WCA is building a community of friendship

By Susan Pittelman, WCA Publicity Coordinator

We all know how 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, programs and special events provide members multiple ways to connect with other women. Last summer, WCA formed a Young Women’s Division, to help women 60 years old and younger meet and develop friendships.

Members often share surprising and serendipitous stories of how WCA has facilitated connecting with old friends. Enjoy reading some of these WCA “coincidences” that rekindled or sparked friendships.

WCA President Patti Boochever told me that when she was reviewing who was coming to a New Member Coffee last year, she spotted the name of a former neighbor who had moved away years ago. Patti explained that she had no idea Cheryl Ginsburg had moved to Naples. The two old friends (and carpool moms) quickly reconnected.

Susan Pittleman and Susan Pittelman finally met, thanks to WCA.

New member Patty Chodosh moved to Naples not knowing anyone. She explained, “Prior to experiencing my first winter as a snowbird from Minnesota, it was suggested that I join the WCA. Imagine my surprise when I received a message from a long-lost friend from 30 years ago that read, ‘I just saw the WCA birthday list with your name. Could it be?’ Thanks to WCA, we have plans to meet and rekindle our friendship. WCA not only has wonderful programs, but also brings women together in the most unusual ways.”

Dana Strull shared a story about how she and Hilary Marks reconnected through WCA Younger Division. Dana explained, “Our kids both went

to Camp Beber in Wisconsin and ended up at the University of Miami. Hilary and I met in fall 2018, when our daughters ran into each other at Bed Bath & Beyond. Hillary and I discovered that Naples was a common denominator for us. She had recently moved to Naples, and I was dating someone from Naples. We were both excited, as neither of us knew anyone in Naples, so we made dinner plans. Then COVID hit. Fast forward 2½ years … I got engaged, which meant spending a lot more time in Naples without knowing anyone, and I joined WCA. Then, thanks to Shelly Bell, WCA started the Younger Women’s Division. At the first event, a dinner in fall of 2021, Hilary came up to me and said that she thinks we know each other. The rest is history!”

Wendy Cohen

Wendy Cohen and Jane Schiff reconnected at a WCA event.

Jane Schiff

Wendy Cohen and Jane Schiff reconnected at a WCA event.

Dana added, “I have met several women through WCA Younger Division, where there’s only one or two degrees of separation — kids, college, mutual friends. I love that about the Jewish community! Before joining WCA, I didn’t know anyone. But now, I’ve met some wonderful women and have a terrific group of friends in Naples!”

Federation Board Chair Jane Schiff has her own entertaining story! She relayed, “I arrived in Bonita Springs knowing only one person other than my husband. Calling Federation, I was led to WCA and went to a few events and met some lovely women. I signed up for a WCA bracelet-making lesson at the Bonita Arts Center by sending my check to a Wendy Cohen. She and I exchanged a few emails about the event.

Cheryl Ginsburg

Patti Boochever spotted her former member’s name, Cheryl Ginsburg on the list for a WCA New Member Coffee.

Patti Boochever

Patti Boochever spotted her former member’s name, Cheryl Ginsburg on the list for a WCA New Member Coffee.

“On the appointed evening, I drove to the Bonita Arts Center, having no idea where the class was being held. As I roamed the center, I became anxious as it was well after the starting time. Eventually, I found the proper room and, still feeling very uptight, entered the room and looked around. Everyone was already busily working on their bracelets, and I knew I was very late.

“I stood, somewhat frozen in place. A woman came up to me and, with warm familiarity, said, ‘Hi! Jane.’ I know I looked like a deer caught in the highlights and she then said, ‘I’m Wendy Cohen.’ I said ‘Hi, nice to meet you.’ She said ‘Jane, you know me, I’m Wendy Monroe.’ What went through my head was, Wendy Monroe from Maryland Avenue Public School, which I left in fifth grade to go a different school? Wendy Monroe, who I hung out with our mutual friend Davie? That Wendy Monroe? I looked closely and yes, it was that Wendy Monroe. With huge relief, I knew I was in the right place.”

I personally am indebted to WCA for helping me connect with the “Pittleman clan” from Washington D.C. When Shellie Specter coordinated the WCA Membership Directory several years ago, she called to tell me that there was another Susan Pittelman! I had known that she had existed, but I had no idea that Susan and her husband were in Naples! We have gotten together many times and are thrilled to have cousins, albeit distant ones, in Naples.

As one new member so aptly expressed at a WCA New Member Coffee, “I have fi nally found my groove with this group.”