Thursday, March 30 at 1:00 pm

For eight years the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) has been sponsoring a Day of Learning event to educate, entertain, and challenge the members of the Jewish Community. Topics addressed have ranged from antisemitism to Jewish Supreme Court Justices, with many other topics in between. 

As part of its mission, the JCRC seeks to build bridges of communication and understanding with the broader Naples community.  Accordingly, this year’s Day of Learning will address a topic that will be of interest to the entire Naples community: “Vibrant Naples -- Can It Be Sustained?”  All residents of the Greater Naples community are encouraged to participate.  The Day of Learning, as well the Jewish Federation’s new Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center, provide a forum for new ideas and understandings that will enrich our entire community.  

Greater Naples and Collier County are referred to as the Paradise Coast for a reason -- it is a wonderful place to live. Early residents may have wanted this area to remain a secret so that it would not change, but the secret is out, and thousands of new residents are joining our growing community each year.  Greater Naples is changing -- and the pace of change will likely continue.

Residents will be demanding the most up-to-date and high-quality facilities and services that we have all come to expect.  But will our community leaders be prepared to meet our expectations?  Attendees at this year’s Day of Learning will get some answers. Each speaker has agreed to share his or her thoughts on what needs to be done to keep our rapidly expanding community at the forefront in their fields.  

The line-up of speakers for the Day of Learning are all specialists in their chosen fields—fields that contribute to our quality of life here in Greater Naples: healthcare, arts and entertainment, facilities and services required for our growing and diverse population, and business development and commercial growth.  What our speakers, their colleagues and their competitors do in the future will affect the quality of each of our lives.  

Each speaker will be sharing their thoughts and answering your questions on what needs to be done to keep our rapidly expanding community at the forefront in each of their fields of expertise.  Amy Patterson, Collier County Manager and James French, the County’s Director of Growth Management will provide their thoughts on the County’s planned land use and economic development.  Amir Neto, Director of the Regional Economic Research Institute at FGCU, will speak to the future of Naples’ business development and commercial growth.   Elysia Dawn, Executive Director of the United Arts Collier, will be offering her vision of the future of the arts and entertainment.  Dr. Rebecca Smith, President of the Collier County Medical Society, will be speaking about the evolving needs of healthcare facilities and services required for our growing and diverse population. 

The Day of Learning will be held from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center at 4720 Pine Ridge Road in Naples. There is no charge to attend, but you must pre-register.