3 minute read
Greater Naples Lion of Judah pride roared through season
By Estelle Price and Gail Smith, Lion of Judah Co-chairs
The Lion of Judah pride enjoyed a busy and incredible month of March. The week of March 10 through 17 featured a successful food drive for the Baker Senior Center Naples (BSCN) food pantry. The drive culminated with a tour of BSCN’s beautiful facility and a volunteer opportunity to serve lunch to the 200 members present at the center’s Wednesday weekly lunch.
In addition, the women present, heard from CEO and Greater Naples Lion of Judah, Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, concerning opportunities offered to Baker Senior Center Naples members, and more specifically, what the organization does for local Holocaust survivors.
Baker Senior Center Naples is a beneficiary of Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, and this experience offered a chance for our Lions to see how their generosity makes an impact on people in our very own community. It was a spectacular afternoon!
On March 18 and April 1, nearly 40 Lions toured the Matisse exhibit at Naples Art Institute. Our very own Greater Naples Lion, Ellaine Rosen, provided an educational and mesmerizing private docent tour, proudly pointing out the Jewish connection we had with the artist and several of his associates. Rosen is such a gifted speaker and teacher; she is a treasure within our community.
The Lion of Judah ended the season at the lovely Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. Our largest attendance for a LOJ event to date — nearly 80 women attended. The decor included a book by our guest author and historian, Robin Gerber, “Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her.” Barbie’s creator, Ruth Handler was a very entrepreneurial Jewish woman. She, along with her husband, created Mattel corporation, and she was president of Mattel from 1945 to 1975. Her life story was intriguing with many successes and devastating failures. Gerber also wrote two other books about powerful strong women — Eleanor Roosevelt and Catherine Graham. As the Lions departed the event, they were given a surprise! A signed copy of the book, “Barbie and Ruth: The Story of the World’s Most Famous Doll and the Woman Who Created Her.”
This past year, and especially this past month, has been a very busy, enlightening and fun month for the Lion of Judah Pride of Greater Naples. Roar!
