3 minute read
“Can you hear the ROAR?”
By Gail Smith, outgoing Lion of Judah Co-chair
As outgoing Lion of Judah (LOJ) co-chair, the past three years have brought me immense joy, satisfaction and great honor to lead this incredible group of ladies. We truly worked hard to elevate the Greater Naples Lion of Judah experience. Hopefully, you feel we accomplished this mission!
The Lion of Judah Pride features an outstanding group of women committed to ensuring the continuity and enrichment of Jewish life in our community, around the world and in Israel. As of this writing, we have grown to 134 lovely ladies, having added 49 members in the last two years. Your monies contributed 46% of the donation to our Annual Community Campaign.
A listing of all the funds to which we contribute annually can be found in the Federation Impact Report. Please remember that a minimum commitment of $5,000 a year is needed to become a LOJ. We’re truly grateful to each of you for your continued support. Please see Development Director Alicia Feldman if you have any questions about joining our philanthropic society.
Besides our charitable activities, we held several social events during the season, trying to make them both informative and entertaining. We started out with one luncheon and a community project which changes yearly. We now hold two well attended luncheons, one at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center and one offsite in the community. Then, we were privileged to have Ellaine Rosen, one of our own Lions, add an annual tour of an exhibit at the Naples Art Institute. This past year, we added a bus trip to The Wick Theatre & Costume Museum. Thankfully, all our events have been well attended.
I personally thank each and every Lion of Judah for your ongoing support. If you haven’t given it a try, don’t hesitate! I know you will find a welcoming and warm group of Jewish ladies.
I would be very remiss if I didn’t mention the joy I shared working with my Co-chair Estelle Price. She is priceless!
Finally, at the last luncheon, the powers that be at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples honored my dear co-chair and me with a lovely Tzedakah box. For me, it has a double meaning. Giving through the Lion of Judah initiative, plus my decision this year to endow my pin, is important and personal to me. I have two grown daughters and one 10-year-old granddaughter. I want them to understand, through my giving, the empowerment of their mother/grandmother in her Jewishness and her commitment to the Jewish people around the world. It also shows my three grandsons that I put my money where my “big” mouth is and that they have an obligation.
My parents, Ida Mae and Isadore Heller, of blessed memory, showed my brother and myself how important the acts of giving and sharing are. I hope they would be proud to know both my brother and I, along with my beloved husband, Russ, carry on their legacy of tzedakah and that we have taught the next two generations of its importance.
Thank you for such an honor.
Stay healthy. Enjoy your summer. See you next season.
