A Vision for Naples Jewish Congregation

Steve McCloskey, NJC President

As we transition from the Days of Awe to the year 5786, we might do well to critically examine the functions of our Congregation in today’s turbulent and tumultuous times. In my view, NJC should play a vital role in the Greater Naples Jewish community by fostering four connections for our congregants.

The first and, perhaps, foremost connection is spiritual, one that can be nurtured in a myriad of ways. If participating in uplifting and meaningful Shabbat services is your path to spirituality, then you will find a home at NJC. Rabbi Herman views his pulpit as an opportunity to help members find a purposeful link between Judaism and their lives. He feels that each Shabbat service is a teaching moment in which he can impart some aspect of our service that is relevant to how we should conduct ourselves. He seeks to elucidate the ancient texts to enable us to grapple with the sacred in a manner conducive to leading a more productive life.

The second link that NJC can facilitate is educational. Rabbi Herman offers six unique and intriguing Lifelong Learning sessions from October through March each year. On Friday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m., the topic will be “The Mystery of Hebrew Numerology,” a subject just now coming to the fore. The learning sessions are followed by a light dinner, where we break bread and schmooze, and then our stimulating Shabbat service. The Sisterhood Book Club, led by member Ruth Simon, gives us another chance to learn with our other devoted readers. The first book to be read and discussed on Wednesday, Nov. 17 is TheDovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. There are numerous other venues for enrichment. NJC can point you in the right direction.

The third connection that NJC can nourish is our yearning for social interaction, particularly as we age. In an age when loneliness is becoming increasingly pervasive, studies have demonstrated time and again the value of belonging to a faith-based community. Sometimes these ties that we cultivate with dear friends provide as much or more intimacy as family bonds, particularly where proximity is an issue. We also strengthen our NJC family through communal Shabbat services and the onegs following; through Flamingle, our wonderful program presenting a myriad of ways our members can gather to enhance our friendships; through varied Sisterhood events and through a newer NJC program, Men’s breakfasts/brunches.

The fourth connection we hope our members engage in is the Judaic obligation of social justice/social action, a bedrock principle of Judaism in general, but of Reform Judaism in particular. In fact, over 60 years ago, the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) established the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, devoted to encouraging us to not only contemplate a world in need of social action/justice, but also to do something about it. Seven years ago, NJC formed a Social Action Committee (SAC), which has been quite active in a number of projects with the purpose of getting our members involved in projects that promote the practice of tikkun olam and the betterment of the lives of those less fortunate. A perfect example of an ongoing project is Backpacks For Kids, whereby we provide filled backpacks for foster kids year-round. We are also now partnering with the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples, where we worship, thereby fostering interfaith relations.

The essence of a synagogue is its people. We pride ourselves on being a family that truly cares about one another and shows it. Come bask in the warm embrace of our NJC family.