Letter from the CEO: Investing in the safe and thriving Jewish future

A Note from Solly Kane

Reflections from Federation’s President & CEO

A Note from Solly Kane

Reflections from Federation’s President & CEO

Only have one minute?
Three things to know from this email:

Only have one minute?
Three things to know from this email:

The Federation is investing $150,000 in security grants for Jewish preschools to help keep our youngest community members safe in the face of increased threats and rising security costs.
The Federation’s JCRC, in partnership with the ADL, has created a Washington State Plan to Combat Antisemitism and recently presented it to Governor Bob Ferguson’s office.
Register here to join us on November 13 for the Federation’s Fall Fundraiser for an inspiring conversation with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin.

October 24, 2025

Dear Community,

The last two weeks have been a mix of joy, relief, and a tentative hope for lasting stability after two years of war in Israel and Gaza. Like many of you, I am holding on to hope for a continued ceasefire, the end of the war, and the beginning of a new era of peace and stability for both Israeli and Palestinian people.

While much of the Jewish world’s attention has been focused on the Middle East, we are working hard to ensure a thriving Jewish future here in Seattle.

A thriving Jewish future starts with being a safe and secure Jewish future. In August, we announced a new $2.25 million investment that the Federation is making over three years to enhance the security of our Jewish community. This investment includes a new partnership with the Secure Community Network (SCN) to provide training, security assessments, and meaningful support for Jewish organizations across the state.

Today, I’m pleased to share that the Federation is making grants totalling $150,000 to nine of our local Jewish early childhood centers (preschools) to address the rising security costs so many Jewish organizations are facing. At a time when Jewish organizations nationally are spending 14% of their operating budgets on security, the need for financial support is more critical than ever.

There is nothing more important than keeping our youngest and most vulnerable community members safe, and this investment in security for our Jewish preschools takes that commitment from words to action. This investment is thanks to the support of the Tepper Foundation, Jewish Federations of North America, and our annual campaign donors. The nine organizations receiving funding for their preschools are:

Congregation Beth Shalom
Jewish Day School
Queen Anne Jewish Preschool
Seattle Hebrew Academy
Stroum Jewish Community Center

Temple Beth Am
Temple B’nai Torah
Temple De Hirsch Sinai
Gan Yalduti

Beyond physical security, we continue advocacy efforts to protect Jewish people across our region. Together with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Pacific Northwest, we developed a Washington State Plan to Combat Antisemitism and shared it with Governor Ferguson’s team. The plan focuses on three key areas – public safety for Jewish communities, education about antisemitism and the Jewish experience, and Jewish inclusion. This conversation was the first step in working with the Governor on a strategic plan to address antisemitism, and we are looking forward to continuing this work.

This past weekend, we partnered with the ADL to present the Hope over Hate Summit – an afternoon-long event bringing together 200 Jewish and non-Jewish leaders, including many elected and civic leaders. It was an inspiring day with many allies joining us and affirming that hate has no place in our community, and it felt like our Jewish community is not alone. Next week, we are partnering with Temple De Hirsch Sinai to bring Hen Mazzig to Seattle. Hen has been one of the clearest voices over the last two years, standing up against antisemitism and advocating for the return of the hostages on social media. He has tens of thousands of followers engaging with him, and he is in Seattle for two evening events next week.

This week, our team is preparing for our Fall Fundraiser: Together in Hope. I hope to see you at this remarkable event, which will include an inspiring conversation with Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh, who was taken hostage on October 7 and killed eleven months later in captivity. Rachel and Jon are incredible Jewish leaders, and while the story of their son’s death is tragic, they have been role models for the Jewish people in holding onto hope and taking action even during the darkest times.

If you haven’t registered yet, tickets are still available. Join us!

Shabbat Shalom,