By , Special to JTNews
Diane Sigel and Robin Wehl, two women instrumental in the growth and success of the Pacific Northwest Region’s Young Judaea movement, have been chosen to receive honors at this year’s Community Havdalah, “M’Dor L’Dor—From Generation to Generation.”
The Third Annual Havdalah, an evening for the entire family, features a Havdalah service led by the Young Judaeans, music, dessert and raffle drawings for one-of-a-kind artwork by local Jewish artists. This year’s event is on Saturday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Island House on Mercer Island.
Diane Sigel is being awarded Young Judaea’s highest honor, the Max and Sara Efron Award, named for the founders of Young Judaea. As a member of Hadassah’s Youth Commission, Sigel has been instrumental in the success of Young Judaea during the past five years. A third- generation lifetime Hadassah member, Sigel is also the CEO of her family’s Outdoor Family Fun Stores in Tacoma, Everett and Mt. Vernon. She is chairperson of the Pierce County Committee Corporate Council for the Arts, a lifetime member of the Council of Jewish Women, and on the board of directors of a national buying group for businesses.
According to Sandy Samuel, Regional Chair of the Hadassah Zionist Youth Commission, “Diane has consistently supported Young Judaea. She has a great humility and is very respected by those of us that know her and work with her. She has been there for Young Judaea and Hadassah on every level through countless hours of dedication, commitment and friendship. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to show our gratitude and to present this award to someone so deserving.”
Young Judaeans will also have the opportunity to pay tribute to and thank Robin Wehl, past associate director, PNW Young Judaea. Wehl served with the youth group for four years, developing and implementing social programming for young people in grades 3 through 12. She established after-school programs with the Seattle Jewish Community School and the Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, organized weekend study seminars and summer camps, and staffed two six-week trips to Israel for teenagers. Wehl, a lifetime Hadassah member, founded a Young Judaea chapter in Boise, Idaho, and created a continuing partnership with the Stroum Jewish Community Center, where she now serves as the Youth and Family Program Director.
Reservations for the Community Havdalah — $10 per person or $36 for a family of four or more — benefit Young Judaea. Reservations may be made by sending payment to (please make checks out to Young Judaea) the Seattle Chapter office of Hadassah, attention: Marcia Belenky, at 13219 N.E. 20th St., Suite No. 110, Bellevue, WA 98005. For more information, call the Seattle Chapter of Hadassah at 425-401-9338.