A new season at Naples Jewish Congregation

Roberta Obler, President

The weather has turned a little cooler and the snowbirds are returning. It’s time for everything to start up again at Naples Jewish Congregation.

We had beautiful High Holiday services, both in person and streaming. Rabbi Howard Herman conducted meaningful services with inspirational words regarding the need for us all to do the right thing in order to achieve holiness. Due to COVID, NJC suspended participation of our choir. Cantorial soloist Jane Galler and choir member Peter Weissman handled the music beautifully, with the aid of our music director, Alla Gorelik.

We had wonderful participation by congregants, either in person, in the sanctuary or on Zoom. All in all, it was one of the most meaningful High Holidays services I have attended. And all this despite the power failure on Yom Kippur afternoon for about two hours, where we continued streaming on battery power.

We have since decided to mostly revert to streaming services through the end of this calendar year. We hope to resume services occasionally on the patio in person, and then in person in the sanctuary in January (or sooner, if deemed safe).

In addition to regular services, we had a special service on Zoom for Simchat Torah, filled with songs, Torah readings and education. We also participated, along with Jews from all over North America, in the Union For Reform, Judaism’s special Celebrate Simchat Torah Zoom presentation of song, storytelling and Torah reading. It was a fun experience.

NJC is continuing with its series of “NJC Connects” – programs to connect our members while we are still not able to meet in person. The program for October was part of the “Talk Amongst Ourselves” sessions. The topic, “Civil Discourse in an Uncivilized Age,” led by Rabbi Herman and past president Steve McCloskey, was held on Oct. 5. This is Part 3 of this topic, which has been vigorously discussed among many congregants. More programs will be scheduled for the following months.

Adult education, provided by Rabbi Herman, began in October with our first session scheduled on Oct. 19. The topic, “Plagues and Pandemics in Jewish History,” was a very timely discussion. Five more education programs are planned.

NJC’s Sisterhood had a robust program of events planned for the 2021- 2022 year. Unfortunately, the program for November will be delayed, but we hope to resume this fabulous programming soon. Co-presidents Marilyn Goldenberg and Shelley McCloskey, along with committee members Rochelle Pollens and Sandy Demovsky, are working hard to make the events work in these uncertain times.

In this High Holiday season, Rabbi Herman and all of Naples Jewish Congregation have been considering the times we live in and how we, as Jews, should be acting. We have heard from Rabbi Herman on our responsibilities to ourselves, each other and the world: Tikun Olam, and our responsibility to do the right thing in all situations; and righteousness, to behave and act constructively and for the benefit of others. I believe this is our obligation as a Jewish people.