolis

t is with profound and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Steve Brazina, founder and first president of the Men’s Cultural Alliance of Greater Naples (MCA). Steve, along with a group of 30 original members, began to assemble and grow the preeminent men’s organization in Collier County. He was the driving force in researching and engaging speakers for the popular monthly luncheon programs. He also was the creative spirit behind the greatly popular documentary film series. Steve was the recipient of the first Dick Janger Award for his dedication and drive in the establishment of MCA. Thanks to him and the other charter members, MCA grew to a pre-pandemic membership of over 750. In addition to his many hats at MCA, Steve served as co-chair of the Israel Advocacy Committee, program chair at the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center and program chair for the Movies that Matter series. May his memory be for a blessing.

New ofﬁcers

MCA is pleased to announce its new slate of elected officers for the coming season: President – Michael Sobol Secretary – Burt Blomquist Treasurer – Spencer Forman Program Chair – Les Nizin Membership Chair – Ira Kushner Communications/Technology Chair – Larry Israelite

Congratulations to the new Board. We wish them much success as we head into the new season.

Upcoming events

MCA’s Golf Outing will take place on Wednesday, May 4, 9 a.m. at Pelican Sound Golf Course (4569 Pelican Sound Blvd.). The cost is $38 per player. Foursomes will be created based on handicap. For those interested, we will be dining afterwards at the club Join world traveler and raconteur Jim Sernovitz as his monthly travelogue series takes us on a journey to southern India on Tuesday, May 10 at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom. Many Americans have been to northern India, but few go to the south. Come with us as we visit a very different part of the world that is home to millions. Registration can be made via the Wild Apricot portal. Those of you who have signed up for previous lectures need not register again. The MCA Book Discussion group will hold its monthly get-together via Zoom on Thursday, May 12 at 2:30 p.m. This month’s selection is “The Children Act” by Ian McEwen, one of Britain’s top novelists. The author tells the story of a principled family court judge who wrestles with difficult decisions even as her own marriage is under threat. For more information, contact group leader Stan Farb at stan4mignon@earthklink.com. For the MCA outdoor activities that will continue through the spring and summer, please check your weekly e-blast

and/or with your activity coordinators for schedules and details. Many thanks to outgoing president Les Nizin, who has served as President of the MCA for the past six years, and to the members of the Board of Directors

for their untiring efforts in leading the MCA during the difficult months of the pandemic. To those members leaving us for the summer, safe travels and we look forward to seeing you when you return in the fall.

There are 3 Ways to Join the MCA!

1. Visit the website at www.MCAnaples.org. Click on the MCA membership form and complete it. You can pay by credit card or check.

There are 3 Ways to Join the MCA!

2. Send an email with your name, email address and 1. Visit the website at www.MCAnaples.org. Click on the MCA membership phone number to joinMCA@MCAnaples.org. form and complete it. You can pay by credit card or check.

an your email with your email name, email addressand and phone number to 3.2. Send Mail name, address phone number joinMCA@MCAnaples.org. to Larry Israelite, 8820 Savona Court, Naples, 3. Mail your name, email address and phone number to Larry Israelite, FL 34119. 8820 Savona Court, Naples, FL 34119.

Dues for current year are $90 and include membership Dues for the current year are $90 and include membership in Jewish in the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Federation of Greater Naples.

Candle lighting times May 6: 7:43 p.m.

May 20: 7:51 p.m.

May 13: 7:47 p.m.

May 27: 7:54 p.m.

Federation Star Publication Policy The Federation Star is a subsidized arm of JFGN. Its purpose and function is to publicize the activities and programs of Federation as well as ongoing activities of recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples. The goal of JFGN is to reach out and unite all Jews of the Greater Naples area. While differing opinions and points of view exist on many issues of importance to Jews, the Federation Star will confine itself to publishing only items that report the facts of actual events of concern to Jews and offer commentary that clearly intends to unite all Jews in a common purpose.

Critical or derogatory comments directed at individuals or organizations will not be published. To avoid misunderstandings, controversies and destructive divisions among our people, the Oﬃcers and Board of Trustees of Federation have adopted the following publication policy: Advertisements: All advertisements, regardless of their sponsor, shall be paid for in full, at the established rates, prior to publication. The contents of all advertisements shall be subject to review and approval of the Federation board or its designee. Commercial advertisers may make credit arrangements with the

advertising manager, subject to the approval of the Federation board. Regular Columns: Regular columns shall be accepted only from leaders (Rabbis, Presidents, Chairs) of established and recognized Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and the designated chairs of the regular committees of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Special Announcements: Special announcements shall be accepted from established Jewish organizations in Greater Naples and may, at the discretion of the Federation board, be subject to the conditions applicable to paid advertisements, as set forth above.

News Items: Only those news items pertaining to matters of general interest to the broadest cross section of the Jewish community will be accepted for publication. Note: Items of controversial opinions and points of view about political issues will not be accepted for publication without prior approval of a majority of the Federation Oﬃcers and Trustees. All persons and organizations objecting to the actions and rulings of the Editor or Publications Committee Chair shall have the right to appeal those rulings to the Oﬃcers and Board of Trustees of JFGN.

JEWISH FEDERATION

WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE

May 2022

Federation Star

www.wcanaples.org / 518.852.3440

WCA is building a community of friendship By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

(credit: Nate Lane Photography)

e a l l k n ow h ow important friends are! As Rabbi Susan Nanus emphasized at our virtual Community of Friendship event in February, “Friendship is a necessity for a meaningful and happy life.” One of the greatest gifts of WCA membership is the many opportunities to meet other women. With so many new arrivals in Southwest Florida, WCA’s wide variety of interest groups, Susan Pittleman and Susan Pittelman finally met, programs and special events prothanks to WCA. Wendy Cohen and Jane Schiff reconnected at a WCA event. vide members multiple ways to to Camp Beber in Wisconsin and ended Bonita Arts connect with other women. Last summer, up at the University of Miami. Hilary Center by WCA formed a Young Women’s Division, and I met in fall 2018, when our daughsending my to help women 60 years old and younger ters ran into each other at Bed Bath & check to meet and develop friendships. Beyond. Hillary and I discovered that a We n d y Members often share surprising Naples was a common denominator for Cohen. and serendipitous stories of how WCA us. She had recently moved to Naples, She and I has facilitated connecting with old and I was dating someone from Naples. exchanged friends. Enjoy reading some of these We were both excited, as neither of us a few emails WCA “coincidences” that rekindled or knew anyone in Naples, so we made about the sparked friendships. dinner plans. Then COVID hit. Fast event. WCA President Patti Boochever told forward 2½ years … I got engaged, “On the me that when she was reviewing who was which meant spending a lot more time appointed coming to a New Member Coffee last in Naples without knowing anyone, and evening, year, she spotted the name of a former I joined WCA. Then, thanks to Shelly I drove to neighbor who had moved away years Patti Boochever (right) spotted her former member’s name, Bell, WCA started the Younger Women’s the Bonita ago. Patti explained that she had no idea Division. At the first event, a dinner in fall Arts Center, Cheryl Ginsburg (left) on the list for a WCA New Member Coffee. Cheryl Ginsburg had moved to Naples. of 2021, Hilary came up to me and said having no idea where the class was being mutual friend Davie? That Wendy The two old friends (and carpool moms) that she thinks we know each other. The held. As I roamed the center, I became Monroe? I looked closely and yes, it was quickly reconnected. rest is history!” anxious as it was well after the starting that Wendy Monroe. With huge relief, New member Patty Chodosh moved Dana added, “I have met several time. Eventually, I found the proper room I knew I was in the right place.” to Naples not knowing anyone. She women through WCA Younger Division, and, still feeling very uptight, entered I personally am indebted to WCA explained, “Prior to experiencing my first where there’s only one or two degrees the room and looked around. Everyone for helping me connect with the “Pittlewinter as a snowbird from Minnesota, of separation — kids, college, mutual was already busily working on their man clan” from Washington D.C. When it was suggested that I join the WCA. friends. I love that about the Jewish combracelets, and I knew I was very late. Shellie Specter coordinated the WCA Imagine my surprise when I received a munity! Before joining WCA, I didn’t “I stood, somewhat frozen in place. Membership Directory several years ago, message from a long-lost friend from 30 know anyone. But now, I’ve met some A woman came up to me and, with she called to tell me that there was another years ago that read, ‘I just saw the WCA wonderful women and have a terrific warm familiarity, said, ‘Hi! Jane.’ Susan Pittelman! I had known that she birthday list with your name. Could it group of friends in Naples!” I know I looked like a deer caught in had existed, but I had no idea that Susan be?’ Thanks to WCA, we have plans to Federation Board Chair Jane Schiff the highlights and she then said, ‘I’m and her husband were in Naples! We meet and rekindle our friendship. WCA has her own entertaining story! She Wendy Cohen.’ I said ‘Hi, nice to meet have gotten together many times and are not only has wonderful programs, but relayed, “I arrived in Bonita Springs you.’ She said ‘Jane, you know me, I’m thrilled to have cousins, albeit distant also brings women together in the most knowing only one person other than my Wendy Monroe.’ What went through my ones, in Naples. unusual ways.” husband. Calling Federation, I was led head was, Wendy Monroe from Maryland As one new member so aptly expressed Dana Strull shared a story about to WCA and went to a few events and Avenue Public School, which I left in at a WCA New Member Coffee, how she and Hilary Marks reconmet some lovely women. I signed up for fifth grade to go a different school? “I have finally found my groove with nected through WCA Younger Division. a WCA bracelet-making lesson at the Wendy Monroe, who I hung out with our this group.” Dana explained, “Our kids both went

“Find YOUR Groove”

in WCA’s Community of Friendship If you are not already a member, JOIN today. If you are a member, RENEW your dues now. Visit WCAnaples.org and click on MEMBERSHiP. Your membership will be good through August 2023

QUESTIONS? Contact Membership Director Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Paving the way for the Niner Iser Jewish Cultural Center By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

odah Rabah to the following donors who have purchased one or more brick pavers to grace the plaza area to the left of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center entrance.

Interested in adding your name to the list in one of our upcoming issues? Contact me at mfriedland@ jewishnaples.org or 239-263-4205.

Brick Paver donors as of March 31, 2022 Marlene & Nate Apkon Gisela & Richard Miller Tracy & Michael Askotzky Modern Playwrights Carole Berkowitz Laurie & Barry Nagler Harriet & Louis Berneman Gail & Les Nizin Patti & Pete Bloom Harvey Oriel Betsy Borden Judi Palay Sandy & Alan Burton Karen & Jerry Pam Janet & Saul Cooperman Susan & Joel Pittelman Barbara Shagan Dave Iris & Steven Podolsky Deangelis Diamond Judit & Richard Price Susan & Phil Dean Estelle Rauch Gayle & Marty Dorio June Streisand & John Reiches Linda & Larry DuKatz Ilene Rich Shelley & Steve Einhorn Mae Riefberg Alicia & Michael Feldman Dale & Steven Riemer In Memory of David Fisher (z”l)* Susan & Nathaniel Ritter Jerry Flagel Jennifer & Kenny Roller Jennifer & Marc Fleischer Judy & Sam Roth Jane & Lester Friedberg Betty & Jim Rubenstein Nancy & Darryl Garfinkel Jacqueline Sallade Deb & Bert Geller Katie & Michael Sarnoff Barbara & Gene Goldenziel Eleanor & Neil Scheﬄer Janice Goldman Linda & Shepard Scheinberg Joel Goldman Jane Schiff Helene & Alan Gordon Shelley & Mark Schloss Carole Greene Caroline & Bill Schulhof Sherry & Howard Greenfield Gay & David Silberg Lenore Greenstein Cathy & Scott Silver Bobbi & Randy Heiligman Sisterhood of Temple Shalom Carol & Burton Hirsch Stacy Sokol Susan & Michael Horowitz Merrill & Andrew Solan Arline Kaplan Leslie & Mel Springman In Honor of Lisa & Dale Katz* Sandi Stern In Memory of Mary Kauffman (z”l)* Shira & Bryan Swartz In Honor of Deborah Kohler* Fahn & Denny Tishkoff Elaine & Richard Landau Michelle Levine Troupp Helaine & Marvin Lender Goldie & Kenneth Wetcher Anna & Yale Levin Karen Wilner Arlene Levin Lauri & Steven Wishner Dorothy Magen Suzann & Steve Yussen Ida & Jeff Margolis Judy & Jeff Zwicker Carol & Stuart Mest * Group Gift

A. Stephen Kotler

BRICK PAVER ORDER FORM Donor Information Name _____________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City _____________________________ State ________ Zip Code _____________ Email ____________________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________________________ Donation Amount (S) ________________________________________________ Indicate how you want your engraved brick to read, using the grid below for the size brick you are purchasing. Each square is the space for one letter or number. 12” x 12” Engraved Brick – room for 8 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($1,800)

8” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 6 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($720)

BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST IN WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATES

• Medicaid Planning • Elder Law and Special Needs Planning • Estate Planning and Probate

4” x 8” Engraved Brick - room for 3 lines of text with 20 characters per line ($360)

Kotler Law Firm P.L. (239) 325-2333

999 VANDERBILT BEACH ROAD, SUITE 200, NAPLES, FL 34108

Make your check payable to JFGN and send it, with this completed form, to: JFGN, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201, Naples, FL 34109.

JEWISH FEDERATION

Federation Star

May 2022

A photographic update of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center by Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

he new entrance to the campus for Temple Shalom and Federation is completed and open for members. The previous entrance to

Temple Shalom has been changed to a right turn exit only. It is expected that the building will be under roof by May, at which

time the interior work will begin. We are offering hard hat tours to all donors who contributed to a naming opportunity.

You can still get in on that, too. We have some wonderful naming opportunities available, starting at $5,000, which can be pledged over five years.

JFGN Board members tour the new building.

Community room and patios

Lobby wall

Loggia and plaza area

MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 24

Federation Star

JEWISH FEDERATION

May 2022

Education wing

Program hallway

IT’S TOO LATE COMMUNITY FOCUS

HERE FOR GOOD IF YOU HAVEN’T ALREADY DONE SO, YOU CAN STILL CONTRIBUTE TO CAMPAIGN 2022 May 2022

Federation Star

HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & JANET G. AND HARVEY D. COHEN EDUCATION CENTER www.HMCEC.org / 239.263.9200

Making a difference in our community Susan Suarez President & CEO CREDIT: DELL RIVER IMAGERY

appy spring! In addition to bringing warmer temperatures and flowers, spring always makes us hopeful. Hopeful that we can make a difference in some way to make life better for ourselves, families and communities. We hope our world becomes more peaceful, particularly this spring, with the war raging in Ukraine and an increase in violence in our cities and towns. Anthropologist Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” What kind of difference will you make? We seek to make a difference in the lives of those with whom we interact through our education programs, tours and events. By sharing the lessons of the Holocaust, we encourage students and members of the public to take a stand and act against bigotry, hatred and violence. We also hope that they will share what they learn here with their families and friends, thereby making an even greater difference in their communities.

Educator study trip

Good news! The educator study trip is scheduled for early June, after a two-year delay due to COVID. Thanks to generous contributions from our GenShoah members, the Museum is providing

SWFL Christian Academy tour financial assistance to three teachers to go on this learning journey to important sites in Germany and Poland. The trip is organized by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center in White Plains, NY, which has been leading this trip for teachers for many years.

Portraits of Remembrance project

The “Portraits of Remembrance” short stories project, created by members of GenShoah of SWFL, continues to grow. Members have contributed essays about family members, such as a parent or grandparent, who are Holocaust survivors,

GenShoah meeting

as well as those family members who may have perished. The stories are written to be shared with and read by the middle and high school students in our education programs. This brings a personal connection to the history they are studying and assures that the family member’s legacy will not be forgotten. You can see the stories collected to date by visiting our website. GenShoah of SWFL is a group for the children and grandchildren of survivors. If you would like to join and become involved in the “Portraits of Remembrance” project or other programs, please contact me at Susan@HMCEC.org.

Complimentary Museum admission May 8

Each May 8th, we celebrate the day the Allies formally accepted the German forces’ unconditional surrender, ending World War II. In honor of VE Day on Sunday, May 8, we are offering complimentary admission to the Museum. Space is limited, and you must reserve your space ahead of time on our website at www.hmcec.org. This year, May 8th is also Mother’s Day, and all of us at the Museum send best wishes to mothers everywhere! I look forward to seeing you at the Museum!

SWFL Christian Academy

Federation Star

COMMUNITY FOCUS

May 2022

TEMPLE SHALOM

NAPLES SENIOR CENTER

www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030

www.naplesseniorcenter.org / 239.325.4444

Experienced leaders join Naples Senior Center board has been with FGCU since 2014, focusing on social work research and ethics and Dr. Jaclynn social welfare policy and planning. Faffer Felke earned both his Doctor of Philosophy and his master’s in social President/ work from the University of ConCEO necticut School of Social Work in West Hartford, Connecticut. He received a aples Senior Center is excited to Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary announced that it has further and special education from Providence broadened its experienced leadCollege in Providence, Rhode Island. ership with the appointment of supportFelke has been honored with numerous ers Thomas P. Felke, awards and recogniPh.D., MSW and Karen tions, including, most Heithoff to its Board recently, the FGCU of Trustees. Chair Excellence Award The addition of in 2021. these two dedicated Heithoff is an active individuals to the board community leader and adds to the depth of a strong arts advocate in professional expertise Naples and Minneapolis. and community supA seasonal resident of port on it. Their serMinneapolis, Heithoff vice and guidance will was the owner of a fashhelp ensure that Naples ion design store there Senior Center remains for 25 years. She and the leading advocate her husband, Ken, have Thomas P. Felke for s eni ors i n our been avid collectors of community. contemporary art for Felke is associate three decades. Among dean for academics in the other community the Marieb College organization boards on of Health & Human which Heithoff actively Ser vices at Florida serves are Artis—Naples, Gulf Coast Univerthe Walker Art Center, sity (FGCU). He has Midway Contemporary research interests in Art and the human serhealth disparities among vices agency, Perspectives. minority populations, She also has supported food instability and insethe Telluride Film Festicurity issues and interval and the Minneapolis national social welfare, St. Paul International among many others. He Karen Heithoff Film Festival.

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Call or email us today! Naples Move Managers 239-860-3595

Temple Shalom events open to the community By Jeanette Fischer, Temple Shalom Director of Communications

he following Temple Shalom events are open to all.

Torah Talk

Join this lay-led discussion via Zoom of the week’s Torah portion every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. Please contact the Temple Shalom office at info@ naplestemple.org for the Zoom link.

Jewish Yoga

Yoga teacher Missy Balsam guides you through an all-levels gentle yoga stretch session via Zoom. The class is interwoven with Jewish spiritual teachings, designed to relieve stress and calm the mind. This class will be practiced lying down and seated on the floor. Open to all; no experience necessary. The cost is $54 for an 8-week session. The next session begins on Monday, May 2 at 10:30 a.m. Call the Temple Shalom office to register and receive the Zoom information.

To:

Rosalee Bogo In honor of your special birthday From: Pris & Robert Siskin

Shabbat ShaPlay

Join Rabbi Boxman and Miss Jane on Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m. as we sing, dance, play and celebrate Shabbat in the park. All young families are invited to attend. Temple Shalom membership is not required. To register, contact Paolette Matute, education administrative assistant, at 239-455-2233 or pmatute@ naplestemple.org.

Temple Shalom Preschool Food Truck Palooza fundraiser

Join the fun Sunday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for food trucks, a beer garden, kids zone, music and entertainment. Admission is only $5 per person. For more information, please call the Temple Shalom Preschool office at 239-455-3227.

Tributes

To:

Rhonda Brazina In memory of Steve Brazina From: Pam Krangel Karen & Neil Moss Dennis & Maureen Schaab Jane Schiff Diane & Jeff Shein To:

Marcia Cohodes & David Goldsteen In appreciation of your friendship and hospitality From: Rosalee & Jerry Bogo

To:

Judith Lipnick In memory of Stanley Lipnick From: Eloyse Fisher To:

Ileen Malitz In honor of your special birthday From: Millie & Jim Sernovitz To:

Michael Marks In memory of your Father and Grandfather From: MCA Bocce Players

Leon Kravetz In honor of your special birthday From: Shelley & Ken Zucker

Robin Mintz & Susan Pittelman On the occasion of your being honored by the Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah From: Karen Deutsch Jane Schiff

To:

John Levin & Family In memory of Judith Levin From: Rita Bernstein Elaine & Michael Griver

To:

Jay Weintraub In memory of Sue Weintraub From: Joan & Marc Saperstein Cathy & Philip Zacks

To: Robbie & Joel Wise Jerry Lewis In honor of your new home In memory of Sondra Sanders From: Anna & Yale Levin From: Ronnie & Jim Herman To:

Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.

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To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Janine Hudak at the Federation office at 239-263-4205 or jhudak@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note card acknowledging your gift will be sent to the person or loved one you designate. Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.

ORGANIZATIONS

May 2022

Federation Star

www.hadassah.org / 518.330.1559

COLLIER/LEE CHAPTER OF HADASSAH

Hadassah abroad and at home Joyce Toub Collier/Lee Hadassah President

n my bereavement group the other day, I couldn’t help but wonder how we all dealt with the sadness of losing our spouses and how united we were in feeling and understanding what each of us had gone through. Most of us had an incredible support system in a country that wasn’t war torn. We had, and have, our homes, all material possessions and, most of all, each other. Yes, America certainly has its issues, but when I think of Ukraine and all that is happening there and what people went through during WWII and other war-torn countries that were destroyed, I just can’t imagine. Hadassah is in a strange situation of not being able to “blow its own horn,” but I need you to know how courageous and meaningful Hadassah has been on the Ukrainian-Polish border. For weeks, the world has watched devastating events continue to unfold in this crisis. Hadassah teams from HMO were the first responders to go in and assist with medical attention. They set up emergency hospital units in Przemysl and got doctors to come in on a rotating basis to help treat thousands of

refugees who are traumatized by bombings and face many other challenges. Plans constantly change; Hadassah teams must choose where the neediest are. First, they help those suffering from hypothermia and frostbite, a result of waiting hours to cross the border. Hadassah doctors are teaching other doctors and students in Lublin how to care for the wounded. And they are transporting patients who need special treatment, for example, cancer patients, to Israel. In Hadassah’s Meir Shfeya Youth Aliyah Village, workers are helping teenage refugees, many without parents. Their stress is a complex problem. Hadassah is trying to make these young people feel safe and meet their basic needs, while helping them get through their recent upheaval. The first wave of refugees to come through were not as needy as those coming through in recent days. The current group has had to protect themselves from bombings, fleeing from place to place before finding refuge. They need basic support to build a new life as their lives have been destroyed. We are not talking about a few hundred, but millions who

need to reorganize their lives and need healing. I can’t help but wonder how all these people, who have run from terror and the only homes they have ever known, are going to regain their foothold. I am so proud of what Hadassah has and continues to accomplish. Closer to home, I’d like to tell you about some of our Collier/Lee Hadassah successes. Last month, we saluted four local “Inspiring Women” in a Zoom webinar and participated in two Hadassah Shabbats. See the photo of some

Hadassah members and Hadassah associates (males) on the Temple Shalom Bimah on Friday night, March 18th. We’ve just started our next “Expanding Horizons III” series, which continues through Nov. 7. We’ve planned our first in-person meeting since February 2020. It was thrilling to plan and will be even more thrilling to attend. Please continue to look at our e-blasts and Hadassah Happenings … and join us for our upcoming activities!

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Federation Star

ORGANIZATIONS

May 2022

Presenting Hadassah’s 2022 Inspiring Women Award By Diane Schwartz

adassah is pleased to present its 2022 Inspiring Women Award winners. While the event was held virtually due to COVID, the awards were presented in person in advance of the event. Robin Mintz and Susan Pittelman accepted the Lynn Wilner Inspiring Women Award for their years of involvement and leadership of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival, an

outstanding community event. Assisting Hadassah in honoring Robin and Susan is Jeffrey Feld, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, who presented the award on behalf of Collier/Lee Hadassah. Naomi Bloom, entrepreneur, business strategy advisor, consultant and philanthropist accepted the Lynn Wilner

JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF SWFL

Inspiring Women Award for her generosity and philanthropic leadership in her community. Marsha Kistler, Treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Lee and Charlotte Counties, assisted Hadassah in honoring Naomi. Linda Oberhaus, CEO of The Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples, was recognized for her expertise, leadership of her organization, volunteerism in her field and dedication to assisting victims of domestic violence and trafficking. Assisting Hadassah in

recognizing Linda’s many accomplishments is Chairman of the Board of the Naples Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Thomas Leipzig. Through its programs, training and work around the globe, Hadassah empowers women to learn and lead in their career, volunteer and community leadership roles. With this emphasis in mind, the Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah created the Inspiring Women event to recognize the importance, value and impact empowered women make in our communities. The honorees have used their leadership skills, dedication, experience, generosity and time to make a difference in their organizations and the quality of our lives. Ultimately, their efforts impact our communities. Hadassah is proud to honor these inspiring women with the Lynn Wilner Award in recognition of the chapter’s late past president who inspired so many women to join and become active in Hadassah. The award is presented to honorees in recognition of Lynn and as a legacy to her leadership and commitment.

www.jhsswf.org / 239.566.1771

May is Jewish American Heritage month Marina Berkovich JHSSWF President

istorical relevance and context play a major role in times of peace and a much more significant one in times of crises. As we are coping with increased antisemitism at home in the U.S. and an escalation of terrorism in Israel, I search for explanations to seemingly disjointed events taking place in parts of the world that are far away from one another because I believe that everything is contextually connected. The universe and our Jewish teachings send us periodic verifications of this. It is imperative to not rush to judgment — or so we hear every time there is a report of shootings. Yet, we all rush to whatever the judgment our own moral framework serves up. We lost the ability to not judge. We possess different degrees of curiosity, knowledge, information and

ability to store, process and extract it. Our logical interpolation yields different results because each of us have different logic that, coupled with our emotional ranges, brings us to different conclusions or predictions of the outcomes. How can you judge anyone or anything without the full and proper context? After time passes, we dust off and hope to preserve intact, the look and feel of any era that was as recent as WWII or the Civil War. How possible is it to encompass everything about the historical context of the individual sharing their journey? A person places his interpretation of events he witnessed, participated in or is hearing about through the prism of his own mind’s limitations. The level of our education varies and so do our specialized interests. Many historically important facts scoot by unnoticed in the general chaos of an escalating information overload. We are literally bombarded by facts, figures, stats, names, titles and such. Everything becomes a little bit less critical in this historical whirlwind. Somewhere in our universe, the next Jules Verne is penning “Around the World in One Hour” and Elon Musk

already gladly purchased the first 10,000 books to make it a 2022 bestseller. The relevance of Southwest Florida Jewish History to this cacophonic bombardment is not for us to decide. That will be decided by the future generations of people who will carry forward our mission or allow it to disintegrate with newer and more immediately rewarding layers of facts and excitement under our very noses or, maybe, over our dead bodies. Recent world events will impact every Jew everywhere in ways we are not yet able to ascertain. In the early 1950s, Stalin exterminated USSR Jews and labeled them “rootless cosmopolites” whilst not acknowledging the factual genocide of Jews, now known as Shaoh, the Holocaust. Shameless revisionists are always busy, writing the truth out of history. Like what just happened to notable, prolific Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa, whose most recent film “Babi Yar. Context” presents the inconvenient to Ukraine truth about Kiev’s most famous massacre. He was expelled from the Ukrainian Film Academy, like in Stalin’s cosmopolites purges, for his artistic collaborations with Russians.

A huge majority of American Jews hail from Ukraine. We will be presenting “History of Jews in Ukraine” in May and June. Check our website for times and to register.

Help JHSSWF fulﬁll its mission

Join The Jewish Historical Society of SWFL. Family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300. Join us online by entering the appropriate amount or mailing check to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #255, Naples FL 34108. We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwestflorida.org/. The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(C)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

FEDERATI N MEMBERSHIP According to the bylaws of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples,members are those individuals who make an annual gift of $36 or more to the Annual Federation Campaign in our community.

For more information, please call the Federation ofﬁce at 239-263-4205.

JEWISH INTEREST

When parents and adult children are estranged

Federation Star

May 2022

You deserve the care of a Real Estate Specialist.

DEBORAH ZVIBLEMAN

Aging Jewishly — What our traditions tell us about growing old

REALTOR® | PA

By Rabbi Barbara Aiello

he cellphone chimed If you and your adult the first few bars child are estranged, what of Jimmy Buffett’s can you do? In Julie’s case, “Margaritaville,” jolting Julie she began to call Andy obsesout of her 10-minute aftersively, at first leaving loving noon “schlaf.” voicemail messages. When “Did I catch you sleepshe received no response, her ing?” It was Beth, Julie’s oldmessages became angry and est friend – the only person accusatory. That’s when Julie other than her husband that realized that her approach Julie speaks with every day. was harmful and unhealthy Julie responded with a for all involved. Rabbi Barbara Aiello sigh, “Yup, I was napping, Author Debbie Pincus, which is a whole lot better than thinking writing in Empowering Parents, states, back to Passover and again this year, an “But here’s the reality: it was not your empty chair at the table.” choice to sever the relationship. Although “Elijah? You were thinking about you may have contributed to the tensions Elijah’s empty chair?” Beth was confused. between you, you are not responsible for You told me you guys had a great seder.” your child’s choice to cut you off.” Julie sighed again. “We did, but when Pincus shares five options that parI see Elijah’s chair, all I can think of is ents estranged from their adult children Andy. It’s been six years since we had can apply in an attempt to resolve the seder together.” broken relationship: Andy is Julie’s adult son and, although 1. Get support – Consider joining a one might assume so, Andy has not died. parenting support group or get profesJulie’s grief is the result of a parent/child sional help for dealing with your sense estrangement that began six years ago and of grief and loss. continues to this day. And Julie says that 2. Don’t respond by cutting off she has no idea what precipitated Andy’s contact – Send birthday and holiday total disassociation from his parents messages, notes and emails. Send warmth, and siblings. love and compassion as you get on with Julie is not alone. In an article, “Famyour own life. ily Estrangement – What Causes It and 3. Don’t feed the anger – Pincus How to Deal with It” (Parenting for Brain, believes that “anger is natural but not March 2022), author Pamela Li highlights helpful,” and recommends that, without that the estrangement that occurs most assigning blame, parents should take an often is the broken relationship between objective look at family dynamics. adult children and their parents. 4. Listen to your child without In fact, a study on family estrangedefending yourself – “If the door opens ment determined that “7% percent of with your child, listen with an open adult children are estranged from mothheart.” Pincus recommends that parents ers, while 27% have no contact with who are willing to look at themselves their fathers.” In addition, a 2015 survey have a better chance at reopening lines found that among a group of 354 college of communication. students, 44% had experienced some type 5. Focus on yourself, not your child of family estrangement. – Let go of your pent-up resentments and Yet, studies show that there is no one the emotional pain that the estrangement type of interaction or style of parenting brought about. Put your efforts into nor one type of family conflict that will making changes in your own attitude trigger an estrangement, but there is one and behavior and demonstrate that you thing for certain, “parents and children’s forgive your child. reasons for estrangement differ signifiBeth heard the agony in her friend’s cantly from one another.” voice. “Understanding and compassion Julie echoes this frustration when she can come from an unlikely source,” Beth says, “I just don’t know what happened. said, as she quoted a famous Jewish young I look back on things I said and did, and woman generally not described as a parI can’t figure it out. One day he stopped enting guru — “Parents can only give good calling. He didn’t answer my texts and, advice or put them on the right paths, but through a friend, I heard that Andy the final forming of a person’s character lies decided to stop visiting us. I asked for a in their own hands.” Anne Frank reason. I got nothing.” For 10 years, Rabbi Barbara Aiello Julie and Andy’s estrangement, painserved the Aviva Campus for Senior Life ful as it is, is not uncommon. Current (Sarasota, FL) as resident rabbi. Her most studies indicate that “A higher proporpopular columns are now published in her tion of estranged parents than estranged new book, “Aging Jewishly,” available on children do not know exactly why they Amazon books. Rabbi Barbara now lives and are estranged, which means children works in Italy, where she is rabbi of Italy’s first are more likely to initiate estrangement Reconstructionist synagogue. Contact her at than parents.” Rabbi@RabbiBarbara.com.

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Federation Star

JEWISH INTEREST

May 2022

The Freedman Jewish music collection A labor of love By Arlene Stolnitz

he Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive has been called “one of the most important resources in the world for the study of Jewish culture, folklore, history, linguistics and literature through the medium of sound.” It can be seen in person and online at the Penn Libraries, University of Pennsylvania. The Freedmans donated their collection to Penn in 1998, when they could no longer house it in their Philadelphia home. The Penn Libraries website describes the archive as containing more than 40,000 songs, nearly 6,000 albums and 1,500 pieces of sheet music. It contains Yiddish songs, klezmer music, vaudeville acts and much more, collected over 60 years by the Freedmans. The music comes from the United States, former Soviet Union, and Israel and other countries where Jews have lived. Historically, it has always been difficult to define the term “Jewish music.” The Freedman Sound Achieve has described Jewish music as “all genres of music produced by the Jewish people throughout the diaspora.” This includes Israeli music, including jazz, rock and pop; Jewish songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and other languages of the diaspora;

instrumental music, including klezmer and classical music; folk music from many countries; theater music, including Broadway musicals; Holocaust music; and religious music, such as Chassidic and cantorial. The music represents Ashkenazi, Sephardi and “Oriental” traditions of Judaism. The sound archive also collects spoken word recordings, such as oral histories, poetry recitations, humor and comedy, theater and radio programs. The Freedman Archive is located in Room 453 of the Van Pelt Dietrich Library Center, Kislak Center for Special Collections and Rare Books at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The complete

Robert and Molly Freedman

collection grew, researchers collection inventory can be found on the library’s online catalogue. at the University of PennsylIn perusing the catalogue, I vania learned about it, askwas especially interested in Rusing the Freedmans to bring sian music because of my own the music to their Jewish Folklore classes. When the heritage. A few I found interesting are “Songs of Odessa,” “Goodbye collection grew too large for Odessa” and, most notably, a talk their home, the Freedmans Arlene Stolnitz donated it to Penn, where it by researcher Professor Jarrod Tammy, University of North Carolina, continues to grow. who wrote “City of Rogues and SchnorIn an interview, Robert thinks back to rers, the Myth of Odessa, City of Sin.” the beginning, “When I started practicing law,” he says, “I had limited ambitions — These are also available for viewing on YouTube. I wanted to be one of the best real estate lawyers in Philadelphia. Eventually, I Both of the Freedmans were raised in immigrant families in which both started thinking, ‘You’re crazy. You want English and Yiddish were spoken. With your tombstone to say he wrote good leases?’ Now, I’ll certainly have a musical cultural backgrounds steeped in rich note on my grave.” Judaic tradition, they each grew up in homes that resonated with Hebrew and The Freedmans, now in their 90s, have Yiddish song. The Freedmans began a legacy in mind, also. “We’ve brought back to life something everyone thought collecting recordings early in their marwas dying,” he says proudly. riage. According to Robert, an attorney, it was a labor of love which grew as they Arlene Stolnitz, founder of the Sarasota acquired recordings during their travels. Jewish Chorale, is a member of the Jewish Robert credits Molly with pursuing the Congregation of Venice. A retired educator from purchase of the recordings wherever they Rochester, New York, she has sung in choral went. In their travels, rather than taking groups for over 25 years and also sings in The additional excursions, they would look Venice Chorale. Her interest in the preservation for “out of the way” places to find new of Jewish music of all kinds has led to this series of and unusual musical recordings. As the articles on Jewish Folk Music in the Diaspora.

New dose of Bayer; superheroes and sci-ﬁ heroes, Maverick redux, more Stars of David By Nate Bloom, Stars of David Contributing Columnist

ditor’s Note: Persons in bold are deemed by Nate Bloom to be Jewish for the purpose of this column. Persons identified as Jewish have at least one Jewish parent and were not raised in, or identify with, a faith other than Judaism. Converts to Judaism, of course, are also identified as Jewish. “I Love That for You” is an 8-episode comedy series that premiered on Showtime on April 29. Vanessa Bayer, 40, co-created the series and plays the star character, Joanna Gold (as I write this, it hasn’t been disclosed whether Gold is a Jewish character). Bayer is best known as a “Saturday Night Live” star cast member (20102017). Jewish viewers will vividly remember her recurring SNL/Weekend Update appearances as Jacob, the bar mitzvah boy. Bayer created this character and wrote Jacob’s SNL skits. When Bayer was 15, she was diagnosed with leukemia, which, obviously, she survived. Her experience with leukemia, Bayer says, partially inspired her new series. As “I Love” begins, Joanna gets her dream job — hosting on a shopping channel. But Joanna really isn’t that good a host and she knows she is about to be fired. So, she tells everyone at work that she had childhood leukemia (true) and it

has returned (a lie). Her colleagues rally around her, but her parents warn Joanna that this lie will come back and bite her. Veteran actor Jason Schwartzman, 41, plays Joanna’s nice boyfriend. Jason’s late father, a film producer, was Jewish. His mother is actress Talia Shire (“The Godfather”). Shire is the sister of Francis Ford Coppola. Jason was raised secular. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (opens May 6) is a superhero movie based on the Marvel comic hero, Dr. Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch). The plot, as with all “Marvel Universe” films, is super convoluted, so I won’t go into it here. Here’s the Jewish angle: the film is directed by Sam Raimi, 62, who has a raft of superhero film credits (creator, director, producer, etc.). Raimi’s wife of 29 years is the daughter of the late Lorne Greene, the “Bonanza” star; Michael Stuhlbarg, 51, has a supporting role as Nicodemus, a rival of Dr. Strange; and Elizabeth Olsen, who isn’t Jewish, co-stars as superhero Wanda Maximoff. In the comics, Maximoff is Jewish. In the “Marvel Universe” films, her Jewish “backstory” has been “scrubbed out.” This is a sadly common practice that’s not limited to Marvel flicks. On May 5, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” begins streaming on Paramount+.

It is a prequel to the original “Star Trek” series. ‘Trekkies’ know that the 1960s original series had a failed pilot episode that was later “cut up” and crafted into two “flashback” Star Trek episodes. Christopher Pike was the Enterprise starship captain in the failed pilot. “Strange New Worlds” follows Pike’s adventures during the decade before Captain Kirk (William Shatner) took command. There are no Jewish actors in the main cast, but it’s interesting to note that Ethan Peck, the grandson of Gregory Peck, plays Mr. Spock. The Jewish “contribution” is behind the scenes. The three series creators are Jewish — Akiva Goldsman, 59, Alex Kurtzman, 48, and Jenny Lumet, 55. All three have many “Trek Universe” credits. The series composer is Naama “Nami” Melumad, 33, an Israeli who became (2019) the first woman ever to score a “Star Trek” episode. “Bosch” a series about Harry Bosch, an LAPD detective, streamed on Amazon Prime from 2014-2021. A spinoff, entitled “Bosch: Legacy,” will begin streaming on May 6 on the newish IMDB.com streaming service (free, with ads). In “Legacy,” Bosch is retired from the LAPD and is working as investigator for Honey Chandler, a defense attorney.

Mimi Rodgers, 66, costars as Chandler. Born Miriam Spickler, Rogers is the daughter of a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother. She was raised a Scientologist. She broke with that religious cult about 15 years ago. “Top Gun: Maverick” opens in theaters on May 27. It is a sequel to “Top Gun” (1986), a huge box-office hit that starred Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a student at the Navy’s fighter pilot school. The sequel finds Maverick (Cruise) leading a group of recent pilot school graduates on a secret, very dangerous mission. Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly, 51, plays Penny, Maverick’s love interest. Penny’s a single mother, bar owner and the daughter of an admiral. (Connelly’s mother was Jewish. She’s always been secular.) I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Cantor Riselle Bain, 74, the spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Highlands County. She has long-standing ties to the Greater Tampa area. Her father fought for the light-heavyweight boxing championship of the world. Her showbiz career began when she played “Young Miriam” in the blockbuster film, “The Ten Commandments” (1956). I hope I’ve whetted your appetite for more info. Look for many more details in the June issue.

JEWISH INTEREST

May 2022

Federation Star

Yom Ha’atzmaut is a time for mangal Recipe by Chef Dalia

om Ha’atzmaut — Israeli Independence Day — always soon follows Passover. This year, Yom Ha’atzmaut is on Thursday, May 5, 2022, when Israelis will be heading outdoors for the delight of the grill. As with most days of importance, a lot of the celebration revolves around food. Yom Ha’atzmaut is identified with barbeque, known in Hebrew as the “mangal.” The Israeli Independence Day is all about the mangal – Israeli barbecue culture otherwise known as grill. Herds of Israelis will set up mobile grill stations in any empty spot in an over-crowded park, sidewalk or beach boardwalk, folding

tables and chairs and feasting on kebabs (grilled meat patties), shishliks (chicken skewers), hummus, tahini and many other varieties of salads. In fact, disposable grills are found all over the country for sale just for this purpose. While the burgers are sizzling on the grill, it’s the perfect occasion to enjoy quality time with friends and family. The holiday itself is the start of the Israeli grilling season, which lasts throughout the entire summer. To be truly Israeli, you need to understand the culture of mangal, otherwise known as al ha-esh (on the fire) or “barbecue.” Drive around Israel on Yom

Ha’atzmaut and the most noticeable part of the national celebration will be a cloud of smoke hovering over the country from all of the mangals in every park, forest, garden and balcony. Everyone does it. Ashkenazi or Sephardic; everyone has a mangal at one point or another, but especially on Yom Ha’atzmaut, when the whole country has a day off without the restrictions of a religious holiday. Most of the time, big American-type grills are not put to use. The favorite way is a tiny portable, often disposable, charcoal grill that cooks low to the ground. Look out for your knees, because crouching down over the grill is the way most Israelis cook. Meat is usually the norm for the mangal, from “kebabs” (ground meat sausages), “ketzizot” (similar to hamburger patties) to chicken and steak shishlik, marinated and skewered lamb or beef or chicken with skewered vegetables. For the vegetarians among us, try marinating just vegetables for your skewers (shipudim). Unfortunately, 21 years of American barbeque has rubbed off on me, Last year, I decided to celebrate the holiday at my house. My friends were pleasantly treated to a do-it-yourself hamburger and hotdog buffet. They loved it, but one year was enough of a departure from the custom. This year, we are back to the mangal. We are going to picnic and grill just like in Israel. I can’t wait for my husband to dust

Personal Chef Dalia Hemed can be reached at daliahemed@msn.com. off the mangal (grill) and lay down some of my own chicken shawarma shipudim (skewers) made from pargiot (boneless, skinless dark meat chicken cutlets). If you are in the know, then you know traditional shawarma is made from turkey. However, the pargiot version gives you the same taste, but is more tender. In the last few years, boneless, skinless dark meat chicken cutlets, pargiot, have become easier to find, even in the U.S. They’ve been popular in Israel for years. Pargiot are moist, tender, juicy and perfect for a Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration at home. And yes, my shawarma recipe tastes exactly like the shawarma I’ve had at street food vendors in Israel! You can celebrate your own Israeli barbeque wherever you are, just like in Israel, with my chicken shawarma recipe. Then pick a spot in a park or your backyard, play some Israeli music and invite some friends to join in the party. Yom Ha’atzamaut Sameach!

Chicken Shawarma Skewers with Grilled Vegetables Ingredients For the Chicken Shawarma skewers • 5 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tsp. ground cumin • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper • 1 tsp. ground turmeric • 1 tsp. kosher salt • 3/4 tsp. ground coriander • 1/2 tsp. allspice, optional • 1/2 tsp. sweet paprika • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder • 12 skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch-thick pieces For the grilled vegetables • 1 lb. asparagus, trimmed • 1 lb. cherry tomatoes, stemmed • 4 carrots, cut lengthwise in half • 1 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 1 red onion, cut into wedges • 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tsp. ground cumin • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper • 1 tsp. ground turmeric • 1 tsp. kosher salt • 3/4 tsp. ground coriander • 1/2 tsp. sweet paprika • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1. Soak 1 dozen bamboo skewers in warm water.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, cumin, pepper, turmeric, salt, coriander, allspice (optional), paprika and garlic powder. Blend until you have one even color. 3. Add the chicken thighs and toss to coat, ensuring the spice rub gets into all the folds and crevices of the thighs. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. 4. Skewer chicken on soaked bamboo skewers and set aside. 5. Preheat grill to medium high heat. 6. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, pepper, turmeric, salt, coriander, paprika and garlic powder. 7. Brush olive oil mixture onto the asparagus, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini and red onion; let sit for 10-15 minutes. 8. Transfer vegetables to a grill basket; place basket onto the grill. Cook, turning occasionally, until vegetables are lightly burnt all over, about 10-12 minutes. Set aside. 9. Cook the chicken on the grill over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Cook the chicken until golden with crispy edges, 5 to 6 minutes per side. 10. Transfer grilled shawarma skewers to a platter with grilled vegetables. Drizzle with tahini and parsley. 11. Serve right away with harissa, if using, on the side. Or lightly toast pitas and stuff them with hummus tahini and Israeli salad.

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ISRAEL & THE JEWISH WORLD

May 2022

Jewish National Fund-USA to Help Bring Congregations Home to Israel for a Visit New program oﬀers $500 per person subsidy, other benefits By Jennifer Milton, JNF

s they navigated the challenges of the past two years, synagogues offered their members online programming for everything from Shabbat and High Holy Day services to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Now, as COVID-19 restrictions ease and congregations reunite in person, Jewish National Fund-USA has one message for rabbis nationwide: “Seize the moment. It’s time to bring your congregations home to Israel.” On March 1, Jewish National FundUSA, in partnership with Tel Aviv-based Kenes Tours, announced it is launching Come Home for a Visit: Bring your Congregation to Israel, a new initiative that aims to help rabbis revive their relationships with congregants while restoring members’ connection to Judaism and the Jewish homeland. Through this new endeavor, made possible by a $1.6 million grant (over two years) from Jewish National FundUSA’s Boruchin Center, the organization is offering a $500 per participant

subsidy for all approved congregational missions to Israel. “Here in the United States, synagogues are working tirelessly to reestablish the feeling of community and the spiritual connection that comes from uniting together in a local house of worship,” said JNF-USA’s Chief of Staff, Deena Shiff, who heads up the organization’s Travel & Tours Department. “Bringing your congregants to Israel is the perfect way to nourish and reinvigorate them in meaningful ways, while also providing an economic boost for Israelis who need it the most.” “We are thrilled Israel’s travel and tourism industry has awakened from a two-year slumber,” added CEO of Kenes Tours, Cheri S. Levitan. “From our perspective, connecting with the land, people and cultures of Israel creates community like nothing else! We invite everyone back to Israel and hope to welcome you soon.” Planning a comprehensive and fulfilling tour of Israel for a group, however, is

no easy feat with so much to see and so much ground to cover. Luckily, Jewish National Fund-USA, which has connected individuals to the land and people of Israel for more than a century, is tapped into the best places to visit, eat and stay. By partnering with JNF-USA via the congregational travel program, synagogues will gain access to the organization’s exclusive full-service tour operator, who will help tailor the mission to the group’s needs and interests and make planning the international vacation an easy and seamless experience.

Facts at a Glance Come Home for a Visit: Bring Your Congregation to Israel All trips must be booked through JNF-USA’s Travel & Tours Department with a minimum of five days of touring. • The subsidy is available for congregations led by rabbis who are members of Jewish National Fund-USA’s Rabbis for Israel. Learn more at jnf.org/rabbisforisrael.

• Jewish National Fund-USA’s travel provider will work with congregations to organize everything: hotels, guides, budget, etc. • Participating congregations are free to determine their own itinerary, however, it is a requirement that one full day is devoted to exploring Jewish National Fund-USA’s impactful projects in Israel. • If your congregation does not have enough people to fill a trip, JNF-USA will connect you with other congregations traveling at the same time and the trips can be combined. JNF-USA is also offering three synagogue missions of its own that people can join. • For a full list of requirements, visit jnf.org/congregationaltours. Gather your community and come home to Israel for the trip of a lifetime. For more information about the subsidy or to plan a trip, call 877-563-8687 or email travel@jnf.org.

FIDF Miami supporters rally around defenders of Israel

iami, Florida (March 9, 2022) – Attacks against freedom, such as the crisis in Ukraine and antisemitic violence in Europe and the United States, are a stark reminder of the vital importance of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers’ mission to defend the Jewish homeland – a safe haven for Jews around the world. Friends of the IDF (FIDF) supporters in Miami came out in droves last Thursday to show support for the troops who are responsible for the safety, and very existence, of Israel. FIDF Greater Miami Chapter held a Solidarity Gala at The Diplomat Hollywood Beach Resort, which drew some 850 leaders from the Greater Miami area to hear from important members of the IDF. Funds raised will be distributed toward well-being and educational programs dedicated to initiatives for soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Three active-duty IDF soldiers attended the event, including Major

Ofir, who serves as the Company Commander for officers professional training in the IDF Search and Rescue unit. Major Ofir is a “Chief of Staff’s Excellency Award” recipient and was part of the elite Israeli delegation that volunteered during the Surfside search and rescue mission. Throughout the mission, FIDF representatives and volunteers stepped up and provided critical support to Major Ofir and the IDF Search and Rescue Unit, including new rescue equipment, kosher food and more. FIDF provided the unit with the warm care of extended family while they were far from home. “Whether in Israel or abroad, we are proud to provide support during the most difficult humanitarian crises,” said Major Ofir. “Working with the local rescue forces in Surfside was an incredible experience because we got to connect with one another and learn from one another. We experienced this tragedy together and we

Dina Benari, FIDF VP Southern Region, FIDF CEO Steven Weil, Mayor Gabriel Groisman, Bal Harbour, FL, Maj. Ofir, Capt. Dean, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Dade County, Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan, FIDF National Director, Col. Ziv Nimni, Attache, Washington, D.C, Lt. Yossi. (Photo credit: Erez Kashi, courtesy of FIDF)

are thankful to the FIDF for caring for us during our stay.” Capt. Dean is an Israeli Naval Academy graduate who served aboard a naval mission which involved the installation of a Naval Dome – the Navy’s counterpart to Israel’s Iron Dome Defense System. During Operation Guardian of the Walls, Dean’s mission was to protect the gas rigs off the shore of Ashkelon, which provide approximately 70% of Israel’s electricity consumption. Lt. Yossi is another active-duty soldier who faced some tough challenges while growing up, including a bout with drugs, alcohol and multiple arrests. The young soldier was able to turn his life around after enlisting in the IDF, where he eventually became a combat soldier. After completing his basic training, Yossi was chosen as the most outstanding soldier in the company. He continued to excel and win awards, landing him an opportunity to attend the prestigious Officer’s Academy. Today, Yossi proudly serves as the

Vice Company Commander in Rotem Unit of The Givati Brigade. Community leaders and FIDF supporters Joelle and Joseph Hanono cochaired the gala. Miami Chapter Pillar Oren Kattan was honored with the Excellence in Leadership Award, while Marcel Calef, a fellow Miami Chapter Pillar, was presented with the Commitment to Education Award. “We were so honored and excited to bring Miami’s pro-Israel community together for this inspiring event, giving our supporters the opportunity to hear directly from, and to thank, the brave soldiers who protect Israel – and Jews, worldwide, said Nicole Krassner, FIDF Greater Miami Chapter Director. “It gave the community a chance to provide for them through FIDF’s well-being and educational programs, which have a tremendous impact on, not only the lives on these young heroes, but all of Israeli society.”

Maj. Ofir, Capt. Dean, Dina Benari, FIDF VP Southern Region, Lt. Yossi, Nicole Krassner, Director FIDF Miami Chapter, Sam Moshe, President Miami Chapter, Major General (Res.) Nadav Padan, FIDF National Director, Col. Niv Nimni, IDF Attache Washington, DC.

COMMENTARY

May 2022

Federation Star

Strengthening our bond with Israel this summer Rabbi Adam F. Miller

hen I first arrived in Naples, I often heard, “Nothing happens in Naples over the summer … unless you count the locals taking advantage of the summer meal specials.” Perhaps that was once true but, today, we know that to no longer be the case. Abundant activity, especially Jewish life, continues here year-round. Adult education classes, summer camp activities and worship services (with better attendance than many northern congregations!) occur throughout the summer. With Zoom and streaming technology, many will also stay involved in our community remotely. Truly, our Jewish community thrives year-round in Southwest Florida and so, too, does our love and connection for Israel. On March 31, more than 150

attended the first major event of Stand With Us hosted at Temple Shalom in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and support from Baer’s Furniture. That event demonstrates just how deeply we feel the need to stand up for Israel on college campuses as well as speak out against the rise of antisemitism and BDS movements. Those Zionist feelings are not new to this area. Many recall the Israel solidarity rally at the Naples Pier and annual Israel festivals as well as Federation’s support for Ne’ve Michal Children’s Village, Yad LaKashish and teen travel to Israel. Individuals connect locally to Israel through organizations like Jewish National Fund, Israel Bonds, Hadassah and the Technion Society. At Temple Shalom, dozens joined learning sessions about Israel hosted by an Israeli guide (the wonders of technology!). Later this month, Rabbi Boxman and I will be attending the inaugural conference of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition in Washington, D.C. and, in December 2023, we will have our next congregational trip to Israel.

While there is darkness, there is also light. We take heart, knowing that Israel remains an or la-goyim — a light to the nations through its acts of tikkun olam and emergency response to global disasters. The most recent example is the Israeli emergency field hospitals providing vital medical care in Ukraine. We celebrate Israel’s ability to overcome obstacles and persevere. Most importantly, we should know that we, the North American Jewish community, are an important factor in the survival of Israel. Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, shares a story that should give us hope. During Benjamin Netanyahu’s last stint as Prime Minister, he leaned toward Rabbi Jacobs at an event and simply said, “Thank you.” Rabbi Jacobs gave the Prime Minister the answer instilled in him by his parents, “You’re welcome,” followed by, “Now I have to ask, what are you thanking me for?” The Prime Minister smiled and answered his question, “For believing in Israel, even at its darkest hour.” Netanyahu explained that the Reform

movement did not recall a single trip to Israel even at the height of what was then the most recent Gaza conflict. The Reform movement stayed steadfast in its unwavering support for Israel. That simple exchange demonstrates our hope. Israel needs us — just as we need the connection to Israel. Let us not wait for the next conflict, the next attempt to degrade, disenfranchise or destroy Israel for us to build on that connection. Rather, this summer should be a time for us to draw closer to Israel. To support Israel, read books about Israel, buy products made in or sold in Israel, and share with others the blessing that is modern Israel. Plan a future trip to Israel — to get beneath the surface so that we can better understand one another — Jews of Israel and Jews of the world. Just as we know that life continues here despite the myth of a quiet summer, our connection to Israel remains important 365 days of the year. May that bond only grow stronger this summer and in the years to come. Rabbi Adam Miller serves at Temple Shalom.

The season of sacred pilgrimage Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross

am a Southern Californian by birth and upbringing. For me, the traditional sign of the change of seasons is when the swallows come back to Capistrano. Here, in Collier County, however, the sure sign it’s spring is auto transport trailers heading north. Most of us are such digitally driven creatures, that we live our daily lives more by the clock and the calendar than by solar azimuth angle and, as such, don’t really pay too much attention to the seasons (particularly here in South Florida, where we don’t really have seasons)! But for our long-ago forebears in the land of Israel, the turn of the seasons — and the associated cycles of sowing and reaping, pruning and harvesting — were all seen as sacred and blessed manifestations of God’s orderly management of the universe. Not everyone takes such an exalted view of the seasons. Take this month of May, for example, which, in northern Europe, used to be seen as a stirring of

the earth mother goddess. Or, as Lerner and Loew put it much more directly in their lyric for “Camelot:” It’s May, it’s May — the month of “yes, you may;” That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray … The time for every frivolous whim, proper or “im.” While that salaciously frisky spirit of the month delights neopagans today, real pagans in earlier eras saw May — a critical juncture between winter’s cold and summer’s heat — as a dangerous marginal time, when supernatural forces were unleashed into our dimension. Nor did the arrival of ethical monotheism in Medieval Europe do anything to dispel such long-held dark and ominous convictions. In the opening of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula,” the innkeeper’s wife warns Jonathan Harker, “This fourth of May is the eve of St. George’s Day. Do you not know that tonight, when the clock strikes midnight, all the evil things in the world will have full sway?” All of which is perplexing to us Jews. Certainly, we have our own superstitions but none of them is that grim and ominous. Moreover, our religious convictions leave no room in our thinking for the existence of dark and inimical forces that

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are beyond God’s control. And while we have individual days (10th of Tevet; 17th of Tammuz; 9th of Av) and whole periods of time (the respective s’firah countdowns of seven weeks in the spring and three in the summer) when it is customary not to schedule affirmative celebrations, such self-imposed constraints are a gesture of solidarity with Jewish history, not because those times are viewed as inauspicious. In fact, our current season represents a transition that is completely involved with an alignment with Jewish history. Because the seven-week countdown from Passover (which was April 15 this year) to Shavuot (which will be June 5) sees us in between, living in a mythic dream, where every one of those 50 days not only commemorates, but reenacts, the trek from Egypt to Sinai.

This is the real reason we don’t traditionally hold weddings during the sevenweek spring s’firah. Until we have relived the trudge through the desert sands to meet at the Mountain the One Who brought us forth from servitude, and to enter into a covenant to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” any other covenant — including a marriage contract — is a subordinate commitment that we are not yet in a position to make. Because God comes first. May this season of sacred pilgrimage find us moving in good and affirmative directions, as looking back to Egypt last month and forward to Sinai next month aligns us to whatever lies beyond. Rabbi Mark Wm. Gross serves at Jewish Congregation of Marco Island.

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Federation Star

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

May 2022

www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239.434.1818

BETH TIKVAH

Rabbi Chorny contracts to lead Beth Tikvah another 5 years Steven Chizzik President

egular readers of the Federation Star should be very well aware of the column that is regularly written by Beth Tikvah’s Rabbi Chorny. What is very clear from his column is that Rabbi Chorny is a brilliant scholar as he clearly and thoughtfully delves into his topic, which often surrounds an upcoming Jewish holiday. Those of us who attend Beth Tikvah regularly know Rabbi Chorny for his Shabbat morning discussions and interpretation of each week’s Parsha. He is always on point, and he clearly relates the week’s Parsha to what is relevant in the world at that moment. Rabbi Chorny also

conducts a weekly Tuesday “Eat ’N Learn” class (via Zoom since the pandemic) that focuses on a current event or theme. This class is always well attended, and everyone looks forward to it. Since the COVID pandemic, Beth Tikvah has been in the forefront of bringing religious services as well as all programming directly to its congregants, both via Zoom as well as livestreaming. This has all been made possible due to the tremendous technological skills of our rabbi. We have been blessed that Rabbi Chorny had the skills to immediately bring Beth Tikvah into everyone’s homes. Rabbi Chorny is also the artistic creator of our quarterly Trumpet as well as our Weekly Bulletin. He is our stage director, ensuring everyone sees everything that is happening at all times. Rabbi Chorny’s participation is one of the reasons that our Naples Jewish Film Festival is so successful each year.

Rabbi Chorny is about to celebrate 10 years as the spiritual leader of Beth Tikvah and it is my pleasure to announce that Beth Tikvah has just signed a new contract with him, ensuring that he will be leading us for the next five years! We know how lucky we are! I look forward to continuing to work with my trusted friend and confidant in making Beth Tikvah the most inspirational experience in Southwest Florida. I, again, would like to remind everyone that Beth Tikvah is now offering new members their first year’s dues free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us. Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.

Beth Tikvah happenings

Sunday, May 1 at 10 a.m. – Rosh Chodesh Women’s Study Monday, May 4 – Yom HaZikaron Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. – Yom HaAtzma’ut Israel Night Party Wednesday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. – Lag BaOmer Picnic Sunday, May 29 – Yom Yerushalayim Please check the Beth Tikvah website, www.bethtikvahnaples.org, for details of all our events.

Religious services

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. via Zoom • Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and on Zoom • Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and on Zoom • We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.

www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030

TEMPLE SHALOM

How do we measure success? Deborah R. Fidel, JD, MAJPS,

Temple Shalom Executive Director

here are many metrics of success for nonprofit organizations. Most of them are quantifiable. How many people were fed and sheltered? How many animals were rescued and adopted? Synagogues are fundamentally different. While we can always point to the number of children who become Bar or Bat Mitzvah in a given year or the attendance in our adult education programs, we feel strongly that attendance alone paints an incomplete picture of our performance. For-profit businesses can tell their shareholders that earnings are up, shares are up, franchise sales are booming and

the like. Similarly, we could point to our endowment fund that has tripled in the last two years, numerous successful grant requests and fundraising campaigns. The numbers tell the story. Or do they? Business XYZ makes widgets. We make Jews. How do we know if we are on the right track? Unlike businesses and other nonprofit organizations, we measure our success in terms of relationships. It’s in our mission statement — We are One Family, believing in the sacredness of relationships, fostering connections – one to another, Temple, Israel, Torah and God. Everything we do is furtherance of that overarching goal. It is for this reason that Temple Shalom moved away from the traditional dues system in 2017. We want each member of our community to feel that their support of Temple comes from their heart and think of their gifts as exactly that — not a transactional arrangement where you give us x dollars and we give you Torah study on Shabbat morning

or a hospital visit when you or a loved one is ill. I meet visitors to Temple every week, who ask me some version of “How much will it cost me to be a member of your synagogue?” I tell each one the same thing, “We share a suggested amount (the “sustaining amount”), which is based on our total expenses divided among all our members, but the decision is yours. All we ask is that the gift is meaningful to you. There are no questions, no committees and no forms.” Many of our members contribute much more than the sustaining amount. Some of our members give less, based on their circumstances. Whatever the amount and the reason for it, we say the same thing to each and every person — Thank you! It would appear that we are doing something right. We have seen meteoric growth, from 337 households to 800 households in a little over a decade. Since we implemented the voluntary dues

JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND

system, which we call L’Shalom, the congregation has increased in size by 40%, from under 500 households to 800 today! We have two full-time rabbis and an invested cantor. Our office staff is small. So, how do we serve 800 households, comprised of 1,327 adults and approximately 400 children? The answer is the incredibly dedicated and hardworking lay leaders and volunteers who make “One family, many connections” a reality. Relationships lead to commitment — financial and otherwise. Our members continue to invest their time, energy and resources in Temple Shalom because we offer something they value. Please join us for a Friday night service and stay for the oneg that our Sisterhood lovingly and generously provides each week. From the moment you enter our newly renovated, beautiful sanctuary and gathering spaces, where you will be warmly welcomed, you will understand what One Family means to us. See what the buzz is all about!

www.marcojcmi.com / 239.642.0800

Grateful and eager for the future Stan Alliker

s the incoming President of JCMI, the reform Temple serving Marco Island and the surrounding Naples communities, I feel both grateful and eager. I am grateful that this synagogue of dedicated worshippers elected me

to lead us into a period of renewal and strength, and I am eager to see what the future holds. Our newly elected Board of Directors stands on the shoulders of the previous Board’s guidance through two years of COVID-related closures and creation of virtual services that were viewed from other states and even other countries. A few months ago, under the oversight of our physician-lead COVID Task Force, we opened our synagogue for Friday night services (complete with delicious, homemade Oneg treats), Torah study,

mahjong, the successful cultural and film series and the congregational Seder. The ongoing presence of the Marco Island Police Department sees to our physical safety and peace of mind. Now is the time when our snowbird friends go north and those of us who are “year-rounders” settle in for lighter traffic, shorter lines and last-minute fine dining. As we enter this time of review and planning, I am happy to report that we are growing as new members discover the leadership, knowledge, warmth and hospitality of Rabbi Mark Gross,

Cantorial Soloist Hari Jacobsen and the entire congregation. Over the summer, we will continue our Friday night services led by Cantor Hari with congregational participation. We will be busy planning next season’s special events for the community, including the much-anticipated reopening of our popular weekly BINGO. I encourage everyone to look for us, pray with us, and join us for wonderful ways to learn and grow your Jewish self.

SYNAGOGUE NEWS

May 2022

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

Federation Star

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www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239.431.3858

Learning available for all Charles Flum President

t a recent service at Naples Jewish Congregation, Rabbi Herman gave an impassioned sermon about Ukraine and Israel. His remarks about Israel are as follows: There is no country in the world more caught between a rock and a hard place than Israel. Let’s look at the facts. 1. There are Russian jets, and their army, right on Israel’s borders in Lebanon and Syria. 2. For Israel to strike at the Iranians when they move military assets near her border with Syria, she needs Russian

permission. It must be coordinated with Russia to avoid any accidental confrontation between Israeli and Russian jets, which would result in Israel shooting down a Russian jet. That can’t happen. Israel’s ability to control Iran on her borders is dependent on her relations with Putin. 3. There are 200,000 Jews in Ukraine, 1 million Jews in Russia, and their safety depends, to a great degree, on Putin. Israel needs a working relationship with Putin to keep them safe and that is Israel’s first responsibility. It is the reason Israel was created. It is her raison d’etre. There are those who will say, “America and the West will support you, Israel, if Russia begins to threaten you.” No, they won’t. What country in their right mind would trust America or the West to actually get involved other than with sanctions?

Israel’s relationship with Russia and Putin are so important that Prime Minister Bennett met with Putin last Shabbat for three hours of talks. Notice that everyone says that they understand that Europe and NATO, which we are part of, can’t join the war because they can’t risk a war with Russia. Well then, they need to understand that Israel can’t aﬀord to alienate Putin too much either, because alienating Putin puts her and the Jews of the Ukraine in danger. It is very diﬃcult as well for Israel to close its borders to Russians because there are 1 million Russians in Israel and many have family there. And what of Jews who want to go to Israel and get out of Russia and the Ukraine? Israel can’t risk having the iron curtain fall on them. Remember, no Jews can be denied entry into Israel, so how does Israel close its borders to Russia? Does it say except for Jews?

Putin would allow that? Would it not create strong antisemitic reactions in Russia and the Ukraine as well? It’s up to NATO to crush Russia economically. Israel has no real power here. We need to recognize that and explain it to those who are disappointed in Israel’s response thus far. Finally, there is a beautiful and powerful Hebrew Maxim – Et Laasot Lashem. It means it’s time to act for God — meaning to act in the name of God to save lives. This is just a small sample of the incredible amount of learning our rabbi shares with us. We have services every Friday night in April at 7 p.m. If you want more information about “The small Temple with a big heart,” please visit our website at www.naplesjewishcongregation.org. Come join us.

www.chabadnaples.com / 239.262.4474

CHABAD JEWISH CENTER OF NAPLES

At Chabad Naples Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

Hebrew School graduation

On Wednesday, May 25 at 4:30 p.m., our Hebrew School graduates will come to the end of an amazing year of learning, friendship, knowledge and laughter, possibly surprising themselves as well as others with how they are becoming both conversant in and learning to read Hebrew. Their progress is truly proof of the effectiveness of the Aleph Champ program in addition to the excellent teaching and guidance they received.

The ﬂying challah and kosher meals from the heart

Know someone in need of just a little extra love right now? Each week, we send out smiles with an uplifting message in the form of a tasty fresh challah. All you have to do is nominate a recipient by sending us an email and we will have it delivered. If you know someone who would appreciate a meal for Shabbat, or just in general, please let us know. We will be happy to arrange to have one sent to those who are really in need and without means to obtain help.

Every home needs a Mezuzah!

Lag B’Omer

On May 21, we will have a special event on Shabbat in honor of Lag B’Omer. Please call the office for more information.

Thanks to the generosity of a sponsor, here is an opportunity for you to have your first Mezuzah installed at your home. We have a limited number available. Rabbi Zaklos will be happy to correctly install it with special blessings and the Mezuzah ceremony. No home is complete without the protection of a Mezuzah! If you don’t have one, call Chabad.

Shavuot

Minyan

On Sunday, June 5 at noon, we will hold a Shavuot Party for the entire community. Come and bring the whole family to join the reading of The Ten Commandments, followed by an ice cream party. Please check with the office for details.

Chabad is here to help

Chabad Naples is meeting COVID surges with a surge of caring volunteers who are ready, willing and able to provide the elderly and homebound with the assistance they need. Shopping? Picking up prescriptions? Just ask! We are here for all of you.

If you have a yahrzeit or need to say Kaddish, we are always here to help make a minyan during the week. We are so grateful to those who help us with this minyan service when called. There have been so many minyan during the week, and it is amazing to see how the community comes together for each other.

always has a contemporary, meaningful and relevant message.

Hebrew school

We are currently offering in-person Hebrew school. Our Hebrew school classes are incredibly popular, providing the best in Hebrew language and religious education that is available.

Torah class

A Torah class is being offered on Wednesdays. If you wish to join, please RSVP to our office and we will send you the link. As the schedule changes at times, please reach out to confirm weekly.

Videos

Rabbi Fishel offers a video each week. If

you want to receive them, you can reach out to us at office@chabadnaples.com to be placed on the weekly email list. You can also view the past 12 months’ worth of videos at www.chabadnaples.com.

Preschool of the Arts

This is a very popular, amazing experience for your children and spaces may be limited, so early sign-up is recommended! Visit naplespreschoolofthearts.com.

Weekly email and mailing list

If you would like to be added to our weekly updates and mailing list, call 239-262-4474 or email office@ chabadnaples.com.

Are you in your forties or fifties, single and Jewish? Sign up now by emailing: rbialek@jewishnaples.org to meet other Jewish Singles

Shabbat services

Join us weekly for uplifting Shabbat services. Our warm and welcoming Shabbat services are held every Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. The Torah service begins at 11 a.m. and includes the rabbi’s insights during the Torah reading, which

Read our weekly eblast to learn when the next activity will be.

OF GREATER NAPLES

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Federation Star

FOCUS ON YOUTH

May 2022

CHABAD FGCU

www.Chabadfgcu.com / 347.452.0489

Purim fun By Rabbi Mendel Gordon

urim started with an exciting celebration in costumes with the Megila reading, dancing and lots of fun. Purim day, students joined in a second Purim celebration with a junglethemed sit-down dinner, bringing the spirit up to new heights. Rabbi Sholom Wechtor joined us for Purim to ensure that we would also be able to have megillah readings and celebrations for the local seniors that students visit on a regular basis. The week following Purim, we had parents Shabbat with many of the students’ parents joining us for the Shabbat

experience. It was so nice to see so many parents coming in from the east coast to celebrate Shabbat with us.

FGCU a source of Torah

Always looking to bring Jewish life at FGCU to new heights, we recently printed the Tanya, a base book of Jewish and Chasidic philosophy on campus. Making FGCU not just a place where Judaism is celebrated but a source from where Torah can spread to other places. The Tanya, written by Rabbi Shnaor Zalman of Liadi, was first printed in 1798 in Russia and fast became a

Jeffery Schour, Preston Cohen and Emily Glick participate in Hamentash bake-off

Shternie and Carley having Purim fun on campus.

Keith Goldberg was excited to get a FGCU Tanya.

BBYO

comment book in many Jewish homes. An inspiration to thousands, it has since been reprinted all over the world, making it the most printed Jewish book in the world. FGCU was print number 7,874. The Tanya is being given out to every Jewish student at FGCU as a start for their personal Jewish libraries. We would like to thank Shmuel Forshner, who helped arrange and sponsor the printing.

azabbg.bbyo.org/on-demand/home

Naples teens elected to regional board Jessica Zimmerman Regional Director, North Florida Region

halom Naples! BBYO Naples has had another great month. A group of Naples teens joined us at Spring Regional Convention in Orlando, April 1-3. The highlight of our year, SRC is where teens compete for the highly coveted spirit stick. At SRC this year, we hosted a speaker, Jonah Fisher, who encouraged teens to think about tangible ways to help with Ukrainian relief. We hosted a casino night and dance, celebrated our graduating seniors and learned about all BBYO has to offer over the summer. Teens are already looking forward to our next convention, Fall Con, Nov. 4-6. We are also very excited to announce that two Naples teens have been elected to North Florida’s Regional Board: Kylie Bell, NFR’s 19th Regional N’siah (BBG President) and Jacob Samuel,

NFR’s 19th Regional Shaliach (Vice President of Jewish Engagement and Social Action). It’s been three years since we’ve had Naples representation on the regional board. This month, BBYO Naples is heading to Busch Gardens for an exclusive

A big mazal tov to our seniors graduating in May. We wish them well in all their future endeavors. Chabad at FGCU caters to all Jewish students at FGCU and other local colleges. For more information regarding student programing or to connect, please reach out to Rabbi Mendel Gordon at 347452-0489 or Rabbi@chabadfgcu.com.

member-only experience! This will close out our year. If you are interested in learning more about Busch Gardens or our summer experiences, reach out to me directly. Have a lovely summer, Naples, and we hope to see you soon!

FOCUS ON YOUTH

May 2022

TEMPLE SHALOM PRESCHOOL

Federation Star

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www.naplestemple.org / 239.455.3030

Reflection and gratitude By Rabbi Ariel Boxman, Director of Lifelong Learning

s our preschool year comes to a close, the halls quiet down (temporarily) and the summer heat rolls in, I finally get a moment to reflect on the year that’s passed … and, boy, what a year it’s been! Our school has undergone some major changes and improvements and we can all feel the positive vibes. This year, we built a sports field for the children to enjoy soccer and other outdoor games, we began offering the state-recognized VPK program and introduced a monthly Moms Night Out for preschool parents to form meaningful connections. It has been a fun and busy year filled with lots of joy! Our school is growing and improving every day and it continues to be a place

of fun, laughter and learning; however, none of it would be possible without our unbelievable staff. Our teachers and enrichment specialists show up every morning with smiles on their faces, ready to instill knowledge and a love of learning into our students’ hearts and minds. Their work is priceless, and their words are unforgettable. Our teachers especially deserve immense gratitude. They are truly responsible for ensuring that there is a next generation of educated, happy and fulfilled children in our world. Thank you to all our preschool teachers from the bottom of my heart. We couldn’t do it without you! To my assistants, Julie and Mary, Mr. Eric and all our wonderful volunteers,

Temple Shalom Preschool Moms Night Out

Soccer enrichment with amazing athletes on our new field

Jewish 20

-40 year

olds!

thank you for your unbelievable dedication and commitment. Without your support, your ideas and positivity, our school would not run. Thank you for the hours and hours you pour into the school, from sending emails to making flyers to doing the tedious tasks required for art projects, festivals and more. I am grateful for each and every one of you and thank you for being my “people.”

We have a wonderful educational program, and I am so proud to be called director. I am blessed to work in a school like Temple Shalom and be surrounded by so much joy and happiness! We look forward to welcoming many students back for summer camp beginning in June, with the rest returning in August for the new school year.

FREE Jewish books kids will love, sent every month!

The Jewish Young Professionals of Greater Naples invite you to come socialize!

Add Jewish connections to reading time with curated stories for ages 0-12

Please email or call Renee’ to be added to the roster. rbialek@jewishnaples.org 239-263-4205

Jewish Young Professionals

Activities include: • Happy Hour We wa • Game Night your s nt to hear • Movie Night ug and id gestions • Shabbat Services upcom eas for • Volunteering ing ev ents! • Holiday Parties • Zoom Meet & Greets • and more!

OF GREATER NAPLES

Learn more at jewishnaples.org/pj-library

OF GREATER NAPLES

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Federation Star

FOCUS ON YOUTH

May 2022

PRESCHOOL OF THE ARTS

www.chabadnaples.com / 239.262.4474

Appreciating our natural gifts By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool of the Arts Founder & Director

pring is a season of hope, excitement and renewed vitality. I absolutely love this time of year at Preschool of the Arts, when we get to truly appreciate all the natural gifts we benefit from, like flowers, green grass, warm weather, sunshine, chirping birds, fluttering butterflies and lively animals. Although we are lucky enough to live in the Sunshine State all year, spring always holds the promise of new beginnings and plenty of adventures to come. At Preschool of the Arts, we feel that pulsing energy every day as the children bring their youthful spirit and joy for life into our classrooms. We feel so blessed to be a part of our children’s first educational experience and are constantly inspired by their love for learning and curiosity for the world around them. April was a very exciting one at POTA as we explored two themes — the holiday of Passover and the lifecycles of chickens. In preparation for Passover, our students “cleaned” their classrooms for the holiday to get rid of “chametz.” Children love to do real work and had a blast making their classrooms sparkling clean with small brooms, feather dusters, rags and spray bottles ﬁlled with water. The children also learned all about the story of Passover, starting with the story of baby Moses who ﬂoated down the Nile River in a basket. In a science and sensory lesson, the children used the water table to discover different items that sink or float like Moses in the basket. In art, the children designed their own Seder plates and Matzah covers to use at the Passover Seder! April was also the perfect month to learn about burgeoning life, and every year, we conduct a school-wide project to hatch baby chicks. Our children made daily visits to the eggs/chicks to check on their progress and discuss the various developments they could see,

hear, touch and smell. This presented an excellent opportunity to build vocabulary and learn about the senses and early science. Our older students kept journals to document their learning and observations throughout the hatching project. On April 28, we celebrated Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day! Our Preschool of the Arts staff are passionate, dedicated and committed to making our children the best they can possibly be. Our team of loving professionals are carefully selected for their warmth and passion for early childhood education. Every day, they expertly model the values of friendship, kindness and gratitude that make up the ethos of our school. Throughout the year, they toil to not only educate but love our students, guiding them to reach their full potential. Our annual appreciation day is a chance for our entire POTA family to come together and express heartfelt thanks for everything our educators do. This year, we hosted an appreciation breakfast for our staff, while our parents gave generous gifts of appreciation. Our staff enjoyed a delicious breakfast and the loving gestures from our wonderful parent body. At the end of the month, we moved on to our preparations for Mother’s Day, when we will host a “Love and Lemonade” Mother’s Day celebration in early May. Our fun, lemonade-themed event will allow our adorable young students to express their appreciation for the most important woman in their lives: their moms! At POTA, we know that the mothers give their all to our children every single day and deserve all the recognition in the world. We cannot wait to shower them with gifts and love! Want to learn more about our preschool and summer programs? Visit www. NaplesPreschooloftheArts.com or call 239-263-2620.

Preschool of the Arts children delight in hands-on nature explorations in our nature playscape.

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY TEMPLE SHALOM OF NAPLES (Reform) 4630 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, FL 34119 Phone: 455.3030  Fax: 455.4361 Email: info@naplestemple.org www.naplestemple.org Rabbi Adam Miller, MAHL Cantor Donna Azu, MSM Rabbi Ariel Boxman, MAHL, MARE, Director of Lifelong Learning Rabbi James H. Perman, D.D., Rabbi Emeritus Deborah Rosen Fidel, J.D., MAJPS, Executive Director Len Teitelbaum, President Jim Cochran, Music Director Shabbat Services: Shabbat Eve - Friday 7:30 p.m. Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m. Sisterhood Men’s Club Adult Education Havurot Youth Groups Religious School Judaic Library Hebrew School Preschool Adult Choir Social Action Naples’ only Judaica Shop

May 2022 JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND (Reform) 991 Winterberry Drive Marco Island, FL 34145 Phone: 642.0800  Fax: 642.1031 Email: tboxma@marcojcmi.com Website: www.marcojcmi.com Rabbi Mark Gross Hari Jacobsen, Cantorial Soloist Stan Alliker, President

Camp Gan Israel Hebrew School Preschool of the Arts Jewish Women’s Circle Adult Education Bat Mitzvah Club Friendship Circle Smile on Seniors Flying Challah Kosher food delivery

CHABAD OF BONITA SPRINGS & ESTERO 24611 Production Circle Bonita Springs, FL 34135 Phone: 239-949-6900 Email: chabad@jewishbonita.com Website: www.JewishBonita.com

BETH TIKVAH

Services are held at: The Unitarian Congregation 6340 Napa Woods Way Rabbi Howard Herman 431.3858 Email: rabbi@naplesjewishcongregation.org www.naplesjewishcongregation.org

1459 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34109

(Reform)

Charles Flum, President Jane Galler, Cantorial Soloist Shabbat Services Friday evenings 7 p.m. May - August: services once a month

Rabbi’s Lifelong Learning Series Sidney R. Hoﬀman Jewish Film Festival Saul I. Stern Cultural Series JCMI Book Club

Sisterhood • Men’s Club Adult Education • Adult Choir Social Action • Community Events

Ways to benefit from making non-cash gifts to your favorite charities: Give appreciated assets, & avoid paying capital gains tax Receive a charitable deduction for your gift which can lower your tax bill Receive lifetime income benefits for you and your family

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos Dr. Arthur Seigel, President Ettie Zaklos, Education Director Shabbat Services Shabbat - Saturday 10 a.m.

NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION

Shabbat Services Friday 7:30 p.m. Seasonal: Saturday Talmud-Torah at 9:30 a.m. and Shachrit at 10:30 a.m.

CHABAD NAPLES JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER serving Naples and Marco Island 1789 Mandarin Road, Naples, FL 34102 Phone: 262.4474 Email: info@chabadnaples.com Website: www.chabadnaples.com

Make greater gifts than you ever thought possible

Please contact us to learn how you can make a charitable gift today while preserving your cash for immediate or future needs. Ellen Weiss Executive Director 813.769.4785 ellen@topjewishfoundation.org

The Foundation of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Federation Star

Marcy Friedland Planned Giving Director 239.263.4205 mfriedland@jewishnaples.org

Together, we are ensuring a Jewish future.

15A

(Conservative)

(just west of Mission Square Plaza)

Phone: 434.1818 Email: oﬃce@bethtikvah.us Website: www.bethtikvahnaples.org Rabbi Ammos Chorny Steve Chizzik, President Roberta Miller, Secretary Shabbat Services Friday evenings 6:15 p.m. Saturday mornings 9:30 a.m. Youth Education Adult Education Community Events

Jewish Organizations to Serve You in Greater Naples (All area codes are 239 unless otherwise noted.)

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Phone: 263.4205  Fax: 263.3813 Website: www.jewishnaples.org Email: info@jewishnaples.org • Federation Board Chair: Jane Schiﬀ • Federation President/CEO: Jeﬀrey Feld

American Jewish Committee

Regional Dir: Brian Lipton, 941.365.4955

American Technion Society

Chapter Dir: Kelley Whiter, 561.395.7206

Friends of the IDF

Exec. Dir.: Dina Ben Ari, 305.354.8233

GenShoah SWFL 263.9200

Collier/Lee Chapter of Hadassah President: Joyce Toub, 518.330.1559

Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center

Chairperson: Stuart Price President/CEO: Susan Suarez, 263.9200

Israel Bonds

Monica DiGiovanni, 727.282.1124

Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida

President: Marina Berkovich, 566.1771

Jewish National Fund

Joshua Mellits, 941.462.1330 x865

Jewish War Veterans Post 202 Commander, Harvey Sturm, 261.3270

Men’s Cultural Alliance The Federation Star is published monthly, September through July, by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Rabbi Mendy & Luba Greenberg Co-directors

2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Suite 2201 Naples, FL 34109-0613

Services: Sunday 9 a.m. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. Shabbat 10 a.m.

Phone: 239.263.4205 • Fax: 239.263.3813 E-mail: info@jewishnaples.org • Website: www.jewishnaples.org

Adult Education Challah of Love Community Events Daily Minyan Services Hebrew School Kosher Grocery Kosher Meals on Wheels Smile on Seniors

Publisher: Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

Volume 31, No. 9 • May 2022 • 40 pages USPS Permit No. 1101

Editor: Sharon Hood • 239.591.2709 • sharon@marketcrank.com Design: MarketCrank, Inc.

President: Les Nizin, 653.9259

Naples BBYO

Jessica Zimmerman, 263.4205

Naples Friends of American Magen David Adom (MDA) SE Reg Dir: Joel Silberman, 954.457.9766

Naples Senior Center at JFCS Phone: 325.4444 Chairperson: Prentiss Higgins President/CEO: Dr. Jaclynn Faﬀer

PJ Library

Coordinator: Alicia Feldman www.jewishnaples.org/pj-library

Women’s Cultural Alliance

Advertising: Joy Walker • 941.284.0520

President: Patti Boochever, 518.852.3440

June 2022 Issue Deadlines: Editorial: April 28 • Advertising: May 5 Send news stories to: sharon@marketcrank.com

Zionist Organization of America President: Jerry Sobel, 914.329.1024

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Federation Star

May 2022

SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES ACTIVE ALREADY THIS SPRING by Joe Jayne, Truly Nolen Swarm season is well underway here in Southwest Florida and statewide, and unfortunately for homeowners, subterranean termites are already beginning to wreak havoc in our area. In fact, these termites cause billions of dollars of damage annually and are notorious for their destructive habits. Why are they so destructive? Because they break down cellulose substances (cellulose is what wood is made of) in the environment, turning them into nutrient rich material. This behavior makes them a Southwest Florida homeowner’s worst nightmare. Subterranean termites are social insects forming large colonies that move together. As the name implies, a subterranean termite’s home is underground, working and winding their way through the soil. It is important for homeowners to be aware of the differences in behavioral characteristics of subterranean termites versus other types of wood destroying organisms (other creatures can damage the structure). Familiarizing yourself with these traits can prove to be helpful in identifying signs of a possible infestation, as well as knowing what to look out for and where. Termites do not discriminate against home construction type and will eventually find their way inside any type of structure if the right conditions exist. Even homes constructed of concrete provide no match for a termite’s determination when attempting to invade your home. Although subterranean termites live below the soil, their tunneling capabilities allow them to weave and tunnel their way until they find an appropriate entry point.

There are several ways how subterranean termites can enter a home: 1. Mud Tunnels - Although the common way of entering the home is at ground level, subterranean termites also construct mud tunnels that allow them to reach entry points above the ground. These entry points can include even the smallest cracks and crevices in brick mortar and concrete slabs, (termites only need 1/64th of an inch) allowing them to travel through the interior of the foundational walls. The mud tunnels can be visible on interior and exterior stucco, drywall, brick, rock, adobe, ceilings, and most commonly foundation stem walls. 2. Wood-to-Ground - Structures that allow for wood-to-ground contact make the perfect roadway for termites to enter. Wooden support beams, viga beams, columns and posts, wooden decking/flooring, furniture and steps, window/door frames and more all provide ample opportunities for subterranean termites to find their way indoors. Additional wooden structures built onto the homes also provide possible entry points as homes built on concrete slabs are closer to the ground. 3. Expansion joints - In-between the concrete slabs of your home and the beginning of the brick and mortar, there are joints that may sometimes expand, allowing for a small enough gap to allow termites to enter. In fact, many expansion joints are often separated by a type of cork material, termites have no problem moving through these.

4. Wall fractures - small fractures in the concrete foundation or brick mortar running throughout the perimeter of your home also provide the ideal entry point for termites to enter, feeding off of the insulation and wooden framing on the interior of those walls. When diagnosing the level of termite activity in your home, accurate identification of possible entry points from the exterior leading into the interior of your home is critical. Seeking out and determining how termites are entering your home provides a good foundation on which a trained pest control professional can assist you in determining the severity of problem and next steps. As a reminder, you can always request a FREE inspection by calling us or by visiting www.trulynolen.com and clicking “Schedule Free Inspection.” (Joe Jayne is the Manager for Truly Nolen in Naples. His service office can be reached at (239) 643-2555. Founded in 1938, Tucson-based Truly Nolen of America (www.trulynolen.com ) is one of the largest family-owned pest control companies in the United States. To learn more about Termites and the variety you may have in your home, please visit https://www.trulynolen.com/termite-control/.)

Keeping homes termite free since 1938

Call Now!

239•494•3544 239 494 3544

Receive a FREE inspection and this great offer.

*Applicable to new annual service agreement.

PEST•TERMITE•RODENT•LAWN•INSULATION

Federation Star - May 2022

Articles inside

Appreciating our natural gifts

Reflection and gratitude

Naples teens elected to regional board

Purim fun

At Chabad Naples

Learning available for all

Grateful and eager for the future

How do we measure success?

Rabbi Chorny contracts to lead Beth Tikvah another 5 years

The season of sacred pilgrimage

Strengthening our bond with Israel this summer

FIDF Miami supporters rally around defenders of Israel

Jewish National Fund-USA to Help Bring Congregations Home to Israel for a Visit

Yom Ha’atzmaut is a time for mangal

New dose of Bayer; superheroes and sci-fi heroes, Maverick redux, more

The Freedman Jewish music collection

When parents and adult children are estranged

May is Jewish American Heritage month

Presenting Hadassah’s 2022 Inspiring Women Award

Hadassah abroad and at home

Temple Shalom events open to the community

Experienced leaders join Naples Senior Center board

Making a difference in our community

A photographic update of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

Paving the way for the Niner Iser Jewish Cultural Center

WCA is building a community of friendship

The passing of MCA Founder Steve Brazina

What’s your plan?

IAC speaker Avi Melamed analyzes the current Middle East

Israel will be there

Meet the Schwartz family

Why not dance?

A whole lot of good going on here

The Pope’s rabbi speaks at Naples event

David Dalin discusses Jewish Supreme Court justices

Jewish Community Relations Council closes season with flurry of activity

Jewish Young Professionals of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

American Jews and Jewish organizations need remixed Judaism

An oasis of hope in a desert of madness

Happening this month

State of the Federation