New chairman takes helm, 12 new members join Jewish Federation of Greater Naples board

NAPLES, Fla. - May 31, 2023 - PRLog -- The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples has appointed 12 new members and a new slate of officers to its board of directors, led by incoming board chair Dr. Nathaniel Ritter.

Ritter is a retired orthodontist who lives in Bonita Springs. He previously practiced in Dayton, Ohio, for 35 years.

He succeeds Jane Schiff, whose six-year tenure as board chair was capped by a successful $13 million capital campaign, culminating with the January opening of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center.

The 20,000-square-foot, two-story center on Pine Ridge Road has emerged as a hub of activity for the Naples Jewish community. The Greater Naples community is home to an estimated 10,000 individuals who identify as Jewish.

"Our community is immensely grateful for Jane Schiff's stalwart leadership and years of dedication to Jewish life in Naples," said Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. "We are equally excited to welcome our new board president Dr. Nat Ritter, as he leads a remarkable group of Federation volunteers on our continued path forward."

Ritter said his priorities as board chair include attracting more young families to Federation events, leading annual fundraising activities and continuing to speak out against anti-Semitism in the region and beyond.

"Jewish life in Naples presents a host of opportunities for engagement, from families and young professionals to retirees and lifelong learners," Ritter said. "Our continued vibrancy depends upon actively engaging with the next generation and the ones to follow — a challenge I look forward to taking on."

Ritter is joined by a slate of officers installed at the Federation's annual meeting on April 10:

• Marc Saperstein, Arlene Sobol and Beth Wolff, vice chairs
• Rosalee Bogo, secretary
• Steve Strome, treasurer
• Jane Schiff, immediate past chair

In addition, the following individuals were appointed to two-year board terms: Frank Baum, Alvin Becker, Myra Benedict, Rosalee Bogo, Harvey Cohen, Marcia Cohodes, Steve Iser, Jane Schiff, Arlene Sobol, Steve Strome, Jay Weiss and Beth Wolff. The new board members join 13 incumbents who are completing two-year terms that expire in 2024.

About Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (https://www.jewishnaples.org/) is the thread that runs through the fabric of the Jewish community. The Federation supports programs for Jewish people and the entire community in need in the greater Naples area, Israel and throughout the world.  It provides food for the hungry and counseling for the troubled, spearheading rescue and relief efforts for isolated Jews in distressed regions and funding innovative Jewish educational and unity initiatives. For information, visit jewishnaples.org, call 239-263-4205 or email info@jewishnaples.org.