Press Room

Media Contact:

Tana Senn, Marketing & Communications Director
TanaS@JewishInSeattle.org
206 774-2231
206 369-1253 cell

Jewish Federation Responds to Guilty Verdict in Haq Case

Posted on Tuesday Dec 15, 2009 10:44 AM

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle today responded to a King County jury’s guilty verdict for the man who forced his way into the Jewish Federation on July 28, 2006, shooting six employees and killing then campaign director Pamela Waechter. This was the second trial for Mr. Haq. The first ended in a mistrial.

“We are grateful that justice for this heinous hate crime has finally been served,” stated Richard Fruchter, President & CEO of the Jewish Federation. “Our hearts go out to the survivors of this shooting and their families, who bravely endured not only the shooting but two trials,” continued Fruchter.

Second Trial of the 2006 Jewish Federation Shooter Set to Begin

Posted on Tuesday Oct 20, 2009 12:27 AM

Opening statements are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 21 in the second trial of Naveed Haq, who on July 28, 2006, forced his way into the downtown offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle and opened fire, killing Pamela Waechter and wounding five other women: Layla Bush, Carol Goldman, Dayna Klein, Christina Rexroad and Cheryl Stumbo. While there is no argument that he committed the acts, the first trial ended in a mistrial.

Richard Fruchter, the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, released the following statement:

Jewish Federation Launches Second Annual "Focus and Fight: A Call to End Poverty"

Posted on Friday Oct 2, 2009 2:01 PM

Building on last year’s success, the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle in partnership with dozens of Jewish organizations is launching the second annual Focus and Fight: A Call to End Poverty by the Seattle Jewish Community. This year’s program runs from October 2-9, 2009, during the week of Sukkot.

Focus and Fight gives participants ways to help reduce poverty in our community and learn about how poverty affects the day-to-day lives of low-income people and families:

Jewtopia-related Event Raises $1.56 Million for Jewish Federation

Posted on Friday Oct 2, 2009 2:04 PM

On September 16, 1,400 members of the Jewish community packed Benaroya Hall to see the comedic duo of World of Jewtopia and help kick-off the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s annual Community Campaign. The 1,400 member crowd at “Laugh Your Way to Giving” was not only the Jewish Federation’s largest audience, but Jewtopia’s largest audience ever as well.

$65,000 in Economic Impact Grants Announced for Jewish Family Service, Jewish Day Schools

Posted on Tuesday Sep 1, 2009 8:34 AM

The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle announced today $65,000 in grants to six local Jewish organizations in the greater Seattle area. The Challenging Times Economic Impact Grants were created to help local Jewish organizations meet growing needs for services and scholarships due to the economic downturn.

Requests for proposals were sought from local Jewish organizations in four areas: Safety Net, Day School Tuition Assistance, Vocational Counseling/Training and Domestic Abuse. No one project or program was eligible for more than $10,000. Requests totaling $124,000 were received.

Strength After Disaster: Three Years Since Shooting at Jewish Federation Offices

Posted on Tuesday Jul 28, 2009 8:08 AM

SEATTLE—Three years ago this week, a lone gunman forced his way into the offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle killing one woman and gravely injuring five others. While the shooting occurred on July 28, we commemorate it each year on the third Friday, or Shabbat, of July.

Jewish Federation Announces Over $6 Million for the Jewish Community

Posted on Tuesday Jul 7, 2009 1:42 PM

Over $6 million worth of grants, scholarships and allocations for our community and to Jewish Federation programs, services and operations were recently approved and announced by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle: $5.575 million from the Community Campaign, over $300,000 for specific projects, $200,000 from the Women’s Endowment Foundation and $67,000 in camp scholarships.

Women’s Endowment Foundation announces $200,000 in Grants to Jewish Women, Girls

Posted on Tuesday Jul 7, 2009 8:00 AM

Last week, the Women’s Endowment Foundation announced $200,000 worth of grants to innovative programs and organizations addressing the needs of Jewish women and girls locally and in Israel. WEF, a supporting organization at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, was founded in 1989 by the late Shirley Bridge and a core of women who believed strongly in philanthropy by women, for women - specifically Jewish women and children in crisis at home and in Israel.

Gail Ben Meir wins Grinspoon-Steinhardt Excellence in Jewish Education Award

Posted on Wednesday Jul 1, 2009 6:53 AM

Gail Ben Meir was recently awarded the 2009 Grinspoon-Steinhardt Excellence in Jewish Education Award.

The Grinspoon-Steinhardt award is a joint effort of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Foundation and local communities. Seattle has participated in this award process for several years through the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. These awards are given to local educators who make a lasting impact on the lives of Jewish children.

Sen. McDermott, Rep. Pedersen to Receive the Tikkun Olam Legislative Tribute from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

Posted on Thursday Jun 25, 2009 12:36 PM

On June 25, Senator Joe McDermott and Representative Jamie Pedersen will be receiving the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle’s 2009 Tikkun Olam Legislative Tribute at our annual meeting.

This award recognizes legislators who embody the concept of tikkun olam, “repairing the world.” This year, we are recognizing these two legislators for their work to expand civil rights in Washington State by shaping and passing two pieces of legislation: comprehensive hate crimes legislation and expansion of legal protections for gay and lesbian couples.