SAVE THE DATE
2015 FEDERATION COMMUNITY CELEBRATION All Aboard the USS Jewish Federation of Collier County luxury liner on Saturday, January 31 at the exotic port of Wyndemere Country Club. Mark your calendar for a luxurious land-locked “cruise” with fellow travel lovers.
“Cruise Directors” Rosalee Bogo, Phyllis Seaman, Wallie Lenchner and Andrea Tretter will meet and greet you with delightful gourmet fare from our favorite Ports of Call.
Enjoy music, dancing and lavish cocktail extravaganzas with new and retiring Captains.
Celebrating Jewish Life in Collier County, Israel and the World
Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Collier County serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities
www.JewishNaples.org INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 4 Women’s Cultural Alliance 5 Men’s Cultural Alliance 6 Community Focus 11 Jewish Interest 12 Tributes 16 Israel & the Jewish World 20 Commentary 21 Business Directory 24 Focus on Youth 26 Rabbinical Reflections 26 Synagogues 28 Organizations 30 Community Calendar 31 Community Directory
6 Pledge Riders tour the Holocaust Museum
9 The Naples Orchestra and Chorus’s new conductor
10 Subject of Israeli bestseller to visit Naples
25 Naples BBYO update
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October 2014 - Tishrei/Cheshvan 5775
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Vol. 24 #2
Choices and b’sheirt – a chat with Federation’s new executive By Carole J Greene
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effrey Feld, the Jewish Federation of Collier County’s brand new Executive Officer, had occupied his new office for three days when I hit him with my question for this article: Why you, why here, why now? His answer in our delightful conversation over the next hour boiled down to “choices and b’sheirt” – it’s meant to be, but possibly heavier on the latter. Early in adulthood, Jeffrey Feld chose a career path in Jewish communal service and has never regretted it. From camp director and teen-tween-BBYOsingles program director, to director of suburban services, to YMHA & YWHA director, to executive director of Jewish Federations in both Savannah and Memphis, Jeffrey has climbed the rungs of a career ladder that has spanned 40+ years and several states. Whether in Pittsburgh, Passaic, Nashville, Savannah or Memphis, Jeffrey made choices to benefit the community he served as well as his own family. His decision to come to Naples came because he was ready for “another adventure” in his career. “Every move brought me more opportunities to expand the focus of my career,” Jeffrey said. Every move also involved the hopes and dreams of his family, not merely Jeffrey’s professional ambitions. In each community, he and wife Susan made friends they still have, decades later. He found Susan when he moved from Pittsburgh to Passaic. He’d chatted with a mentor about his various job options and heeded his mentor’s advice: “Go to Passaic. All the cute girls are there.” Jeffrey found the right cute girl for himself and, while creating a team to help him climb his chosen career ladder, married her. “My two children were born in New Jersey,” Jeffrey said, his eyes sparkling with pride. Both those kids have now graduated college and begun their own careers, but it was Susan’s request that Jeffrey stay in one job until they left high school that kept him in Memphis for 16 years. As noted in last month’s Federation Star article about Jeffrey, while executive director of the Memphis Jewish Fed-
Jewish Federation of Collier County Inc. 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
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eration he “conducted nine consecutive record-breaking annual campaigns” and “played an extensive role in obtaining significant endowment gifts for the Foundation.” With their children grown and gone, Jeffrey gave the Memphis Federation a date, certain that he would leave his position there, so they could find his replacement and effect an easy transition. Not so easy was Susan’s leaving her position as director of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center at Temple Israel. She’s still there. Until November. “Throughout my career,” Jeffrey said, “Susan has always helped me determine where I’d go and when.” It was only right and proper that he allow her the same courtesy, so for his first three months, he’s settling in here without his wife. With or without Susan at his side, Jeffrey is getting acquainted with his new community, attending Shabbat services at various congregations, meeting leaders of the local Jewish community.
“My perspective has always been that everyone is important. It’s critical to have good relationships with staff and leaders, as well as to make friends. I feel blessed that, in many cases, the people I’ve worked with have also become dear friends.” After Jeffrey told the Memphis Jewish Federation the date he would depart their employ, he explored several possibilities for his next adventure – in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. “I became aware of this position, explored it and decided. I think it was b’sheirt. I’m thrilled to have this happen – to continue the progress of the Jewish Federation of Collier County and to help it grow. Our decision to come to paradise – and that’s what Naples is – was thoughtful, planful but also fortunate.” Thoughtful, carefully explored options, good decisions among choices, and a sense of “it’s meant to be” have brought Jeffrey Feld and, come November, Susan Feld, to our paradise. We’re fortunate too.
We Wish You a Sweet New Year With the recent crisis in Israel still foremost in our minds, we realize that our unity is more important than ever. So this Rosh Hashanah, let’s look past our labels and work together as one people – for a truly sweet new year.
Shanah Tovah from our family at the Jewish Federation of Collier County to you and yours.
FEDERATION
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