6 minute read
Providing for you and our community
A sampling of the difference made by your donations to the Annual Community Campaign
By Rosalee Bogo, 2025 Annual Community Campaign Chair
Here it is May, and so much is still happening in our community. Most important is that we can kvell over how many people visited our Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center weekly. Programs were brought to us by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, MCA, WCA and others. There were programs to educate, entertain and to gather our donors to raise funds required to provide the vital services needed locally and for Jews around the world. And there was the recent awards program, too!
Power of Community Award
The Power of Community Award went to members of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue — Marty Gauthier, co-chair of the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue, and the Very Rev. Robert J. Kantor, V.F., Pastor, St. Agnes Catholic Church. When individuals join with common purpose, their power to create positive change becomes limitless. True community isn't simply about gathering, it's about uplifting one another and working toward a shared vision of a better world. Thank you to these tireless advocates.
Heart of Community Award
The Heart of Community Award went to our very own Patti Boochever for her exemplary dedication to building and nurturing our Jewish community. Through selfless volunteerism and compassionate service, Boochever has enriched the lives of generations. Her commitment to strengthening our bonds has created lasting connections and fostered a sense of belonging for all. Boochever truly embodies what it means to be the heart of our community.
Human Needs Awards
Several years ago, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ Board of Trustees and the Jewish Community Relations Council established a “Fund for Human Needs” to recognize organizations for their generous spirit and service to Greater Naples and Collier County.
This award enables the JCRC and JFGN to acknowledge the positive contributions of several select local nonprofit organizations in our community. Annually, monetary awards are given to up-to two “small” nonprofit agencies. The objective is to identify organizations who serve a severely means-limited, disadvantaged population.
Human Needs Awards Subcommittee Chair Liz Jaffe, along with subcommittee members Penni Blaskey and Ida Margolis announced this year’s recipients:
• Dale Mullin, founder of Warrior Homes of Collier
• Mary Asta, Gargiulo Education Center executive director
Stand Up for Justice grants
The Stand Up for Justice educator grants recognize high school, middle school and elementary school educators who are innovative in bringing respect for others’ differences into their activities with students in a transformative, impactful and caring way. The goal is to create a resource for educators of any discipline to incorporate strategies that promote understanding and respect among students, countering bigotry and bullying.
These grants recognize teachers, school counselors, school librarians, media specialists, school psychologists, administrators and other school professionals in positions of leadership and authority who have influence over students’ daily learning experiences. We were honored to recognize the following 2026 Stand Up for Justice educator grant awardees:
• Michael Daniels, East Naples Middle School
• Catherine Crawford, New Beginnings Naples and Beacon High School
• Liddy Sexton and Julie Hayford, Naples High School
• Jennifer Berning, Manatee Middle School (Principal Jay Fike accepted the award)
Education scholarships
High school seniors from our Jewish community were awarded scholarship money to help continue their education.
The Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award recognizes the achievements of Collier County high school seniors demonstrating leadership in their activities at their respective congregations and/or BBYO youth group. They are recognized for their successful balancing of Jewish leadership, high school academics, athletics and clubs, and community service. A onetime award of $2,500 each, to subsidize their freshman year, will be sent directly to the universities where these deserving seniors attend next fall.
This year’s Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Awards winners are:
• Adam Dorio
• Sidney Kamerman
• Julia Reilly
It was truly a day of celebration!
In addition to the awards, the new Board of Directors was installed and we said farewell to three longstanding Board members: Jay Weiss, Harvey Cohen and Beth Wolff. Thank you all for your years of service and dedication to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.
The Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center was built for the purposes listed above and everyone who enjoys it should help with expenses incurred by so much usage. That is another reason the Annual Community Campaign is so important. With the constant flow of different programs in many rooms throughout the day, set ups hurriedly need changing and the rooms cleaned. The exterior of the building and property must be maintained. An expense we never dreamed would be so costly is our security.
There are 29 local beneficiaries that benefit from the funds we raise to answer needs of our local community and to make our Jewish community stronger. There are 14 recipients of funds for national, overseas and Israel initiatives. We strongly support other Jewish organizations that help Jews as well. We all practice Tikkun Olam. If you have made a gift to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples’ 2025 Annual Community Campaign, thank you. When you think about what JFGN provides for you and our community, if you have not made a commitment yet, please take the opportunity as your obligation to do your share.
Our 2025 campaign is ending in a few months. I hope that, from my articles this season, you have learned how important it is to support our fundraising as so many people benefit from it. The Allocations Committee will be meeting soon, and many needs must be met.
Thanks to all of you who have given to the campaign. Together, as one , we can make it all happen.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer.
