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Jewish Community News
News: January 2004
Announcing the Connections 2004 Women of Distinction
By Jodi Baum
Seventeen extraordinary women will be honored as Women of Distinction at Connections 2004, the annual fundraising and outreach event sponsored by the Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
For over two decades, the San Jose Jewish community has honored exemplary volunteers whose talent and service have made a difference, not only in their organizations, but in the community at large. The following generous, accomplished women have found their calling as leaders in the Jewish community and the Women's Philanthropy is proud to honor them. This year's recipients are:
- Larisa Blank of Chabad of S. Jose
- Kathi Beauchemin Cohen of Congregation Sinai
- Kay Fireman of Sharone Hadassah
- Peggy Frederick of Temple Emanu-El
- Emily Gannes of Council on Jewish Education
- Madelyn C. Isaacs of Congregation Beth David
- Debby Katzman of Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center
- Yana Krasnovskaya of Hillel of Silicon Valley
- Galya Levin-Burstein of Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley
- Linda Fox Mighdoll of the Women'sDivision of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley
- Julee Ogawa of Congregation Shir Hadash
- Devorah Pashut of Eitz Chaim Academy
- Joelle Pluemer of South Peninsula Hebrew Day School
- Ditza Recht of Kehillah Jewish High School
- Harriet Saltzman of Chai House
- Rachel Sidorovsky of Congregation Am Echad
- Lisa Strugala of Yavneh Day School
"I'm very happy to be chairing the Women of Distinction Committee," says Jeanette Lerner, who has been involved with Connections for five years, once as a co-chair of the event. "I love Connections because it's so phenomenal to be able to get over four hundred women together in a room. There's something wonderful about connecting people, honoring women, and bringing attention to the volunteers in an event that brings the Jewish community together."
This year, the Connections dinner, along with the 21st Annual Women of Distinction Ceremony, will take place on Thursday, March 11, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, at 6 p.m. Susan Jackson, an accomplished outreach and community development professional from Canada, will serve as the event's honored speaker, and will be sure to entertain all with her humorous wit.
This year's theme, "Tapestry of Life: Women Weaving the Fabric of Community Together," exemplifies how each woman is important in the building and strengthening of the Jewish community. The tapestry also symbolizes the multi-faceted yet interwoven mission of Connections — to involve every woman in the Greater San Jose Jewish Community, to honor Women of Distinction who represent diverse organizations, and to raise the necessary funds to help Jews-in-need locally, in Israel and in almost 60 countries around the world.
Everyone is welcome to the Connections dinner, chaired this year by another of our community's extra-ordinary volunteers, Susan Sweedler. The cost for the March 11 event, which includes a Glatt Kosher dinner, is $65 plus a minimum commitment of $180 (payable over the year) to the Jewish Federation 2004 Annual Campaign. For students, the minimum gift is $36 plus the dinner. If you have any questions or would like to receive an invitation, please contact Lynn Osband-Dick at 358-3033, x33, or request an invitation online.
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