An element of the Jewish Federation's mission is to strengthen connections between our local Jewish community and with Israel. The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle advocates on behalf of Israel and for a just peace by:
Gathering Jewish agencies together to share in advocacy programming, dialogue and consensus building within our own diverse community- Serving as an important resource on Israel to the local media
- Presenting the Jewish community consensus on Israel in Olympia
- Serving as Seattle’s liaison with the Israeli Consulate in San Francisco
In the past five years, for example, the Jewish Federation worked for the defeat of a ballot initiative that would have required City of Seattle pension funds to divest from companies doing business in Israel. We also successfully countered an aggressive anti-Israel transit advertising campaign.
More broadly, Israel advocacy is all about fostering greater awareness and appreciation for Israel's rich historical and cultural heritage, for Israel's achievements in science, technology, business and the arts, and for its tikkun olam aspirations that have bettered the welfare of humanity.
To that end, the Jewish Federation has co-sponsored local cultural events, such as the April 15, 2013 Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration at Temple B'nai Torah and the May 5, 2013 Israel at 65 celebration at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. Israel's Consul General to the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Andy David, was the special guest at our May 1, 2013 Maimonides Society reception, at which he gave an informative and thought-provoking talk.
As part of our participation in the Partnership2Gether program with the Israeli regions of Kiryat Malachi and Hof Ashkelon, we help judge children's submissions in the annual Chuck Simpson-Netanel Peretz Memorial Art Contest. We look forward to supporting many more such events and programs in the future.
Periodically, the Jewish Federation also posts links, on this site and on our Facebook and Twitter pages, to news articles calling attention to developments highlighting the many dimensions of Israel's economic, social and cultural life. There is so much to discover!