Federation Star - July-August 2018

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26 Federation Star July/August 2018 Temple Shalom Preschool update By Seyla Cohen, Preschool Director On June 4, our fabulous summer fun officially began at both Camp Shalom and Camp Einstein. Camp Shalom, geared toward children ages two through five, had a record number of campers throughout the six groups. They had a blast on the water slides and playground, and each week focused on a different theme. Camp Shalom, geared toward children ages six through eight, offered a more academic camp, but they still cooled off on the water slides. Throughout the summer, we had special visitors. Once again, thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, we had a visit from the Israel Scouts. The campers were so excited to interact, sing and dance with these talented boys and girls. It was a real treat for Camp Shalom and Camp Einstein to see the Scouts in action! Look for photos in the September issue of the Federation Star. We would also like to express our gratitude to the Federation for providing scholarship funds to be used specifically for Camp Shalom and Camp Einstein. Along with an amazing summer camp, preparations for the 2018-2019 school year are being made. We are proud to say that we are growing by FOCUS ON YOUTH leaps and bounds. We are opening a fourth Cubs class this year. The demand for our outstanding preschool is sensational. We have waiting lists on our classes already! From our preschool family to yours, we wish you a wonderful summer! B Sign up for The PJ Library and you’ll receive a FREE, high-quality children’s book or CD each month. The PJ Library will enrich your family’s life with Jewish stories and songs – and it’s absolutely FREE for families with children from six months up to eight years of age in Collier County. The PJ Library is brought to the Collier County community by JFCS of Southwest Florida. For more information, call 239.325.4444. Bs J a o t i a I c o j Preschool of the Arts update By Ettie Zaklos, Preschool Director The summer transitions us from the completion of a successful academic preschool year to new and exciting summer adventures. At the end of May, we celebrated the hard-won accomplishments of our Pre- K graduates. It is always a complete joy to watch how the once tiny toddlers have become capable and school-ready children! Throughout this past year, our dear children have discovered so many new aspects of the world around them and gained a multitude of skills and knowledge through exploration and play that will serve them well on their lifelong journey of learning. This year, our Class of 2018 and the rest of the POTA 2018 family gifted our school a beautiful Garden Wall, a new vertical garden installation in our Garden of the Arts. This interactive project, which was spearheaded by the parents, was a very meaningful experience for the children who got to participate in planting the garden and designing the permanent installation that acts as a memento of their time at school. We hope this magnificent initiative will be an ongoing school project that will be enjoyed for years to come. It is hard to believe that our incredible preschool has just completed its WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT WORLD CLASS WORLD CLASS ENTERTAINMENT SOUND LIGHTING ENTERTAINMENT SOUND WORLD & SHOW & DANCE ~ SOUND CLASS PARTY BANDS & LIGHTING ENTERTAINMENT ~ SOUND & LIGHTING SHOW & DANCE PARTY BANDS SHOW SHOW & & DANCE PARTY BANDS BANDS R (dance band) N R G (dance band) (dance band) Hitsville USA N(Motown R G (dance review) band) ~ Disco Divas Hitsville Classic USA review) Rock (Motown ~ DJs review) ~ Tribute ~ Disco Shows Divas Hitsville Classic USA Peter Duchin Rock (Motown ~ Orchestra DJs review) ~ Tribute ~ Disco Shows Divas (big band) Classic Rock ~ DJs ~ Tribute Peter Duchin Orchestra (big Shows band) (big band) Island Peter Breeze Duchin (reggae) Orchestra (big band) Island Breeze (reggae) Island Breeze (reggae) (reggae) Simcha (Israeli) Simcha (Israeli) Simcha (Israeli) (Israeli) “They did a marvelous job… consummate professionals – “They did a marvelous highly recommended.” job… consummate professionals – “They Elaine did L. Reed, a marvelous Executive highly job… recommended.” Director, consummate Naples Historical professionals Society – Elaine L. Reed, Executive highly recommended.” Director, Naples Historical Society Elaine Elaine L. L. Reed, Reed, Executive Executive Director, Director, Naples Naples Historical Historical Society Society “Your music added a professional touch. Our fundraising revenue “Your music doubled added this a year… professional you helped touch. make Our fundraising it happen.” revenue “Your Marci music doubled Sanders, added this Shelter ayear… professional for you Abused helped touch. Women make Our & Children fundraising it happen.” revenue Marci doubled Sanders, this Shelter year… for you Abused helped Women make & Children it happen.” Marci Marci Sanders, Sanders, Shelter Shelter for for Abused Abused Women Women & Children Children ENTERTAINMENT DIRECT GLOBAL 239.514.7628 ENTERTAINMENT DIRECT GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT • info@edirectglobal.com DIRECT GLOBAL ENTERTAINMENT 239.514.7628 www.edirectglobal.com ~ info@edirectglobal.com DIRECT GLOBAL 239.514.7628 ~ info@edirectglobal.com seventh school year. As I walk through the halls of our beautiful and expansive campus and hear the sounds of children learning and laughing, I think back to when this entire endeavor was just a dream. Since I started my career as an educator I had a dream to be part of a school in which children come first and where there is recognition of the power of the early childhood years. I envisioned a collaborative learning environment where progressive teaching techniques and Jewish values could meld together in a perfect symbiosis. Still, I never dared imagine the overwhelming success that is the reality of Preschool of the Arts today. From our humble beginnings when just my own two daughters were enrolled in the preschool, to its small but steady growth, I have watched this school blossom before my eyes. In the Preschool of the Arts 2018 Graduation early years, our “large” events took place in a single preschool classroom that fit the entire school. Today, our school events, thank G-d, require an oversized social hall, and we have over 100 students enrolled in our program with consistently full waitlists. At Preschool of the Arts we believe artistic expression is a constant process that begins with our youngest learners and explorers, and is deepened and refined as they form relationships and connections with their world. Each step is part of a larger story or narrative that defines the individual and collective members of our community. Our unique custom-tailored, child-centered curriculum allows children to emerge as independent thinkers with the ability to stretch their minds. Our preschool environment is one that fosters questions, provokes curiosity and stimulates intellectual growth. The outdoor Garden of the Arts, culinary arts and science programs all encourage natural curiosities, while our yoga, music and gym instructors enhance our fine arts curriculum. Each child’s journey has endless possibilities and applications well beyond the walls, spaces and environments that define Preschool of Arts. Enrollment is almost full for Preschool of the Arts 2018-2019, as well as our acclaimed Summer of the Arts programs. We are honored by the overwhelming response and encourage prospective applicants to register before all our spaces are filled. We are all excited at the prospect of another fulfilling and growth-filled year at Preschool of the Arts. For more information, contact me at 239.263.2620 or naplespreschool ofthearts@gmail.com, or visit www. naplespreschoolofthearts.com. b g b e b H B
SYNAGOGUES July/August 2018 Federation Star 27 Beth Tikvah update Phil Jason President BETH TIKVAH www.bethtikvahnaples.org / 239-434-1818 Beth Tikvah continues to build its presence as a major force in Jewish community life. As the sponsor of the highly successful Naples Jewish Film Festival, we have made an enormous impact in the community over the last five years. Year five was truly outstanding. We enjoyed an inspiring Veterans Day program; a moving and uplifting Israel Night, celebrating Israel’s birthday and remembering its citizen soldiers for defending it; and our Lag B’Omer picnic, as always, was just plain fun. Recent initiatives, such as concerts by Night Train and the Jewish Jazz group have been well-received and will be repeated. We are looking for similar events. Our Rosh Chodesh Women’s Group brings friendship and intellectual stimulation. So does our lecture series with such speakers as Jeff Margolis, Dr. June Sochen, Joyce Schrager, Sam Geist and Neil Adelman – whom we expect back again. We will be adding two healthrelated lectures. These will be sponsored by the Poznansky family in memory of Dulcie Poznansky. By hosting several sessions of the highly successful Collier County Jewish Book Festival, we continued to play a major role. Our volunteer team was a great asset to the festival. We had the good fortune of being the home for Abigail Pogrebin’s fabulous presentation. Beth Tikvah will continue to support what will soon be called the Greater Naples Jewish Book Festival. This past season’s Scholar-in- Residence, Rodger Kamenetz, shared interesting perspectives on the Jewish experience. We hope to once again invite a dynamic guest scholar. Recommendations welcome. Several times during the winter season, we’ve mixed food with food for thought at our Friday night “Eat & Learn” Shabbat Dinners, and we will do so again. Thanks to the spirited and dynamic leadership of Rabbi Chorny and his stimulating course offerings, we are maturing without growing complacent. This year we added a member-speaker: Ron Agronin. Beth Tikvah continues to develop as a major spiritual, cultural and educational organization. Going forward, we seek to build on the past to offer a full range of programs for a diverse membership of various backgrounds, ages and needs. Our Sunday School resumes on August 26 at 9:00 a.m.; Hebrew School launches on Thursday, August 30 at 4:30 p.m. Look for a Founders’ Shabbat this winter. Look for our new Adult Bat Mitzvah program. Look for a very special Veterans Day event on Sunday, November 11 with a service at 9:00 a.m. followed by a breakfast and salute to our military veterans. Look for the return of Deli Night on December 24. With the High Holy Day season approaching, we urge you to consider spending all or part of it at Beth Tikvah. Information will be available on our website. On Saturday September 1, we prepare with Selichot prayers, following a film and discussion beginning at 7:30 p.m. Beth Tikvah has a new lease, a plan for more elbow room, and a new contract with our talented, dedicated rabbi. We anticipate another dynamic and uplifting year, complete with new members, new programs, and a greater confidence in our ability to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Religious services Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. “In season” they follow a “social hour” at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy friendship, wine and a nibble. Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a Kiddush luncheon. Sunday 9:00 a.m. minyan through the winter and early spring. We regularly convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request. Please join us at any service. Our participatory worship services and most other events are held at 1459 Pine Ridge Road, just west of Mission Square Plaza. For more information, call 239.434.1818, email bethtikvah naples@aol.com or visit www.bethtik vahnaples.org. You can reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239.537.5257. NAPLES JEWISH CONGREGATION www.naplesjewishcongregation.org / 239-431-3858 How NJC can enrich your life Steve McCloskey President As we approach another High Holy Days, we give pause to reflect on what role a congregation can play in our lives. For some, it is spiritual, and for others it is social, educational or action-oriented, such as the pursuit of social justice. Whatever role you are seeking in a congregation, Naples Jewish Congregation (NJC) can help you to fulfill your aspirations. NJC has an outstanding spiritual leader in Rabbi Howard Herman. Our services are inspirational and meaningful and reflect his mastery as a teacher. His sermons are an adroit fusion of the topical and the biblical, typically tinged with a social justice inflection point. His overarching message is one of encouraging us to step outside of ourselves to do something to make a difference in the lives of others, thereby furthering the Judaic goal to practice tikkun olam. Our services, both Friday night and Saturday morning, and our High Holy Days services are infused with joyous song from our talented and enthusiastic Cantorial Soloist, Jane Galler, whose zest for life is channeled through her music, all wonderfully complemented by the accompaniment of our talented Music Director, Alla Gorelik, and the spirited renditions of our choir. Our services are a perfect blend of the spiritual, educational and the musical, designed to uplift us and to inspire us to do good for ourselves and the community. Speaking of doing good, in the spirit of tikkun olam, NJC’s newly formed Social Justice Committee will be partnering with the Universalist Unitarian Congregation of Greater Naples, which is steeped in the social justice tradition, on some worthwhile projects designed to expose some of our interested members to that work. Two of the projects we are thinking about are the Weekend Meals Program and Food Angels. As NJC’s Social Justice Committee pursues its community-based projects, we will carry on the dedication of Reform Judaism to social justice. In terms of making social connections for our members to strengthen the social fabric of NJC, another initiative that we will be working on is to form an NJC Havurah which will, at least at the outset, seek to solidify the ties among our more established members and integrate our newer members more fully into NJC life. Once we get our Havurah well underway, we can then seek to involve the Havurah in other aspects of Jewish life, such as cultural or educational activities and programs. The essence of the Havurah is its function to facilitate lasting relationships among our members, which makes our community stronger. Another focus for NJC this coming year will be to create and foster interfaith relationships with other faiths. A natural fit for NJC is the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, where we worship. NJC and the “UU” are philosophically and spiritually attuned and grounded in the same pragmatic, service-based approach to religion. We will most likely begin with a Thanksgiving interfaith service with the “UU.” We will also be reaching out to the Islamic Center of Naples to begin a dialogue with them to explore ways to connect with and learn from each other. If you have never worshiped with us at NJC for the High Holy Days, please take advantage of our complimentary tickets, as set forth in our ad in this issue. We have Rabbi Herman’s installation as NJC’s Rabbi on Friday, October 19, with special guest Julie Silver, as well as a panoply of exciting events throughout the year, which will be chronicled in the Federation Star in the coming months. Please come to worship with us to experience the NJC difference. JEWISH CONGREGATION OF MARCO ISLAND www.marcojcmi.com / 239-642-0800 In recognition of Dick Lerner and in Memoriam to Sandra Lerner By Sue R. Baum, President The Jewish Congregation of Marco Island would like to recognize two of our most devoted congregants, Dick Lerner and his wife, the late Sandy Lerner. The Lerners and their family have gifted JCMI their time, talents and generosity, including stateof-the-art sound system equipment and updated computers in our office. Dick and Sandy were longtime members of the Bingo Committee and contributed to the success of this important synagogue event. For many years, Sandy served as the synagogue’s representative to the annual Women’s Interfaith Breakfast Committee. When it was JCMI’S turn to host the annual breakfast, Sandy coordinated and presented an outstanding breakfast and program. Sandy passed away January 30, 2018. In her memory, Dick has donated much needed audiovisual equipment including a new projector, Blu-ray DVD player, and an electric movie screen which comes down from the ceiling with just a press of a button. Our screen, most-often used during our Sidney R. Hoffman Jewish Film Festival, had deteriorated to the point where we were using Gorilla Tape to hold it together. We thank Dick for his donations to help improve our synagogue and which serve to keep Sandy’s memory alive. riefs...continued from page 23 is indeed characterized by a trend of declining fertility rates that is particularly marked in developed countries. In 2015, the average fertility rate of women in the 35-member OECD was at 1.68 children per woman over the length of her childbearing years – below the average “replacement rate” of 2.1. However, in the last generation, higher educational and income levels among Israeli Jews have correlated with a marked rise in fertility. In 2015, Israel’s fertility rate in both Jewish and Arab sectors was 3.13. In 2000, Israeli Arab fertility was 4.5, while the Jewish rate was 2.6. Meanwhile, the Jewish rate continues to rise, with an estimate for 2017 of 3.16. Since the beginning of the 21 st century, fertility has risen by 15-20% among most sectors of Israeli Jewish society. It is attributable to the combined decisions by millions of Jewish women and men of all Israeli social groups, variously described as traditionalist, non-religious or even secular, who have chosen to have many more children. (Ofir Haivry, an Israeli historian and political theorist, and vice president of the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem, Mosaic) For daily news stories related to Israel & the Jewish world, visit the Federation’s website at www.jewishnaples.org.
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Page 19 and 20: JEWISH INTEREST Rabbi Barbara Aiell
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