Building a safer, more beautiful campus

Summer facility enhancements

By Pat Pastorius, JFGN Facilities Manager

As part of our ongoing commitment to safety and campus beautification, the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples facilities team has been busy at work on several important campus updates this summer. From traffic calming measures to landscaping improvements, each upgrade is designed with our community in mind.

Speed bumps for safer drop-offs

Our guests’ safety is our highest priority. To ensure vehicles slow down as they approach the on-campus intersection between the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center building and Temple Shalom, we have installed a new set of speed bumps across this high-traffic intersection, along the road leading from the entrance gate to the preschool.

These speed bumps serve as a reminder to all drivers to proceed cautiously through this campus intersection, particularly during morning drop-offs and afternoon preschool pickups. We appreciate your attention to the posted speed limits and your continued partnership in keeping all drivers and passengers safe on campus.

Crosswalk connection

A new crosswalk has been added between the Federation's walkway and Temple Shalom, offering a clearly marked and much safer path for pedestrians traveling between the two buildings. Whether you’re heading to an event or visiting clergy, we kindly remind everyone to look both ways and remain alert when using the crosswalk.

Ongoing improvements

In addition to safety enhancements, we’ve also made the following key updates to our campus infrastructure.

Flagpole project – A new 25- to 30foot three-flag display is coming to our building’s front entrance soon. The installation will feature the American flag, the Israeli flag, and a third rotational flag proudly flying adjacent to our entryway plaza. This project reflects our values and will serve as a meaningful visual presence for our campus.

Interior touch-ups – Our lobby and reception area received a fresh coat of stain, creating a brighter, more welcoming environment for visitors and staff alike.

Landscaping refresh – You may have noticed a fresher, greener entrance drive. Several plants have been replaced to enhance the aesthetics of the parking lot and approach to the building, contributing to a more vibrant and inviting first impression.

Irrigation maintenance – As part of our preventative care, we replaced several aging irrigation fixtures to ensure our plantings continue to thrive and the system functions efficiently.

Garden patio accessibility project –Looking ahead, the House & Grounds Committee is working on an exciting special project to transform our garden patio into a more accessible and versatile space for the entire community. The committee is exploring the addition of a shade structure that would unlock the full potential of our 2,200 square feet of outdoor space, making it suitable for daytime programming, evening events, and community gatherings.

This unique accessibility enhancement project will be funded through our campus capital campaign by donors who share our vision of creating inclusive spaces for all community members. For additional information about this upcoming project or to learn more about supporting our campus capital campaign, please contact CEO Nammie Ichilov at ceo@jewishnaples.org.

These improvements, both big and small, are part of our continued effort to maintain a campus that reflects the pride, safety, and spirit of the Greater Naples Jewish community. Thank you for your support and patience as we continue to enhance the spaces we share together.