Daring to Dream: Connections 2010

“I’m looking at the big picture of this event, at the community building aspects,” explains Lois Fuhr when asked about cochairing the 2010 Connections brunch for women.

Lisa Katsman, her co-chair, sees it differently. “I am driven by the end results–the fundraising–and therefore the good work we can do,” explains Lisa. They are a perfect match to head up Connections, the largest annual women’s outreach and fundraising event in the greater Seattle area.

Meeting these goals helped drive this year’s speaker selection. “We knew we did not want to have a celebrity as our speaker, we wanted to take a different path this year. As soon as we heard Alina’s story and the glowing admiration and respect for her as a speaker from others around the country, I knew she was the perfect choice for Connections 2010,” stated Lois.

Alina, mentioned above, is Alina Gerlovin Spaulding. Ms. Spaulding is a dynamic, young Soviet émigré who the Jewish Federation helped as a child relocate to the United States when her family was facing persecution in the former Soviet Union. This generosity had a huge impact on Alina, someone who dared to dream, and whose dream we helped come true. She is now not only an active member of her Jewish community and a donor to Jewish causes, but also a Jewish communal professional.

“Giving back is like a life cycle,” observed Lisa. “It does not stop at the nonprofit’s doors, nor with the recipient. Giving takes on multiple levels from meeting immediate needs and raising hope, to inspiring community involvement and giving back in the future.”

“Her compelling and moving story epitomizes the impact the Jewish Federation has and the way it can truly change a person’s life,” continues Lois. “Once the women hear her they will be able to see for themselves the real-life impact their support and donations make.”

We invite you to join with other women…and Dare to Dream!

Join us at Connections Women’s Brunch • Dare to Dream • January 31, 2010
Register at www.JewishInSeattle.org/Connections