BUILDING COMMUNITY IS THE LIGHT THAT NJC CARRIES FORWARD
We at NJC recognize that building community, the light that unites us, mirrors the light that carries us forward. Building community is all about making
connections for and among our members, much as it is at the Federation.
NJC has weekly Shabbat services that emphasize the centrality of religious life in our congregational life. We are blessed to have an outstanding spiritual leader, Rabbi Howard Herman, who has guided us on our path to a greater
understanding of the wondrous nature of Judaism and its particular relevance to grappling with the vicissitudes of today’s turbulent world. Sharing the joy of song, the closeness gleaned from participating in communal prayer and learning on Shabbat is just one of the many ways in which we build community.
Education is one of the pillars of the construct that is Reform Judaism.
Rabbi Herman leads us in six sessions of Life Long Learning each year, with topics as diverse as the breadth that is Judaism. He unfailingly delights in imparting his vast font of knowledge of Judaism to us through fascinating offerings and discussion. For the months of January through March, the topics are: This Too is Torah: Exploring Sex in the Texts, Meaning and Mussar (the Jewish study of
applying personal ethics to our daily live) and Jewish Ethics in Modern Life:
Scenarios From the New York Times Ethicist. Learning together about the richness of Jewish thought is another wonderful way in which we build community.
On Saturday, January 17, the NJC men will be showcased at our Men’s Shabbat Torah service and will host our 2nd Annual Kiddush barbecue, brought
back by popular demand. Our Federation Shabbat will be held on Friday, February 27, with both Nat Ritter, Board Chair and Nammie Ichilov, CEO/President speaking to us about how the Federation can help us build community. Our Sisterhood will lead our Shabbat Torah service on Saturday, March 21. These special Shabbat
services provide yet another opportunity for NJC to build community within its ranks and by outreach to the greater Jewish community.
One of the many ways we at NJC make connections is through socializing
with each other in a variety of settings. In addition to our weekly onegs following Friday night Shabbat services, we also have a Kiddush luncheon following our six Saturday Shabbat Torah services, as well as light dinners following our six Life Long Learning sessions and before our Summer months Friday Shabbat services.
Building community while noshing is a time honored Jewish tradition. Flamingle
outings are yet another chance for our members to share in the warmth of each others’ company. The same purpose is served by our Mens’ breakfasts held monthly and our monthly Poker nights.
We have a very active Sisterhood, led by Sue Falkenstein, which offers a plethora of quite varied events that serve to bring NJC’s women together in
community. The Sisterhood Book Club, moderated by Ruth Simon, explores about 3-4 books a year with either a Jewish theme or by a Jewish author. Art in the
Garden is also a popular event that combines an art project conceived and guided by Gale Shamblott, our resident artist with movement led by Sue Falkenstein.
Our active Social Action Committee (SAC) builds community from within and without. Our members work with one another and engage with the
community on programs such as Backpacks For Kids and Empty Bowls Naples to give back and to pay it forward. These efforts help to fulfill our Judaic imperative of outreach to help others, a laudatory tradition.
Steve McCloskey, President