4 minute read
Women make the difference
By Rosalee Bogo, 2025 Annual Community Campaign Chair
So many different groups and activities are now meeting at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center that when I drive up most days, there is not a place to park. We have 2,500 to 3,000 people using the building each week. This is the very reason the building was built! Hundreds attend the Jewish Book Festival, WCA and MCA programs, and the many programs Jewish Federation of Greater Naples offers, including fundraising and social events.
There are many events planned for the Annual Community Campaign. One such event we just held had great importance for two reasons. The Women in Philanthropy Luncheon had an attendance of 121 guests, half of which were Next Gen women who, up until this point, had only been to the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center for games or social events. These groups are the ones who will follow my generation in carrying on the work of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.
The speaker for the Women in Philanthropy Luncheon was Robin Friedman, cofounder of TribeTalk. Friedman and Judith Sydney, her partner in the endeavor, established the Boston based organization to address tween, teens and college students on what they might experience as Jewish individuals in the world outside of their bubble. The leaders of TribeTalk came to our community to coach parents and grandparents on how to teach their children and grandchildren to identify and combat antisemitism.
TribeTalk also goes to Jewish sleep-away camps, college campuses and other places Jewish youth gather to teach these students how to defend themselves when confronted by those full of hate for Israel, Zionism and the Jewish people.
Luncheon attendees, including our Next Gen ladies who have kids that are in the target age group, were very grateful that this subject was brought to them. It was a very informative and engaging event.
Many in the room were first time donors to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples and wondered why they were called Women in Philanthropy. We at the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples believe that it is not the size of the gift, but the consistent commitment to improving the well-being of others that we value. A Woman in Philanthropy is also a leader. She stands strong in leading initiatives and inspiring others to give of themselves.
As is typical of all campaign events, our local leaders explained what the funds we raise in the campaign are used for. Hopefully, the attendees will continue to get more involved with the important work we at Jewish Federation of Greater Naples support.
Special congratulations to Susan Pittelman, winner of a diamond Star of David necklace donated by Gabriel Alves, owner of Crown Jewelers of Naples. Pittelman’s entry in “What Woman Inspired Me to be a Philanthropist” was a beautiful tribute to her mother and the community in which she was raised.
The Annual Community Campaign is moving along with the Campaign Cabinet working to get the funds in for our allocations and beneficiaries. Allocation packets are going out to recipients of the funds to place their request and give information that will guide the allocations committee.
If you have given to the 2025 Annual Community Campaign, thank you so much. If you have not been contacted, please let us know, so you can have the opportunity to keep us moving forward in our local endeavors and the care of Jews around the world.
