Women's Philanthropy

Women's Philanthropy engages women of all ages and giving levels in social, educational and philanthropic events and activities, allowing all Jewish women in Seattle to be included in the Jewish Federation and participate in creating community.

Together, Women's Philanthropy and the greater Jewish Federation work toward strengthening, repairing and ensuring the Jewish community in Seattle, Israel and around the world. Collectively, Women's Philanthropy generates one-third of Seattle's annual Community Campaign.

Contact Information
Contact Name: 
Michelle Shriki, Development Officer
Phone: 
206-774-2226

Events

You can stay up-to-date the latest news and events by joining our e-mail list. Sign up today!

Turn the Page 2012: Women of Character

March 14, 2012 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

We invite you to join Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, and women of all ages and backgrounds, as we embark on a meaningful evening of Jewish learning at Turn the Page 2012: Women of Character: A Celebration of Resilience and Renewal. Each participant is invited to enjoy an exceptional keynote speaker and participate in two, forty-five minute learning sessions of her choice led by a variety of local female educators.

Sessions and speakers info coming soon.

Chair: Elizabeth Siegel

News

You can stay up-to-date the latest news and events by joining our e-mail list. Sign up today!

The Power of Passion Inspires Connections Attendees

The 450 Connections attendees at the event on January 29 were inspired to live their own lives with passion as they came together to support our Jewish community. This annual event is about connecting with friends, family, and community. We live in a thriving Jewish community, and each of us has the ability to make a significant impact today and for the future. 

Countdown to Connections 2012 -- The Power of Passion Featuring Iris Krasnow: 30 Women Who Changed Our World

Women have the power to change our world. Our 'Countdown to Connections' highlights 30 women whose passion has made our world a better place.

3.  Estee Lauder

"Measure your success in dollars, not degrees."

Estée Lauder's name is synonymous with beauty and healthy skin. An astute businesswoman, she made a fortune manufacturing, marketing and distributing cosmetics to women around the world under several trade names, then used the power of her position and fortune to support causes that were important to her.

Countdown to Connections 2012 -- The Power of Passion Featuring Iris Krasnow: 30 Women Who Changed Our World

Women have the power to change our world. Our 'Countdown to Connections' highlights 30 women whose passion has made our world a better place.

4.  Esther

"She lifts the shadows from my blackest griefs, and makes even my darkest days serene ones." -- Jean Racine, from Esther

The Biblical heroine of the book named for her, Esther was a young Jewish woman living in exile in the Persian diaspora, who through her youth and beauty became queen of the Persian Empire, and then by her wits and courage saved the Jewish people from destruction. The message of the Book of Esther, a work of historical fiction written in the diaspora in the late Persian—early Hellenistic period (fourth century b.c.e.), gives encouragement to the exiled Jews that they, although powerless in the Persian Empire, can, by their resourcefulness and talents, not only survive but prosper, as does Esther.

Countdown to Connections 2012 -- The Power of Passion Featuring Iris Krasnow: 30 Women Who Changed Our World

Women have the power to change our world. Our 'Countdown to Connections' highlights 30 women whose passion has made our world a better place.

5.  Barbara Walters

"Strike the lights, turn off the cameras. I'll be right there to do it myself."

Born in Boston, Massachusetts Jewish descendants of refugees from the former Russian Empire, Barbara Walters was raised among the lights and energy of the nightclub business in New York, Law Vegas and Florida. Experiencing the ups and downs of her father's career, Barbara was committed to always being able to independently take care of herself. According to Walters, being surrounded by celebrities when she was young kept her from being "in awe" of them.

Countdown to Connections 2012 -- The Power of Passion Featuring Iris Krasnow: 30 Women Who Changed Our World

Women have the power to change our world. Our 'Countdown to Connections' highlights 30 women whose passion has made our world a better place.

6.  Gloria Steinem

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."

Gloria Steinem was 10 years old when her parents separated. Her mother suffered from an unspecified mental illness that included delusions and occasional violent behavior; her father finally left Steinem and her mother behind in 1944. Stranded in economically challenging circumstances, Steinem interpreted her mother's inability to hold a job as a symptom of society's injustice and hostility toward working women, and understood doctors' treatment of her mother as a further sign of misogyny -- which led to her growing identity as a feminist. After attending Smith College, she spent two years in India on a fellowship, and then worked for the Central Intelligence Agency before launching her career as a freelance writer in 1959.

Leadership

2011-2012 Women's Philanthropy Leadership

Chair: Naomi Newman
Immediate Past Chair: Celie Brown
Lion of Judah Chair: Susan Edelheit
Connections Co-Chairs: Kim Fisher & Andrea Lott

More Info

Opportunities for Engagement

Join one of our many groups and get involved with our community. Sign up for our email list to get in the loop.

Turn the Page

Women's Philanthropy's evening of Jewish learning is an educational, outreach event open to all Jewish women in the greater Seattle area. Turn the Page features a keynote speaker and learning sessions designed according to the theme selected that year.

Past Turn the Page themes have included "The 21st Century Jewish Woman...A Balancing Act?," "Exploring Our Traditions: Personal Journeys from Around the World," "Our Heroes from Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," and "A Woman's Way Finding Your Path to G-D," among others.

Connections

Women's Philanthropy's annual outreach and fundraising event is open to all Jewish women in the greater Seattle area. Past speakers have included Dr. Ruth, Marlee Matlin, Sharon J. Wohlmuth, Jennifer Weiner, Mia Farrow, Lauren Weisberger and others. Connections is a no minimum gift event and takes place each February. Annual attendance ranges from 500–650 women.

Giving

There are a number of giving societies for women in our community.

The Pomegranate Society is the newest giving level for women who make an annual minimum household gift between $1,800 and $4,999 to the Community Campaign.

Lion of Judah is for women who make an annual minimum household gift of $5,000 to the Community Campaign.

There are no special giving opportunities at the moment.