The season is here, and we are Here for Good

Paula Filler, Campaign Chair

Whether 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.