Five More Great Events in January! www.JewishBookFestival.org
Celebrating Jewish Life in Greater Naples, Israel and the World
Federation Star Published by the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Serving Naples, Marco Island and the surrounding communities
www.JewishNaples.org Y January 2021 – Tevet/Shevat 5781 Y Vol. 30 #5 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 6 Men’s Cultural Alliance 8 Women’s Cultural Alliance 10 Community Focus 10 Tributes 14 Jewish Interest 16 Israel & the Jewish World 17 Commentary 18 Organizations 22 Synagogues 25 Focus on Youth 28 Community Directory “New Map of the Middle East” Don’t miss IAC’s second speaker series program Jan 4. featuring guest speaker Galit Peleg.
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27 The Saul I. Stern Cultural Series This season’s JCMI cultural series offers three wonderful programs, beginning Jan. 16. Page 27 International Holocaust Remembrance Day Attend this unique virtual program and unveiling of the skylight-powered solar calendar on the “Liberation Wall” on Jan. 27
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Planting community roots Jane Schiff Federation Board Chair
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have always thought it amazing that Jews have been celebrating trees for centuries. Having been in Israel during Tu BiShevat one year, I remember planting trees on that day. Arbor Day, an American version of Tu BiShevat, was founded in 1872 and Earth Day was founded in 1970. Tu BiShevat appears in the Mishnah and is sometimes referred to as the birthday of trees or the new year of trees. Indeed, arriving as it does in the middle of winter, after Tu BiShevat, the trees begin the new cycle of blooming. Naples, Florida is beginning a new cycle of its Jewish community. Our new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center is moving forward, even though it looks like nothing is happening. We’re just like the trees in January (up north), which look like they are doing nothing in January, but are actually preparing to start their bloom. We now have zoning approval from Collier County, which is a big deal. We are in the process of ironing out the details of the site plan and the traffic flow. Then comes the building permits. So, while it looks like nothing is happening with the new building, a lot is happening in
Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Ste. 2201 Naples, FL 34109
preparation for the forthcoming construction that will happen, God willing. But, like trees need water, air and sunlight, the building needs its infrastructure — sound plans, approvals and money. We have raised (at the time of the writing of this article in early December) just under $8 million. Trees planted and growing together create a forest. Our building will only be created if we have the financial support of a majority of the community. You will use the building. You will enjoy the building. It will be your building — the building for the entire Jewish
community. We need your financial support to build and support its construction and ongoing maintenance needs. Please contact Marcy Friedland at 239263-4205 or mfriedland@jewishnaples.org for information or to make your contribution. We are counting on you to be the sunlight that helps grow our building, just as trees need sunlight to grow and flourish. Like I planted trees in Israel on Tu Bishevat, you can plant your Jewish roots here in Naples with a contribution to the Capital Campaign.
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Fort Myers, FL Permit No 521
Are you ready to build or remodel the home of your dreams? LEARN MORE ON PAGE 3
