Taking Care of Family, Clients & Community for Over Three Decades
Let's Connect

Jewish Federation of Greater Naples celebrates opening of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center Jan. 15

exterior view of Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples will celebrate the grand opening of the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center with a public celebration and tours on Jan. 15 beginning at 1 p.m. at 4720 Pine Ridge Rd. in Naples. The 20,000-square-foot, two-story center is designed to be a gathering place for the greater Naples Jewish community estimated at more than 10,000 individuals.

“Every part of it is incredible,” said Jeffrey Feld, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples. “The new cultural center will allow us to host multiple activities simultaneously in one building and serve as a home for a wide variety of events from celebrations to educational programs to women’s groups, men’s groups, youth events and more. Everyone will be able to be in person together in this new facility. It is an exciting and wonderful time.”

The community came together to finance construction of the building, raising more than $13 million so far of the $11 million for construction and creation of an operational endowment. Steve Iser and his wife, Nina, were already donors to the building when Nina passed away unexpectedly, and Steve gave a lead donation to have the building named after Nina.

“We couldn’t have done this without the generosity of our donors,” Feld said of the building, which was built next to Temple Shalom. Before the center was built, the Federation occupied rented office space, and other facilities had to be rented for the Federation’s numerous activities.

The dream grew out of the Federation board’s strategic plan in 2016. Planning to build a center started in early 2018. Finding the location took 12 months, with more than 40 sites considered. Rezoning and permitting for the property took about two years. Construction began after a groundbreaking in November 2021.

The goal of the building, designed by architect James Knafo and interior design by Wegman Design Group, was to create multi-purpose, functional space that would allow multiple activities to happen simultaneously enhanced by state-of-the-art technology and security, with a badge entry system. De Angelis Diamond was the builder.

Jerusalem stone symbolizing the Western Wall is featured in several places, and 12 soaring Royal Palm trees near the entrance representing the 12 tribes of Israel. In the courtyard, a special Chanukiah created by artist David Hess from Baltimore will be lit for Chanukah celebrations and be meaningful abstract art the rest of the year.

About Jewish Federation of Greater Naples

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples is the thread that runs through the fabric of the Jewish Community, its organizations and services, connecting 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, providing 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. The Federation creates a sense of community for thousands of Jewish residents in Greater Naples and its surrounding areas by creating and supporting programs to further Jewish learning, identity, pride and culture. Federation meets the challenge of providing for the needs of our Jewish brethren, wherever they may be, from young children and families to seniors. For information, visit jewishnaples.org, call 239-263-4205 or email info@jewishnaples.org.

Share now!

More To Explore