Religious Freedom

We would like to say a hardy Mazel Tov to the girls basketball team at Northwest Yeshiva, an Orthodox Jewish high school of about 95 students on Mercer Island, for being the first Jewish school in Washington history to qualify for a state basketball tournament. Equally impressive is the stand you have taken by not competing on the fast of Esther, the day before Purim. You have shown your true colors and are an example to athletes, girls and boys, and religious people everywhere. Read the story in the Yakima Herald.

On January 31, more than 400 women, including 75 first-time attendees, gathered for Connections, our annual outreach and fundraising luncheon. This year’s theme, Dare to Dream, needed no explanation once Alina Gerlovin Spaulding began her story. All were moved to tears, laughter and generosity, contributing $135,000 for the Community Campaign, including $14,000 designated for overseas Jewry.

Alina Gerloving Spaulding, our Connections speaker, really hit a nerve.

• “Today, as I was sobbing in the parking lot, I realized that for the first time, this event meant something; it really connected for me. The story that Alina told was my story but a lot less dramatic. You know how something that is part of your own life is ingrained that you never really reflect on it because it is such a part of you? Today, as I heard this story through Alina's eyes, I realized that everything that I have in my life is owed to the fact that there was a Jewish agency willing to help my parents get a visa and get out of Poland.”
   

• For more photos, go to our Facebook page.

  Another attendee explained, “This was the best event I have ever attended. I was so moved, so proud to support the Jewish Federation. And I couldn’t wait to make another gift so I could help Jews overseas in need.”

• "Thank you very much for a well organized and informative event. This is my first time at the Jewish Federation event in Seattle. I was pleased to see such a big community and willingness to make a difference in the world."

These were the types of sentiments heard in the halls, bathroom and ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue after Alina spoke. It was moving as she detailed her family’s journey from the former Soviet Union to New Jersey, with the help of the American Jewish community every step of the way.

January 27-30, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and Herzl-Ner Tamid Conservative Congregation are sponsoring a variety of events with Rabbi Steve Goldberg. His visit, and experiences as an Orthodox gay rabbi, was highlighted in The Seattle Times.

"Rabbi Steven Greenberg is not shy about proclaiming who he is, though it raises eyebrows. He is, he says, the world's first openly gay Orthodox rabbi."

Read more in The Seattle Times.

Learn more about the events open to  the community this weekend.

We are pleased to share with you this story that appeared recently in the Wall Street Journal that highlights some of the important work we do rescuing and helping Jews at risk around the world. Thanks to the support of many in our community, the Jewish Federation helped in the rescue of these persecuted Jews in Yemen. Your contribution makes a difference. Thank you.