JEWISH FEDERATION
January 2022
The season is here, and we are Here for Good Paula Filler Campaign Chair
W
hether you live in the Greater Naples area full time or just part of the year, the start of the season has officially begun. The Annual Community Campaign begins at Rosh HaShanah and ends in June. Irrespective of when you make your pledge or gift, the many not-to-be missed programs and special events run by Jewish Federation and other Jewish organizations in our community primarily take place between November and April. This is the Greater Naples Jewish social season. Participating in the social season means seeing members of the Jewish community we may not see at other times of the year. It means catching up with old friends who have been away for the summer. It means meeting new friends, who might be here for their first season or are now full-time residents. Most importantly, however, it means we renew our commitment to Jewish life here in Greater Naples. This importance of the annual campaign, being Here for Good, cannot be overstated. Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) supports all the Jewish organizations that enrich our own Jewish experience, and that of others, to derive meaning and enjoyment in communal life. In addition to supporting the Jewish organizations that provide the social programs we enjoy, JFGN also provides financial support to sustain the educational, humanitarian and social services so badly needed here in Naples 12 months a year. Yes, many of us support Jewish Federations and other Jewish organizations elsewhere in the United States and Canada. For those of us who are transplants or part-time residents, we feel a justified sense of obligation to continue our support in these other ‘home’ communities. Naples, however, is also home, for whatever period of the year we spend here.
It is part of who we are as Jews to spread the love, to be Here for Good. Few of us make a single gift. We support many organizations and worthwhile causes, Jewish and non-Jewish. We make gifts in our ‘home’ communities, our college communities, communities where our children and grandchildren live and right here in Greater Naples, our little slice of paradise in Southwest Florida, our community of choice. For some, this is the community chosen to spend part or all of our retirement years. For others, it is the community chosen to offer a better life to our families, our children or to be closer to our parents. Choosing to live here, for however long, means we must also choose to make it a vibrant and successful Jewish community. We must choose to be Here for Good. The size of your gift here in Greater Naples is not the most important thing. What is most important is that you make a meaningful gift, something only you can decide. If we are to continue to meet the growing and emerging needs of this Jewish community, we must all participate in the Annual Community Campaign, fueling all it makes possible for each of us. Your campaign gift is not the only way to participate. You can participate by embracing the efforts of Jewish Federation and other organizations by attending the many meaningful, enjoyable and uplifting programs and events that take place all year long. Whether it is Israel Advocacy Committee, Jewish Book Festival, Jewish Community Relations Council, Men’s Cultural Alliance (MCA), PJ Library, Women’s Cultural Alliance (WCA) or Young Jewish Professionals, there is something for everyone. All of them are significant because you choose to be there, because you choose to be Here for Good. For more information on programs and events or how you can support the Annual Community Campaign, please contact Renee Bialek or Kirk Wisemayer at Jewish Federation, 239-263-4205 or email rbialek@jewishnaples.org or kwisemayer@jewishnaples.org, or visit https://jewishnaples.org/calendar.
Federation Star
9
Lion of Judah An artful group of women philanthropists By Dr. Judith Finer Freedman, Lion of Judah Society Co-Chair
O
n Feb. 24, 2022, Jewish Federation’s Lion of Judah Society will gather for an event in the beautiful home of Pella and Jack Fingersh, featuring the incredible museum-quality art in their collection. We are excited about this special event that allows us to come together in person to view this amazing art collection and learn of the immediate needs facing our community. As a co-chair of the event, I am delighted to host our local Lion of Judah women at a welcome toast in my own home. After waiting almost two years, we will be able to gather and celebrate the incredible power of women’s philanthropy, more evident than ever in a world changed since COVID. We can be proud of our Jewish Federation, which has served as a guiding and comforting source of information and resources to our community during tough times. “The Lion of Judah Society represents 45% of the total Annual Community Campaign in Naples, and these gifts enable Jewish Federation to further its impact on the Jewish community and the greater Naples community,” says Susie Goldsmith, fellow co-chair of the Feb. 24 event.
The 74 women in Greater Naples who contribute at the Lion of Judah level to Jewish Federation’s Annual Community Campaign, last year contributed more than $654,000 of the $1.5 million campaign. “Their gifts to the 2022 campaign are expected to exceed last year’s record,” Susie adds. More than just about giving, Lion of Judah Society women care deeply for the Jewish people and for working to improve our community and our world. In addition to social and networking events, such as the February Art Tour, they are also active in social service projects that benefit local school-aged children in Naples. For more information on becoming a Lion of Judah or on our Feb. 24 Art Tour (where space will be limited), please contact Kirk Wisemayer at 239263-4205 (ext. 305) or kwisemayer@ jewishnaples.org. The Lion of Judah Society is an international group of women philanthropists who contribute a minimum of $5,000 per year to the annual campaign of their local Jewish Federation. There are more than 18,000 Lion of Judah women around the world, 3,600 of whom have permanently endowed their gifts to the tune of $590 million.
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