2026 Federation Fall Fundraiser
An Evening with Van Jones
2026 Federation Fall Fundraiser
An Evening with Van Jones
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Reception: 5:30 pm | Program: 7:00 pm
Bellevue, WA*
Co-Chairs: Karin and Hart Cole
Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle for our 2026 Fall Fundraiser featuring Van Jones, CNN political contributor, social entrepreneur, and three-time New York Times bestselling author. This special event brings our community together to connect, engage in meaningful conversation, and support the Federation’s work to create a vibrant Jewish life in Seattle and beyond.
The evening includes a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Jewish dietary laws are observed.
Complimentary parking at the venue.
*Address provided closer to event date.
VAN JONES
Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, entrepreneur and world-class changemaker. Jones has a rare track record of bringing people together to do hard things – in areas as diverse as clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act, signed into law by Donald Trump; the New York Times calls that legislation the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation.
In 2021, Jones was the first recipient of Jeff Bezos’ Courage & Civility Award. He has since founded Dream Machine Innovation Lab and launched RAPPORT.co, which uses A.I. to increase firms’ EQ. A Yale Law School graduate, Van is a CNN host, an Emmy Award-winning producer, a 3X New York Times best-selling author and the creator of the Van Jones Substack.
Van Jones is committed to countering antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community. In 2026, he joined the advisory board of the Genesis Prize Foundation to focus on renewing the Black-Jewish civic alliance in America and broadening public engagement against antisemitism, racism, and polarization.
We are thrilled to welcome Van Jones to Seattle for a conversation with our Jewish community.
VAN JONES
Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, entrepreneur and world-class changemaker. Jones has a rare track record of bringing people together to do hard things – in areas as diverse as clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act, signed into law by Donald Trump; the New York Times calls that legislation the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation.
In 2021, Jones was the first recipient of Jeff Bezos’ Courage & Civility Award. He has since founded Dream Machine Innovation Lab and launched RAPPORT.co, which uses A.I. to increase firms’ EQ. A Yale Law School graduate, Van is a CNN host, an Emmy Award-winning producer, a 3X New York Times best-selling author and the creator of the Van Jones Substack.
Van Jones is committed to countering antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community. In 2026, he joined the advisory board of the Genesis Prize Foundation to focus on renewing the Black-Jewish civic alliance in America and broadening public engagement against antisemitism, racism, and polarization.
We are thrilled to welcome Van Jones to Seattle for a conversation with our Jewish community.
VAN JONES
Van Jones is a U.S. media personality, entrepreneur and world-class changemaker. Jones has a rare track record of bringing people together to do hard things – in areas as diverse as clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act, signed into law by Donald Trump; the New York Times calls that legislation the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation.
In 2021, Jones was the first recipient of Jeff Bezos’ Courage & Civility Award. He has since founded Dream Machine Innovation Lab and launched RAPPORT.co, which uses A.I. to increase firms’ EQ. A Yale Law School graduate, Van is a CNN host, an Emmy Award-winning producer, a 3X New York Times best-selling author and the creator of the Van Jones Substack.
Van Jones is committed to countering antisemitism and supporting the Jewish community. In 2026, he joined the advisory board of the Genesis Prize Foundation to focus on renewing the Black-Jewish civic alliance in America and broadening public engagement against antisemitism, racism, and polarization.
We are thrilled to welcome Van Jones to Seattle for a conversation with our Jewish community.
Ticket Tiers
Event Patron – $2,500
Includes reserved seating near the stage and recognition in the event program book and digital display as an Event Patron
Purchase by November 15, 2026, to be included in event program book
Event Supporter – $500
Includes reserved seating near the stage
General Admission (Early Bird*) – $180
*Early Bird pricing available through September 30, 2026. Price increases to $250 after September 30
Includes admission to the reception and program
Student – $72
Student admission to the reception and program
Thank You To Our Host Committee
Naomi and Josh Alhadeff
Marcy and Rick Cohen
Andrea Katz and Max Green
Jody and Michael Epstein
Julie and David Ellenhorn
Jon Elkin
Jonathan Feller
Andrea and Alex Gamoran
Tamar and Naaman Heyman
Dena and Drew Herbolich
Lorna and David Isenberg
Karen Kalish
Connie Kanter
Michelle and Bryan Kulp
Dianne and Steve Loeb
Hillary Madsen and Rob Dolin
Naomi and Jon Newman
Karli and Josh Niehaus
Lucy and Herb Pruzan
Melissa Rivkin
Anna and Matt Shamitoff
Stephanie and David Shujman
Beth and Ray Silverstein
Lynne and Brad Smith
Alayne and Bobby Sulkin
Olivia and Avi Wernick
Interested in joining the Host Committee?
Please contact Marika Jaffe, Associate Director of Development, at Marikaj@jewishinseattle.org.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Community Partner Sponsors
Questions?
Please contact Marika Jaffe, Associate Director of Development, at Marikaj@jewishinseattle.org.
