By Eric Schinfeld, other
The Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of the Greater Seattle is looking forward to a pretty standard year for their 2002-2003 season. That is, if you consider standard two of the biggest Jewish women’s events in the area, several high profile speakers and a host of educational and outreach opportunities.
“To say we have big plans in the works for the 2003 Community Campaign season is an understatement,” says Women’s Division President Tina Novick. “We have a great, energetic board and wonderful momentum from last year, not to mention an exciting slate of events. I look forward to seeing as many Jewish women in the area take part in the wide variety of opportunities we have to offer.”
Each of these programs makes up one part of the Women’s Division’s overall mission, which invites all women within the Seattle area’s diverse Jewish community to become involved through outreach, education and leadership development. Programs such as the Leadership Development series, chaired by last year’s Women’s Division president Connie Kanter, prepare women for roles as Jewish community leaders. Turn the Page, the Seattle area’s largest annual educational event for Jewish women, offers them an evening for studying their Jewish heritage through a keynote address and group learning sessions. This year, Turn the Page will be chaired by Lisa Brashem and Julie Ellenhorn.
The year of events kicks off with the annual Lion of Judah Luncheon on Oct. 2, hosted by Becky Benaroya. The Lion of Judah program honors women who personally contribute $5,000 or more to the Jewish Federation Community Campaign during a given year. The special guest speaker for this year’s luncheon will be Linda Scherzer, the former Middle East correspondent for CNN and Israel Television. She is best known for her interview — through a gas mask — with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Israel was undergoing a scud missile attack.
The Business & Professional (B&P) Women’s Division kicks off its three outreach events with a Nov. 20 program featuring Donna Dubinsky, former president and CEO of Palm Computing and current CEO of Handspring. B&P provides opportunities for Jewish professional women in the greater Seattle area to network and develop new ways for meaningful community involvement and fundraising. Dubinsky is the highest profile businesswoman who has spoken to the B&P women, and her speech promises to be an interesting mix of business and religious messages.
Deborah Levinger, entering her second year as B&P Co-Chair, sees the Dubinsky program as the perfect follow-up to B&P’s growing success. “This event builds on tremendous momentum from last year, where we held three great events and boasted great gains in our fundraising ability,” Levinger said. “The upcoming year will only continue to bolster the energy and interest that Jewish business and professional women have shown in these kinds of opportunities.”
This year the Women’s Division will also be pioneering its first campaign event for its Rimon Division. Introduced to the Seattle community in 1999, Rimon (the Hebrew word for pomegranate) is a designation for women who personally contribute at least $1,800 to the annual Community Campaign. Since its local inception, the Rimon division has grown to include more than 80 women. The guest speaker for this inaugural event on Nov. 6 will be Dr. Ellen Cannon, the renowned political scientist and the current Vice President of the American Jewish Congress’ Midwest Region.
Also trying out new things this year will be the Women’s Division’s signature event, Connections. The largest annual gathering of Jewish women in the greater Seattle area, Connections will, as always, feature an elegant meal and prominent speaker, but event chairs Naomi Weiss and Alise Tarica will also break new ground with an innovative concept for the event’s format: a Sunday brunch. “Our hope is to create a festive and memorable event devoted to the unique bond and contributions of Jewish women in the Seattle area,” they explain. “A brunch presents a nice departure from previous years, allowing everyone to enjoy a leisurely Sunday together and develop new connections.” Connections will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers.
As Patty Lazarus, Women’s Division campaign chair, adds, “In each of the past five years, Seattle women have contributed an increasing percentage of the community campaign. In fact, last year, Seattle women contributed almost a third of the total raised annually by the Federation. In 2003, we hope to motivate women to devote more of their time and financial resources to meeting the needs of Jewish people everywhere.”
For more information on these or other ways to get involved in the Women’s Division, call 206-774-2219 or e-mail [email protected].