Dear Friends,
What a Purim!
Seeing so many people come together to celebrate with such joy and spirit, especially in these challenging times for Israel and the Jewish people, was truly uplifting. The energy, unity, and warmth in the room were a testament to our community’s incredible growth. You don’t have to wait for a holiday to witness it. Join us any Shabbat and you’ll see the vibrant, overflowing, and truly remarkable community, bursting at its seams.
The most beautiful thing is that each week, friends bring friends, and at the famous Kiddush, we welcome them in the warm and joyous world famous Chabad Naples style. It all reflects the heart and soul of our ever-growing Chabad Naples family.
*****
“I” Becomes “We”
Herb Brooks, coach of the legendary 1980 US Olympic ice hockey team, led a group of amateur players to a stunning victory over the Soviet Union—a moment known as the Miracle on Ice. How did he do it? His team was scattered, divided, exhausted. He pushed them relentlessly.
“How long will you torture us?” they cried. Brooks replied: “Until each of you understands that the name on the front of your jersey is more important than the one on the back.”
In Judaism, community is essential to spiritual life. We pray together, study Torah together, mourn and celebrate together.
Our holiest prayers require a minyan. Even when we confess, we do so together,not just in the individual, but in the kehillah—the collective spirit.
This week’s Torah portion, Vayakhel—“and he gathered”—reminds us of this truth. After the golden calf, Moses gathers the people to focus on something greater: Building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Each person gave what they could—time, skill, resources. And only through this shared effort did the Sanctuary become a home for G-d’s presence.
Moses knew: the best way to unite people is to have them build together—to lift their eyes beyond the “I” and focus on the “we.”
When we invest in each other and in our community, we discover joy, purpose, and the power of belonging—not just to ourselves, but to something greater, something deep and truly meaningful.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos