Preparing for tomorrow

A season of strength and security

Nammie Ichilov, Federation President

As we enter the quieter months of summer, when many of our community members travel and our programming shifts to a gentler pace, this year feels different. While the calendar may suggest a season of rest, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples has chosen this time for intentional action. We are actively strengthening our community's foundation for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Recent national discourse has questioned whether Jewish leadership across North America has fallen into a comfortable status quo, failing to adequately address the rising tide of antisemitism affecting our communities. There were nearly 10,000 antisemitic incidents across the United States last year alone, representing a continuous surge since Oct. 7, 2023. But, here in our corner of the world, we reject that narrative entirely. Rather than maintaining business as usual, we are taking decisive steps to secure our community's future and confront the realities of our time.

This July marks a pivotal moment in our Jewish Federation's evolution. We are proud to announce the addition of a full-time Jewish Community Relations Council professional to our team, Alan Zagier. This is a strategic investment that signals our commitment to proactive advocacy and community protection. This dedicated professional will serve as our community's voice in the broader civic arena, working directly with elected officials, interfaith partners and educational leaders from K-12 through higher education.

The mission is clear: address antisemitism at its source. Too often, “Jewhatred” flourishes in environments where education about Jewish history, culture, and Israel is absent or distorted. Our new JCRC Director will work tirelessly to correct false narratives, challenge age-old antisemitic tropes and build bridges of understanding before misunderstanding takes root. This is not just about defending ourselves today, rather, it is about safeguarding the Jewish experience for generations to come.

Alongside our advocacy efforts, we are also enhancing security protocols at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Beginning this fall, all campus visitors will notice new requirements: mandatory ID badge display, individual access scanning to prevent "piggybacking," and an enhanced culture of vigilance where community members are empowered to speak up when something seems amiss.

We know these changes represent an adjustment, and we're counting on the understanding and cooperation of our entire community to make them successful. Your partnership in embracing these new protocols is essential. Together, we can maintain the welcoming, secure environment that makes our center special. These visible changes represent just the surface of comprehensive security upgrades happening behind the scenes throughout our off-season.

We understand that increased security measures might feel daunting, but we are committed to implementing them in ways that preserve the warmth and openness that define our community space. The Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center will remain a place where Jewish life flourishes, and where we are more welcoming than ever, and more secure than ever.

As we navigate these challenging times, we are reminded of the ancient teaching: "In a place where there are no human beings, strive to be human." Our community's response to rising antisemitism will not be to retreat or remain passive, but to step forward with courage, wisdom and strategic action.

This summer's preparations are not just about facility upgrades or staff additions, they are about ensuring our community remains vibrant, safe and influential for decades to come. We are continuing down our path to build something stronger than what we inherited, something worthy of passing to the next generation.

When we reconvene for our busy fall season, we will do so with enhanced capabilities, stronger partnerships and unshakeable resolve. The future of Jewish life in our community has never been more secure, and we invite you to be part of this important work.

Security alert

Recent events, including attacks in Israel, occurred after this edition went to press. While our published articles may not address these current situations, your safety remains our absolute priority. We strongly urge all community members to:

• Stay informed through current news sources

• Remain vigilant in your daily activities

• Report any suspicious activity immediately

• If you see something, say something.

For the most current security updates and community alerts, please make sure that your most current email is in our system or follow our social media channels.

Publication timeline

The articles and content in this edition were submitted and finalized 3-4 weeks prior to publication. Due to this production schedule, some content may not reflect recent developments or current security concerns that have emerged since the editorial deadline.