The Annual Community Campaign is the cornerstone of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. The programs and services our network of agencies provides in Seattle, Israel and around the world are contingent upon its success. Every year, we raise millions of dollars from thousands of people through face-to-face meetings, telephone solicitations, fundraising events and informal gatherings in volunteers' homes. Young singles, businessmen and women, grandparents, college students, day school children and many recipients of our services participate in the Federation's annual Community Campaign in an effort to support the people and programs, here and overseas, that need us.

Of the funds raised through the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle's Community Campaign, 65 percent are allocated to local agencies and organizations, and the balance is given to national and overseas agencies. These funds help nurture and educate our children, maintain and strengthen family life, bring comfort and care to the elderly, sustain our partnership with the people of Israel and reinforce our connection to Jews at risk around the world.

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Where the Money Goes: Seattle Hebrew Academy, Jewish Education Enhancing Community

Lea Hanan and her sons benefit from their days at Seattle Hebrew Academy

As one of Federation’s partner agencies, Seattle Hebrew Academy (SHA), exemplifies how strong leadership and community dollars create connected Jewish lives. Now in its 60th year, SHA keeps one foot standing strongly in tradition, with the other stepping out excitedly into the future.

Seattle Hebrew Academy students have a half-day of general studies and a half-day of Judaic studies. Acquiring critical thinking skills through Talmudic study, and language enrichment through second-language acquisition (Hebrew), however, are only a couple of the benefits of an SHA education. There is also a powerful sense of community that keeps families engaged with the school beyond their child’s eighth-grade graduation.

“Seattle Hebrew Academy not only provides a complete general and Judaic education, but they give my family something that cannot be found at any public school: a sense of belonging,” says Lea Hanan, SHA parent.

Lea’s connection to Seattle Hebrew Academy has been a life-long one. “As far back as I can remember, the Seattle Hebrew Academy has been an integral part of me,” Lea reminisces. She and her four siblings attended SHA while their father, Albert, served on the Executive Board. “I recall being handed large manila envelopes during class to deliver to my father and feeling a sense of pride, knowing that he had a leadership role at my school.”

Albert’s commitment to Jewish education now extends through three generations of the family. Lea’s three children attend Seattle Hebrew Academy and Lea is on staff as a teaching assistant. Her parents, Albert and Marilyn, are still involved too; they volunteer once a week in the classroom.

Looking Towards the Future
Seattle Hebrew Academy was literally rocked by the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, requiring it to raise funds for major building repairs. Now, with 60 successful years of tradition and a capital campaign behind it, SHA is looking towards the future.

“For a while, SHA was struggling just to have a roof over our heads,” says Business and Development Director Connie Kanter, of the damages caused to the school building and property by the earthquake, “but now we’re really beyond the building and focusing once again on educational excellence.”

The school’s dedication to providing both teachers and students with the tools to achieve excellence is apparent. They’ve brought in learning specialists in reading and math and addressed students’ individual needs by training teachers in differentiated learning. Last year, SHA automated the library catalog system so staff and students have improved access to the rich library resources.

“I can’t talk about educational excellence without mentioning our head of school, Rivy Poupko Kletenik,” adds Connie. “Rivy has had such a phenomenal impact on the school. The staff and the staff training has been re-energized. The students, of course, have really benefited; our WASL scores are better than both the Seattle and Bellevue Public School’s and on par with Mercer Island Public School’s. We’re lucky to have someone of Rivy’s caliber as Head of School.”

Seattle Hebrew Academy’s commitment to excellence shows in its numbers-- it has two kindergarten classes this year, twice as many students as it usually has.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is proud to share in SHA’s success by contributing to its annual operating budget, providing grants from the Capitol Needs Fund towards its recent renovation, and ensuring Federal Homeland Security Funds were granted for security enhancements. Seattle Hebrew Academy is funded in part by the Annual Community Campaign. Be a part of creating educational excellence in today’s youth by donating to the 2008 Community Campaign.

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Jeff Brotman, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Donor, and Founder of Costco Wholesale.

"Helping the disadvantaged, encouraging diversity, fostering a community that treats its people well—these were values I learned from my parents as well as in Sunday school, values from Rabbi Richard Rosenthal, my rabbi at Temple Beth El, and my grandfather, who helped with the movement to plant trees in Israel.

"When I see some of the fundamental unfairness built into the system for people who are less fortunate, and couple that with my family’s tradition of helping others, I am compelled to act, compelled to give what I can to help.

"I am proud to give to the Jewish community, and I am proud of Costco, a company that treats its people well, and that I helped build.

"I strive to make a real difference in people’s lives, and I hope that my actions inspire others to be generous with their time, talent and resources, as well. Helping others, sometimes even in less visible ways, is not only good, it is necessary. What I give to the community affirms my life within it."

– Jeff Brotman

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Have more Frequent Flier miles than you know what to do with? The Jewish Federation is seeking the generous donation of airline miles to defray the costs of bringing speakers to Seattle. Producing events for our Community Campaign is always financially challenging and costs for speakers who have name-recognition and will be a draw to our events are on the rise. In this economy, airfare has spiraled out of control, placing an extra financial burden on us. This is where YOU can help. We are looking for increments of 15,000 or 20,000 for upgrades to first class or from 45,000 to 120,000 for a first class round trip airfare, depending upon specific airline.

If you or anyone you know would be willing to consider a donation of miles, please contact Penny at (206) 774-2259 or PennyS@JewishInSeattle.org Your donation of airline miles would save us literally thousands of dollars.