By Nancy B. Greer
President & CEO
There are two things about your Federation’s 2022 annual meeting that I am especially looking forward to.
One, we’re gathering in person! For the first time in three years, our annual meeting will be outside Zoom rectangles. I am excited about getting together again face to face with community friends, peers, and colleagues. We’ll be meeting on Thursday, June 16, at the Stroum Jewish Community Center. You can register for the meeting here!
And, as we do every year, we are honoring volunteers, professionals, and allies who, in unique and powerful ways, have made invaluable contributions to Jewish life and strengthened our community’s capacity to meet the challenges and opportunities that the future will bring. Our annual meeting is still over a month away, but I want to share the names of our Community Award recipients in advance and invite you to join us in giving them the recognition that they have earned. Please consider placing a tribute ad in the annual meeting program to honor them and their achievements.
This year’s honorees:
Pamela Waechter z”l Jewish Communal Professional Award
Dee Simon, Chief Executive Officer, Holocaust Center for Humanity
Dr. Charles & Lillian Kaplan Board Chair’s Award for Outstanding Service
Jeff Slotnick
Jack J. & Charlotte Spitzer Young Leadership Award
Julia Abelev and Jay Riffkin
Tikkun Olam Award for Public Service
Retiring Washington State Senators Reuven Carlyle and David Frockt
Cardozo Society L’Dor V’Dor Award
Judge Andrea Darvas of King County Superior Court
Our Community Award recipients are inspiring examples of how dedication, creativity, and hard work make a significant and lasting difference. When we honor their gifts to Jewish life, we are living up to one of the Jewish values that guide our work, Kavod HaBriyot/honor the creations. We share our appreciation for contributions and accomplishments across the Jewish community.
Our annual meeting is a time to celebrate. In addition to honoring our award recipients, we will look back on what we’ve accomplished together over the past year. We will strengthen the relationships that are the foundation of community and the spark for Jewish life. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, June 16, 7 pm at the J. We hope to see you there!
