By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
This year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle is commemorating the 90th anniversary of our founding. In looking back over our many accomplishments during that time, a consistent theme emerges – our work in building and strengthening Jewish life would not have been possible without the many contributions that volunteers made in time, talent, and resources.
Once a year, we take a pause from our day-to-day work to honor people who have made a big difference for Jewish Puget Sound. Each has made an impact in a special way, the product of skills, dedication, motivation, and perseverance needed to keep offering fresh ideas, finding creative ways to serve, and making time in their busy lives for meetings and conference calls.
At our Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 21, we invite you to join us as we confer awards on four deserving individuals. Please consider placing a tribute in the annual meeting program to honor and support these outstanding community leaders:
Pamela Waechter z”l Jewish Communal Professional Award
Pamela Lavitt, the Director of Arts + Ideas and of the Seattle Jewish Film Festival at the Stroum Jewish Community Center.
Jack J. and Charlotte Spitzer Young Leadership Award
Alyssa Bobman, who has been active in community life from a young age and is now Director of Volunteer Services at Kline Galland; and Nathan Wasserman, a co-founder of Moishe House Seattle.
Dr. Charles and Lillian Kaplan Board Chair’s Award for Outstanding Service
Lisa Brashem, a member of Federation’s Board, Chair of our Camp Scholarships Committee, and Co-Chair of our Jewish Puget Sound Committee.
Each of our award recipients is an example of the impact that each of us can make. Service to community necessarily takes many forms, and every contribution – no matter how “small” or how “large” – is both beneficial and indispensable. We remember every day that our work is the fruit of the community’s collective support, the sum of individual actions to pay it forward. At the annual meeting, we will be sharing the Federation’s accomplishments in the past year, which your generosity has made possible.
Please join us on June 21, beginning 7 pm at Hillel at the University of Washington. Come to celebrate our 90th anniversary, give a hand to our award recipients – and give a hand to yourselves for the impact that you have made. We hope to see you there!
