THANK YOU
to our community for a record- and goal-breaking �2M Annual Community Campaign. Kol Hakavod! CELEBRATING JEWISH LIFE IN GREATER NAPLES, ISRAEL AND THE WORLD
FEDERATI N STAR Published by Jewish Federation of Greater Naples
SERVING NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
www.JewishNaples.org Y July/August 2025 – Tammuz/Av/Elul 5785 Y Vol. 34 #10 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 15
Men’s Cultural Alliance
16
Women’s Cultural Alliance
17
Community Focus
21
Jewish Interest
23
Israel & the Jewish World
24
Synagogue News
25
Organizations
26
Focus on Youth
27
Community Directory
Meet Our Growing Team! Welcome to Alan Zagier and Kayde Jones, two transformative additions to our Federation staff, as we build a vibrant future for our Jewish community. 4
Israel Friendship Performers Don’t miss these talented teens as they sing, dance and share their love for Israel with performances on July 23 & 24. 8&13 Share Joy of the High Holidays Connect with family and friends throughout our community by placing a High Holiday greeting by Wednesday, Aug. 6.
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Preparing for tomorrow A season of strength and security Nammie Ichilov, Federation President & CEO
A
s we enter the quieter months of summer, when many of our community members travel and our programming shifts to a gentler pace, this year feels different. While the calendar may suggest a season of rest, Jewish Federation of Greater Naples has chosen this time for intentional action. We are actively strengthening our community's foundation for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Recent national discourse has questioned whether Jewish leadership across North America has fallen into a comfortable status quo, failing to adequately address the rising tide of antisemitism affecting our communities. There were nearly 10,000 antisemitic incidents across the United States last year alone, representing a continuous surge since Oct. 7, 2023. But, here in our corner of the world, we reject that narrative entirely. Rather than maintaining business as usual, we are taking decisive steps to secure our community's future and confront the realities of our time. This July marks a pivotal moment in our Jewish Federation's evolution. We are proud to announce the addition of a full-time Jewish Community Relations Council professional to our team, Alan
Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 4720 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119
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Zagier. This is a strategic investment that signals our commitment to proactive advocacy and community protection. This dedicated professional will serve as our community's voice in the broader civic arena, working directly with elected officials, interfaith partners and educational leaders from K-12 through higher education. The mission is clear: address antisemitism at its source. Too often, “Jewhatred” flourishes in environments where education about Jewish history, culture, and Israel is absent or distorted. Our new JCRC Director will work tirelessly to correct false narratives, challenge age-old antisemitic tropes and build bridges of understanding before misunderstanding takes root. This is not just about defending ourselves today, rather, it is about
safeguarding the Jewish experience for generations to come. Alongside our advocacy efforts, we are also enhancing security protocols at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center. Beginning this fall, all campus visitors will notice new requirements: mandatory ID badge display, individual access scanning to prevent "piggybacking," and an enhanced culture of vigilance where community members are empowered to speak up when something seems amiss. We know these changes represent an adjustment, and we're counting on the understanding and cooperation of our entire community to make them successful. Your partnership in embracing these new protocols is essential. Together, we can maintain the welcoming, secure OUR IMPACT
We support Jews here, Israel, and overseas, as well as provide local programming that builds Jewish knowledge, identity, and community.
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Security alert Recent events, including attacks in Israel, occurred after this edition went to press. While our published articles may not address these current situations, your safety remains our absolute priority. We strongly urge all community members to: • Stay informed through current news sources • Remain vigilant in your daily activities • Report any suspicious activity immediately • If you see something, say something. For the most current security updates and community alerts, please make sure that your most current email is in our system or follow our social media channels.
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Publication timeline
The articles and content in this edition were submitted and finalized 3-4 weeks prior to publication. Due to this production schedule, some content may not reflect recent developments or current security concerns that have emerged since the editorial deadline.