The Officers, Board of Directors and Staff wish you
SHANAH TOVAH! OF GREATER NAPLES
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 October 2024 – Elul 5784/Tishrei 5785 Y Vol. 34 #1 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 18
5784 leads us to 5785
Women’s Cultural Alliance
19
Men’s Cultural Alliance
22
Community Focus
Nat Ritter Federation Board Chair
4A Tributes 7A Jewish Interest 11A Organizations 13A Rabbinical Reflections 16A Synagogue News 18A Focus on Youth 19A Community Directory
We Remember Join us Oct. 7, 7-8:30 p.m. at Temple Shalom for a Jewish community memorial. Register at jewishnaples.org. Save the Date – Nov. 17 Hear a powerful story of survival in one of mankind’s darkest periods at this year’s Kristallnacht Commemoration.
6
Don't Miss Out! For its 10th anniversary, the Jewish Book Festival has slated 10 books and authors for your enjoyment.
12
A
s we ponder the coming new year, thinking about the past helps frame our future. The year 5784 was filled with heartache and sorrow which will be seared into our Jewish heritage. The Jewish people before us showed respect and reverence to the past but have always looked to the future with optimism and hope. The Jewish proverb 24:16 that says “The righteous fall down seven times and get up” leads us to believe we must continue to pursue our future goals even though we may run into impasses along the way. The theme of resilience is also in the Jewish prayer, “I lift up my eyes unto the mountains, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Holy One, Creator of heaven and earth.” As we look to the new year, our strength will come from imagining and determining our goals and trying different ways to achieve them. Our inner strength gives us the ability to try and try again if we know our goals are worth the effort.
Jewish Federation of Greater Naples 4720 Pine Ridge Road Naples, FL 34119
Non Profit Org U.S. Postage
PAID
Fort Myers, FL Permit No 521
Tragedy and misfortune befall us all. As I have learned, our darkest hours are followed by light which leads to better and brighter days. The tragic day of Oct. 7, 2023 and antisemitism that has raised its ugly head throughout the world can only be fought with all of our strengths: education, unity of our people and standing our ground for right and wrong. Secure Community Network is the official safety and security organization of the Jewish community that is working to educate and secure Jewish agencies across North America. Secure Community Network can also help Jewish agencies write and secure state and federal security grants that are available. Secure Community Network has just announced our Regional Security Advisor, John Murtaugh, who will work with Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Jewish Federation of Lee
& Charlotte Counties, and Jewish Federation of Pinellas & Pasco Counties. By showing our strength as undivided people, our unity will make it more difficult for antisemitism to spread. By being part of a community, we show the greater public that Jews share their common interest, as well as gain strength from one another. We too want to share a better world and join hands to lead the way forward. Together as one, we are stronger. Leading by example and differentiating right from wrong shows that we too are working to “repair the world.” The new year of 5785 will bring new opportunities for growth and knowledge. Undoubtedly, we will have singular and multiple disappointments. We will also have new and exciting opportunities. continued on page 2 OUR IMPACT
We support Jews here, Israel, and overseas, as well as provide local programming that builds Jewish knowledge, identity, and community.
1.7
3,000
May we all be blessed with a healthy, happy and successful new year.
PLEASE HELP US BUILD COMMUNITY! Publishing Federation Star would not be possible without our advertisers. Please patronize our advertisers and tell them you saw their ad in Federation Star.