Without hopes and dreams, human beings are unfulfilled. How can one survive without healthy goals for the future, and without hope for overcoming adversity at any time in one's life?
As The Chabad Center of Naples approaches its Tenth Anniversary Year in Naples, some of the activities and events are testaments to hopes and dreams for people from diverse backgrounds.
Ten years ago my wife Ettie and I left our families and friends behind, arrived in Naples with our infant son Mendel, and youthful dreams of establishing a Jewish Community center that would light up the community and attract people to it as a welcoming haven for educational, religious, and social events. As you can imagine, we started with only a dream and strong ideals. Now, The Naples Chabad Center has grown and flourishes in its large, cheerful renovated location with almost daily activities for people of all ages and an award-winning Preschool of the Arts. It took dedication, hopes, partners, and dreams -- and a lot of hard work by a lot of people.
Is it any wonder that the guest speaker chosen to mark this occasion, would be Mrs. Eva Schloss, a woman who lived through one of the most horrific times of the last century, and not only survived the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, but at age 83 is eager and well-equipped to bring messages of hope and doing the right thing to the world? Eva Schloss survived, while her stepsister, the well-known Anne Frank did not. Their families had been neighbors and after the war, her mother married Frank's father. Although it took her a while to identify her mission, Eva Schloss now speaks to select groups about her experiences.
Her sensational story and insightful message remind us that life is precious and fragile, that the creative spirit is stronger than fear, that the power of good is immeasurable, and that love makes a difference.
Liddy and Dan Sexton, through a Trust created by Virginia and Charles Jacobsen, have consistently supported the Preschool of the Arts and enabled it to present exceptional programs for children in its beautiful facility. Just this year, Carol Glassman donated a new classroom that was needed, in memory of her late husband Alex. Aware of the first-rate education made available to the children, these donors are being honored for helping Chabad Naples realize its hope and dreams.
I look forward to seeing you all on the 24th.
Rabbi Fishel Zaklos
www.chabadnaples.com/historic