12
Federation Star
JEWISH FEDERATION
October 2021
WOMEN’S CULTURAL ALLIANCE
www.womensculturalalliance.com / 518.852.3440
WCA has had a great impact on my life It can enhance yours as well! By Iris Shur, WCA Member
H
ow many of you moved to Naples not knowing a soul? Well, I did, in 2000. At first, I just wanted to “chill out,” having been very active in organizations “up north.” That lasted two weeks. After that point, I cried to my husband, “No one is knocking on my door!” I realized that I would have to jump back in and find activities to meet people and make friends. One thing I did was join Brandeis and then, when Brandeis closed shop in 2008, I joined the newly formed Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA). WCA started small with about 250 members — small, that is, in comparison to our current membership, which is more than 1,100! (Pre-pandemic, there were nearly 1,400 members.) Initially, I was just an attendee. The short story group appealed to me because you didn’t have to read an entire book to participate. We had a very knowledgeable moderator and the women in the group were articulate and engaging. It was a good way to connect with people. I was also active in the play reading group and attended some art history programs. I love playing canasta and Canasta Day remains one of my favorite WCA activities. More than 10 years ago, I had an idea. At the time, I was writing a column for the Naples Daily News called “The Shur Thing.” I had always loved writing, but my career as an audiologist did not afford me time to write creatively. When I retired and moved to Naples, I had time to concentrate on writing. Maybe, I thought, there were other members of WCA who liked to write, who didn’t have an outlet for their writing. Eventually, with the help of WCA member, Estelle Rauch, we came up with the WCA Salon, patterned after the salons held by Gertrude Stein. The first annual Salon was at Federation. Not only did we have 15 women read their prose and poetry, but we also had a violinist, and of course, wine and cheese at intermission. Over the years, we had to move The Salon to a larger venue as more than 100
help us get to know platform for member writers. Eventually, I came up with WCA WORDS. Maureen each other by talkSchaab is my sidekick for this project and ing about our areas lends her computer expertise to help me o f e x p e r t i s e . We publish this WCA online literary journal. had 12 unbelievably interesting speakers We have already published four issues, with articles from 31 members! come forward for the Participation in WCA Women of first annual WOW Wonder and WCA WORDS is for event, and all who WCA members only. So, if you are not a attended were most enthusiastic. member, why not join and participate in these offerings in addition to all the other So, where’s the events, groups, speakers, movies, etc. that second event, you WCA offers? ask? Ask COVID. We decided to skip 2020WCA has many programs that appeal to my sedentary nature. But, if you are 21 and wait to proRhonda Brazina (left) and Iris Shur work on more energetic, WCA also has activities duce another WOW the next Women of Wonder (WOW) event. like chair yoga, golf, bowling, biking and event when we could do it in person. So, sometime in January birdwatching. Check them out under WCA members attended the annual 2022, we hope to produce another WOW “Groups” on the website. If horseback event. We held The Salon for nine riding, skateboarding or synchronized program. If you have a career, a hobby or consecutive years, during which we had swimming are your passion and you can a passion for almost anything that you several wonderful musicians and singers find interested members, WCA might would like to talk about, we want to hear and about 70 writers, not to mention you. You’ll get five minutes to WOW us consider offering those activities, too! great homemade baked goods that were You can bring your talents to WCA. with your discourse! added to our wine and cheese offerings. It The organization is open to ideas you About six months ago, I was thinking was a lot of fun, but I always like variety might have for programs that will not again. Dangerous! I had discontinued in my life, so I came up with another only enrich the membership but may have The Salon for the time being and thought plan – WOW. about how else WCA could provide a a positive impact on your life as well. No, WOW isn’t a word, it’s an acronym for another idea called WCA Women of Wonder. Rhonda Brazina and I developed and produced this new program designed to highlight the accomplishments of some of our members. We felt that, among 1,100 members, there were many women who had interesting careers, fascinating hobbies and life experiences they could s h a re w i t h t h e membership. At the same Participants in The Salon, 2019 time, it would
WCA Has Planned An Exciting Year Don’t be left out! Join WCA today. VISIT WCANAPLES.ORG and click on MEMBERSHIP. (Pay by credit card or check.) Membership through Aug. 2022. QUESTIONS? Contact Membership Chair Harriett Kleinman at hmkleinman@gmail.com
