Community
Community
Building a Thriving Jewish Community for Today and Tomorrow
The Federation nurtures a vibrant Jewish community by bringing people together across generations and backgrounds through a wide range of events and initiatives. We help make Jewish life accessible to all with programs for families such as PJ Library®, summer camp scholarships, and Teen Israel experiences. We also invest in the next generation of leaders through the Francine R. Loeb Leadership Institute, the Ben-Gurion Society, and the National Young Leadership Cabinet.
These efforts bring our diverse community together, ensuring a thriving Jewish life today and tomorrow.
Leadership Development
Your Jewish Journey Starts Here
Francine R. Loeb Leadership Institute
A hands-on leadership development program for rising Jewish professionals (ages 28–42) through board service, mentorship, and skill-building workshops.
National Young Leadership Cabinet
Federation’s premier five-year program for Jewish leaders (ages 30–40) to grow through national leadership training, missions, and a lifelong alumni network.
Ben-Gurion Society
A network for emerging philanthropists (ages 21–45) who give $1,000+ annually and help sustain the future of Jewish community through generosity and connection.
Interest Groups
Find the Community That Fits You
Cardozo Society
A community for Jewish legal professionals, offering CLEs, networking, and recognition for excellence in law.
Women’s Philanthropy
A dynamic community of Jewish women leading through connection, giving, and shared Jewish values.
Funding Community Innovation
We are building a sustainable future by creating ongoing revenue streams to support vital Jewish programs. Through Small Agency Sustainability Grants, Ignition Grants, and Women’s Endowment Fund Grants, we provide operational support and fund new, innovative projects that strengthen our community.
Ignition Grants
A program designed to spark creativity and innovation in our community. Providing up to $12,000 to support new pilot and one-time initiatives that address the evolving needs of Jewish life.
Small Agency Sustainability Grants
Designed to support small Jewish organizations, these grants provide up to $5,000 in operational funding to help organizations with annual budgets of $150,000 or less continue serving Jewish communities across Western Washington.
Women’s Endowment Fund Grants
Supporting programs that promote social change and empower women and girls in Western Washington. Providing up to $10,000, distributed over two years.
Connecting Kids to Jewish Life
PJ Library gives over 3,000 young children a welcoming entry point into Jewish life. Every month, PJ Library sends award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and culture to families with children ages 6 months to 8 years.
PJ Our Way gives kids ages 9-12 an opportunity to choose books that meet their interests and expand their independence. The program includes a user-friendly online platform for kids to write and read book reviews and create other content to share in the PJ Our Way community.
Uplifting Early Childhood Jewish Educators
ElevatEd is a national initiative that strengthens early childhood Jewish education by recruiting, training, mentoring, and financially supporting new and current educators. Brought to Seattle by the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle in August 2024, this three-year pilot program, led by JCC Association, Jewish Federations of North America, and the Union for Reform Judaism, aims to address the educator shortage and build stronger Jewish foundations for families and communities.
Making Jewish Summer Camp Possible
Last year, we awarded over $350,000 to nearly 350 children, enabling them to participate in formative Jewish experiences that build connection and identity.
We are dedicated to the life-changing impact of Jewish summer camp and ensuring that financial need is never a barrier. Our goal is to make camp accessible to every family. Find out how to apply for scholarships below!
Teen Israel Scholarships
Traveling to Israel is a life-changing experience for Jewish teens! Youths returning from Israel share insightful stories about the profound impact of their experiences, how their Jewish identity became stronger, and the lasting connection they made with our Jewish homeland.
We are proud to shine a spotlight on the fellows in this year’s Loeb Leadership Institute (LLI) cohort, the Federation’s year-long program that prepares Seattle’s Jewish leaders for future service. Meet Greg Shapiro and learn how he’s making an impact in our community!
We are excited to share that later this summer, the Washington State Jewish Historical Society will be integrated into the Federation’s portfolio of meaningful engagement programs we offer to the community.
We have created a collection of educational resources that you can share with your community leaders, your school administration and educators, and elected representatives so they can engage with Jewish American Heritage Month.
It is important to remember that the reason we are committed to countering antisemitism and keeping our community safe is so that we can be Jewish joyfully, openly, and with optimism about the future.
