By Amy Shafron, Special to JTNews
The JDS Annual Dinner and Auction on Sunday, March 10, at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel will pay tribute to the memory of Herb Rosen and honor his family, Rita Rosen, Stan and Michele Rosen and Judy and Krijn de Jonge.
The award was created to embody the lifetime commitment of Herb to his community. It honors his contribution of leadership, energy and resources to the Jewish Day School and numerous community causes, and recognizes his profound impact on improving the quality of Jewish life in the greater Seattle area. His unique vision, entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, commitment to community, passion for education, philanthropy and leadership will impact the community for years to come.
The first annual award will be presented to the Rosen family and, in the future, will be awarded to a person (or persons) for his/her leadership role in improving the world on behalf of future generations.
Herb and Rita were original founders of JDS, and their leadership and generosity helped the school to grow and flourish into Washington state’s largest Jewish day school. Their vision and actions enabled JDS to acquire its existing property in Bellevue. Their children, Stan and Michele Rosen, are continuing their involvement with the JDS through their participation in the current facility research process. Three of their grandchildren, Jack, Leslie and Mimi Rosen, are all JDS alumni, and Mimi currently serves as chair of the school’s new Student Alumni Relations Committee.
Herb’s dedication to Jewish and civic causes in the wider community is further illustrated by his years of involvement with so many Seattle institutions. He served as the President of the Stroum Jewish Community Center, Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation and the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. He helped the Seattle Jewish Community School get started, and assisted in brokering the deal that allowed Temple B’nai Torah to build its new synagogue on the JDS campus in Bellevue, always with the support and involvement of Rita, his wife of over 50 years. Stan, his wife Michele and his sister Judy have all been inspired by Herb and Rita’s commitment to the Jewish community, becoming involved in leadership positions themselves, often as presidents, at their synagogues, the Jewish Federation, the JCC and many Jewish and civic organizations.
As part of their commitment to JDS and to ensure that Herb’s legacy remains strong, the Rosen family will establish the Herb I. Rosen Leadership Seminar at JDS. A unique and meaningful new curriculum will be written to incorporate this seminar into a new core Judaics course for 6th- graders. It will be part of a Rabbinics course and an intensive study of Jewish leadership in the Tanach. The seminar will invite community, business and civic leaders to JDS to respond in their own way to the questions of leadership that students are grappling with.
As a true visionary and supporter of many Jewish causes, Herb Rosen shared his business acumen, entrepreneurial spirit, and enthusiasm with anyone who asked for his assistance. He inspired countless individuals in the community. Hundreds of Jewish children have been and will be touched by his and the Rosen family’s dedication to Jewish education within JDS and the wider community.
Friends, family and the entire community are welcome to attend the JDS dinner. The school has a goal of raising more than $200,000 for student health and safety, curriculum development, financial assistance, technology, professional development and more.
(JDS Development Director Amy Shafron can be contacted at 425-460-0229 for more information about honoring the Rosen family)