Join us to honor, celebrate and thank you for contributing to the Annual Community Campaign.
Power of Community Celebration *ANNUAL MEETING * AWARD CEREMONY*
Together, As One 2025 Annual Community Campaign Sunday, March 30, 1–3 p.m. • Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center
OF GREATER NAPLES
CELEBRATING JEWISH LIFE IN GREATER NAPLES, ISRAEL AND THE WORLD
FEDERATI N STAR
Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples
SERVING NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
www.JewishNaples.org Y March 2025 – Adar/Nissan 5785 Y Vol. 34 #6 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 15 Men’s Cultural Alliance 16 Women’s Cultural Alliance 21 Organizations 1A Arts & Entertainment 6A Community Focus 14A Jewish Interest 16A Israel & the Jewish World 18A Rabbinical Reflections 20A Synagogue News 22A Focus on Youth 23A Community Directory Lights, Camera, Action! Don’t miss screenings of this year’s five films of the Naples Jewish Film Festival. 7
JBF Celebrates 10th Year In celebration of its 10th year, on March 10, the Jewish Book Festival brings back Talia Carner, the very first author featured at its first book festival.
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Discover Your Jewish Heritage This engaging free session answers your questions and guides you through the first steps of Jewish genealogy.
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Silver Circle community leaders spotlight By Paula Filler, 2025 Endowment Chair
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ruce and Carol Sherman’s local Youngstown Jewish philanthropic journey Federation. Throughout their began in Youngstown, marriage, Carol and Bruce Ohio, where they grew up. As continued to support children and teens, they became their local temple active in Jewish Federation and Federation as programs, Bruce joining AZA, active volunteers Aleph Zadik Aleph, and Carol and donors while joining BBG, B’nai Brith Girls. raising their two These organizations provided daughters. Paula Filler opportunities to develop leadAs their retireership skills, participate in community ment years drew near, the Jewish service projects and form strong bonds population in Youngstown dwindled within their Jewish community. Bruce to an estimated 1,000 Jews. Prioritizing credits his BBYO mentor, Aaron Grossa location with a Jewish community, they man, who was like a second father to found Naples, which offered a rich Jewish him, with developing his leadership skills and belief in giving Jewishly. Once Carol and Bruce became a couple, another mentor, Esther Marks, continued to support their development as community leaders. Their involvement in Jewish Federation fostered friendships with Jews all over Ohio. Carol and Bruce cherished the sense of community and shared values that came from giving their time, energy and gifts to Jewish Federation. Even in their first year of marriage, 55 years ago, they decided to make a gift to their Carol and Bruce Sherman
Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 4720 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119
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cultural life and various learning opportunities through Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. B r u c e ’s s t r o n g leadership skills are utilized by Temple Shalom and the Men’s Cultural Alliance, an affinity group of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. Carol is a Board member and leader in the Women’s Cultural Alliance, an affinity group of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and a volunteer at Temple Shalom. Carol and Bruce appreciate how their family gift to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples provides the professional expertise to spend the money wisely and address the most urgent Jewish needs both locally and globally. They are extremely proud that both of their daughters have embraced their Jewish identity with a commitment to Jewish philanthropy.
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OUR IMPACT
We support Jews here, Israel, and overseas, as well as provide local programming that builds Jewish knowledge, identity, and community.
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