We are underway!

Construction on the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center begins

By Marcy Friedland, Capital Campaign & Planned Giving Director

Construction on the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center has begun, and we can begin to see an end in sight. Appreciating how far we have come, we realize we still have a ways to go.

“The growth of the Federation since incorporation in 1992 has brought us here,” says Jeffrey D. Feld, JFGN president and CEO.

“We are seeing the culmination of 5 years of planning and dreaming, and are moving to the exciting moment when the Jewish community and the rest of Southwest Florida will be able to experience and see our impact. We would not be here without the support of our donors and community.”

Construction will start with road improvements and site preparation. While that may not seem particularly exciting, it does mark the beginning of the timeline, which, barring material delivery and other potential construction delays, is expected to take about a year. G-d willing, we hope to have a grand opening in January 2023!

In addition, we are excited to announce that we have met the $1 Million Challenge Matching Grant generously contributed by:

• Shelley and Steve Einhorn

• Steve Iser

• Debbie Laites and Ben Post

• Bebe and Stephen Saks

• Joan and Marc Saperstein

• Jane Schiff

• Phyllis Seaman

• Arlene and Michael Sobol

Our deepest gratitude goes to these generous challenge matching grant donors, as well as the 475 families who have contributed to the center’s Capital Campaign fundraising commitment, which currently totals $12.5 million of our $15 million goal.

While it is exciting to get started, the current environment has resulted in pandemic-related inflation of costs and shortages of many building supplies. Our building committee remains committed to monitoring these trends.

Recently, we earned Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating, which ensures donors that JFGN operates with financial health, accountability and transparency.

As we celebrate this auspicious beginning, it is worth reflecting on the impact this project will have on our donors, the Greater Naples community and our programming. Our new 19,000-square-foot building has been thoughtfully designed, with flexible spaces to accommodate the wishes and needs of our donors and the community now and into the future.