The Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley Celebrates it's 75th Anniversary!

This is a work in progress. Please help us by contributing comments or photos.

June 2, 1930

Phillip Hammer Sr. served as the Federation's first president in 1930

The San Jose Jewish Federation, now known as the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, was incorporated on June 2, 1930, in the city of San Jose. Phil Hammer Sr. was the first president, and helped launch the Federation with a small group of other people. The Federation could not have been founded at a more important time. As Hitler ascended to power in Germany, Anti-Semitism in America rose to its highest historical levels in the 1930s. Below is a partial recount of noteworthy changes at the Federation, and the San Jose Jewish Community, over the years.

The Federation's first home was on 678 North First Street in downtown San Jose

1939

Aaron Richards, Jewish Federation President, 1939-1941

1941

Lou Juren, Jewish Federation President, 1941-1943

1943

Frank Seelig, Jewish Federation President, 1943-1945

1945

Edward Sommer, Jewish Federation President, 1945-1947

1947

Herman Berns, Jewish Federation President, 1947-1949

May 4, 1948

The establishment of the state of Israel

1949

Ken Gordon, Jewish Federation President, 1949-1950

1950

Dr. Elliot Schneider, Jewish Federation President, 1950-1952

January 26, 1951

The San Jose Jewish Federation is reorganized as the Jewish Community Council of San Jose (Phil Hammer, Joseph Beck, Samuel Blumberg, Michael Garetz, Haskel Goodman, Harry Jacobs, Seaman Kay, Mrs. Herbert Mann, Kurt Opper, Herbert Ravel, Elliot Schneider, Mrs. Leigh Kaufman, George Barnett)

1952

Dr. Joseph Beck, Jewish Federation President, 1952-1953

1953

Nathan Havlin, Jewish Federation President, 1953-1955

1955

Gladys Kaufman, Jewish Federation President, 1955-1957

1957

Judge Daniel Cowans, Jewish Federation President, 1957-1958

May 1959

Annabelle Garetz, Jewish Federation President, 1958-1960
First Jewish Community News published
Jewish Federation Campaign raises $58,797.50 after final telethon

December 1959

Michael Garetz

1960 Federation Campaign Chair Dr. Michael Garetz

September 1960

The Federation's home operated behind Temple Emanu-El

Jewish Community House Dedication – (The Jewish Community Council operated out of this office)

Harry Jacobs, Jewish Federation President, 1960-1961

December 1960

Sidney J. Gambord and Peter Florsheim co-chairs of Advanced Gifts Division

September 1961

Sydney Resnick, Jewish Federation President, 1961-1962
Phil Hammer Fund, originally established by Federation, becomes the Federation’s “Loan Fund.” Later on, the Federation gives its money and this responsibility to the Hebrew Free Loan Association of San Francisco

1962

Haskell M. Goodman, Jewish Federation President, 1962-1963

1963

Dr. Michael Garetz, Jewish Federation President, 1963-1964

February 1964

Dr. Alfred H. Sporer, Jewish Federation President, 1964-1965
Young Leadership Training Program instituted (restarted recently as the Silicon Valley Young Adults Division)

November 1964

Federation Allocations of $62,238 to United Jewish Welfare Campaign

October 1965

Federation Allocations of $72,680 to United Jewish Welfare Campaign
Ben Giden, Jewish Federation President, 1965-1967

January 1966

Federation Board of Directors votes to redirect 5 percent of overseas dollars and put those funds into a building fund for JCC

1966

Campaign Committee General Chairs Hyman Weisel and Harold Witkin
Women's Division Campaign Chairs Mrs. Ben Ginden & Mrs. Herbert Marchick

October 1966

Allocations $472,830
Women's Division 1966 campaign $11,864 out of total campaign of $107,419

June 1967

Israel Emergency Campaign $250,000
Hyman Weisel, Jewish Federation President, 1967-1969

November 1967

Ruth Sporer

The Federation forms its first-ever year-round Women's Division, with first President Ruth Sporer

The first Women's Division Board of Directors, November 1967

September 1968

The Federation purchases 6½ acres by San Jose Post Office on Gaton Drive for a Jewish Community Center
Ellen Gans first Jewish Community Center Program Director

October 1968

JCN changes format to a tabloid format

(from left) Evelyn and Milton Fox, and Hy and Rene Weisel at the Federation's 4th Annual Sponsor's Ball, a fundraising dinner, in May 1968

May 1969

Maxine Ross Purwin

Herb Marchick, Jewish Federation President, 1969-1970
First time Camp Shalom opens for campers with Camp Secretary Fagie Wells (Rosen)
Maxine Purwin, Women's Philanthropy President, 1969-1971

January 1970

Ted Purwin

Ted Purwin, Jewish Federation President, 1970-1971

The JCC becomes its own independent entity and is no longer a committee of the Federation

A Professional Division committee plans a fundraising event in March 1970 (from left) Al Frank, Simon Katzen, Lawrence Ross, Barbara Frank, Phil Hammer, Gary Katz, Sid Stein, Jerry Shapiro, Marty Robinson and Irv Perlitch

Ambassador Yitzhak Rabin speaks at Temple Emanu-El for Annual Meeting on February 18, 1970
Congregation Am Echad founded

February 1971

Al Frank, Federation President in 1971	Herb Marchick receives UJA Award in 1971

$140,000 raised at Federation “Israel Gifts” dinner held at Witkin home

Federation changes its name to the Jewish Federation of Greater San Jose

UJA Award of Merit presented to Herb Marchick

Alvin Frank, Jewish Federation President, 1971-1973

(standing left) Harold Witkin, Richard Levin, Morris Burman, Phil Hammer, Al Frank, Bernie Berg, Sid Stein, (seated from left) Sidney Resnick, Irving Perlitch, Al Kragen, Ted Purwin and Milton Fox at a January 1971 Federation fundraising event

April 1971

Maureen Ellenberg

Mrs. David Berg Chair of “M-Day” Mitzvah Day on May 2, 1971

Miriam Marr new editor of JCN following Sid Stein (assisted by Jewel Peyton & Judy Rodrigs)

Maureen Ellenberg, Women's Philanthropy President, 1971-1973

July 1971

Rabbi Jerry Danzig comes to Beth David

Sandy and Maureen Ellenberg (left) and Dorothy and Mel Cotton pose by floral arrangement for Federation Annual Event circa 1970

December 1971

Land in Willow Glen is sold – it had been purchased in September 1968 for a Jewish Community Center home and is now the site of Willow Glen Villa

February 1972

Alvin Frank, Federation President in 1972

South Peninsula Hebrew Day School established

Federation Campaign $343,000

May 1972

Maureen Ellenberg and Corinne Ravel named to the Federation Board of Directors
New site for JCC found (corner of Leigh and Foxworthy) by committee: Joseph Riggio, Dr. Lawrence Ross, Mel Cotton, Al Frank (Federation president), Dr. and Mrs. William Starr, Mrs. Robert Bassian, and Marvin Fox
Miriam R. Resnick named editor of JCN

June 1972

Fredric Sonenberg leaves Jewish Federation of San Francisco to take Jewish Community Center Executive Director position
JCC and Jewish Federation move to 3002 Leigh Avenue at Foxworthy in San Jose, July 24, 1972
Simon Katzen is appointed 1973 campaign chair for the Jewish Welfare Fund
Am Echad moves to 1573 Hamilton Avenue

January 1973

Mel Cotton

Mel Cotton, Jewish Federation President, 1973-1975

Welfare Campaign (now known as the Annual Campaign) $127,000, a 20% increase from previous year

February 1973

Congregation Beth David to build in Saratoga

June 1973

Federation moves to 1777 Hamilton Avenue, in San Jose – JCC stays on Leigh

July 1973

Marion Goldman

Marion Goldman, Women's Philanthropy President, 1973-1975

November 1973

Hy Weisel Campaign Chair for ’74 campaign
October 9, 1973, 1,500 turn out for Israel rally in San Jose
$250,000 raised (Yom Kippur War) in SJ community
Land behind SJ main post office sold for $129,230 – originally intended for JCC – money applied to Israel Emergency Fund

December 1973

Robert Miller JCC Executive Director
$500,000 sent to Israel Emergency Fund

January 1974

Sidney Stein resigns after 15 years as Federation Executive Director
Total of $615,000 for Israel Emergency Fund
Joe Riggio President of JCC

June 1974

Norman Mineta

Don Glazer Federation Executive Director

San Jose Mayor Norman Mineta leads mission to Israel

Congregation Beth David breaks ground

Septmber 1974

JCC expands nursery school to full-scale nursery program

February 1975

Congregation Beth David new building dedicated
First Soviet family (Peter Krichevsky) resettled here using Federation dollars
Federation allocates $741,229

(standing left) Donald Glazer, Harold Witkin, (seated) Bernie Berg and Mel Cotton sign an unknown document circa 1975

June 1975

Marsha Dryan

Federation Executive Director Don Glazer hires Janet Berg as office manager, JCN editor and first Women’s Division Director

Marsha Dryan, Women's Philanthropy President, 1975-1977

July 1975

Mel Cotton, Federation President 1973-1975	Harold Witkin, Federation President 1975-1978

Mel Cotton turns presidency of the Federation over to Harold Witkin

August 1975

Campaign over $626,000 and climbing

September 1975

SPHDS leases Sunnyvale location

December 1975

San Jose City Council designates week of Hanukkah as “Zionism Week” and flies Israeli flag with USA flag at City Hall

June 1976

President Ford addresses Federation banquet on May 25, 1976
Rabbi David Robins Senior Rabbi at Emanu-El

President Gerald Ford addresses Federation's Annual Dinner at the Holiday Inn in San Jose in May 1976. Looking on are Donald Glazer (left) and Bob Silver

Rabbi Joseph Gitin (second from right) installed Federation officers at the Annual Meeting, (from left) Michael Rubenstein, Ron Sosnick, Hal Dryan, Marsha Dryan, Harold Witkin and Ron Joelson

July/August 1977

Adele Berg

Harold Witkin installed for 3rd term as Federation President

Adele Berg, Women's Philanthropy President, 1977-1979

Maureen Starr JCC president

Al Frank named to National UJA Campaign Cabinet

Marsha Dryan appointed to UJA Young Leadership Cabinet

October 1977

New Rabbi Yakov Yellin at Congregation Sinai

United Jewish Welfare Campaign 1978

January 1978

Chai House Project under way

May 1979

Marion Goldman

Marion Goldman, Jewish Federation President, 1978-1980

Jewish Family Service of Santa Clara County incorporates as an organization designed to help holocaust survivors, provide counseling and help resettle emigres from the Former Soviet Uniton. Gertrude Conrad served as JFS's first president. Burt Epstein served as the second president.

July 1979

Federation President Marion Goldman elected to second term
Federation Campaign raises $780,000
JFS has first annual meeting – established corporate status in October 1978 – President Gertrude Conrad, Vice President Burt Epstein, Executive Director Arthur Goldberg, Frank Golden appointed to staff

November 1979

Joan Fox

Joan Fox, Women's Philanthropy President, 1979-1981
Lee Axelrad President of Chai House
Congregation Sinai Religious School opens its doors to non-affiliated families

June 1980

Ron Sosnick, Federation President 1980-1982

Dr. Robert Levinson, historian and Beth David cantorial soloist, killed in car accident - 41 years old
Ron Sosnick, Jewish Federation President, 1980-1982

January 1981

President Ron Sosnick and Executive Director Nat Bent accept plaque honoring the Federation on its 50th anniversary
Campaign Co-chairs Marsha Dryan and Allen Guggenheim

April 1981

Philanthropic Funds established at Federation

May 1981

Beverly Hirsch

World Jewish population 14,527,150 – US Jewish Population 5,920,900 – SF 75,000

President of Chai House Lil Silberstein
JCC Board President Arnie Addison
Hadassah President Sarah Joelson
Greater South Bay Council of B’nai B’rith Women President Rosetta Barovsky
Emanu-El Sisterhood President JoAnn Shank
Beverly Hirsch, Women's Philanthropy President, 1981-1983

Ron Sosnick nominated Federation President

June 1981

Rabbi Jerry Danzig leaves Beth David

July 1981

Federation President Ron Sosnick elected to second term
Howard Sobel joins Federation staff as Campaign Director
Leah Bernstein is Director of new Yavneh Day School

September 1981

Rabbi Daniel Pressman

Shir Hadash welcomes Cantor Cory Winter

New Hillel Director Liza Sinizer

Rabbi Aliza Berk new spiritual leader at Temple Beth Sholom

Rabbi Daniel Pressman new spiritual leader at Beth David

Yavneh Day School opens

Cynthia Himmelfarb Executive Director of JFS

May 1982

Gail Joseph

San Diego Mayor Pete Wilson addresses Federation’s Leadership brunch

Joan Fox and Rabbi David Robins receive Tzedeka Awards

JFS holds 4th annual meeting

Gail Joseph Women's Division President

June 1982

Allen Guggenheim

Allen Guggenheim, Jewish Federation President, 1982-1985

Shir Hadash's new Rabbi Henry Karp

January 1983

Yavneh Day School President Lynda Harmatz

April 1983

Hadassah honors Helen Zimmerman

July/August 1983

Gail Joseph

Guggenheim re-elected Federation President
Annual campaign reaches record $947,688
Naymark Holocaust Memorial Center dedicated at Camp Swig
Bonnie Slavitt named first full-time principal of Yavneh Day School
Gail Joseph, Women's Philanthropy President, 1983-1985
Chai House waits for HUD approval
Marlene Burak is new Director of Hillel
Nat Bent leaves Federation Executive Director position
Federation begins a Management Agreement with San Francisco Federation with Rabbi Brian Lurie, S.F. Executive Director, overseeing San Jose Federation

Janet Berg runs day- to-day Federation operation and Howard Sobel runs campaign

September 1983

JCC signs contract with Los Gatos Union School District to purchase Berry School
Tentative site plan for new JCC in Los Gatos!
World Jewish population drops below point of zero population

October 1983

Women's Division Pacesetter Chair Beverly Hirsch
Women's Division Campaign Chair Ruth Litwin

November 1983

Capital funds campaign for JCC: $4,500,000 goal. Progress to date: $1,807,000

January 1984

SPHDS dedicates new Koret wing
JCC closes escrow on Berry School site in Los Gatos

April 1984

Michael Papo Federation Executive Director
Campaign Progress report: JCC Capital $3,405,000

Federation Annual Campaign, $700,739

May 1984

Susie Brenner

Yavneh moves to JCC Los Gatos site

Susan Brenner honored as first recipient of Federation's Young Leadership Award at
“An Affair with Henny Youngman”, Federation's Leadership Gifts Dinner

Chai House Board approves Life Lease plan for Phase II

June 1984

Annual Meeting awards to Lee Axelrad, Dr. Joseph Decker, Jeanette Lewon, Susie Brenner
Gail Joseph re-elected Women's Division President
Women's Divsion Campaign $152,000
First Women’s Division “Women Who Make a Difference” Chai Tea – became Women of Distinction
Janet Berg first Women's Division honoree for “Women Who Make a Difference”
Bernard and Judi Fleitman appointed Co-chairs of Leadership Development Forum
Alan Tannenbaum JFS President

July/August 1984

Campaign Chair Arnie Addison announces record campaign topping $1 million
Dr. Jonathan V. Plaut new Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El

September 1984

Marion Goldman, community leader, dies

October 1984

Chai House breaks ground on Fruitdale Avenue and launches capital fund drive

January 1985

Virginia and Sydney Levin co-chair Leadership Gifts Dinner

February 1985

Super Sunday: $220,568

April 1985

NCCJ sponsors Black-Jewish Seder

July 1985

Helen Marchick Goldman

Helen Marchick Goldman, Women's Philanthropy President, 1985-1987
Sandy Levine, first woman to lead reform congregation, at Beth David
Linda Fox Mighdoll named Chair of Leadership Development Forum
“Women Who Make the Difference” at Sylvia Metz’s home, the second Women of Distinction Awards
1985 campaign $1,054,750
Sinai names new rabbi, Allan Berkowitz

November 1985

Marsha Dryan

Larry Berman and Bob Pasternak named 1986 Campaign Co-chairs

Pearl Rosenthal Super Sunday Chair

Marsha Dryan, Jewish Federation President, 1985-1986

December 1985

Chai House opens
Cookie Addison Campaign Chair

Richard and Sydney Levin co-chair Federation's major gifts event circa 1984

January 1986

Bob Krandel

Federation moves to JCC in Los Gatos

Bob Krandel President of Chai House

August 1986

Sherman Naymark

Final projected campaign total is $1,098,000

Sherman Naymark, Jewish Federation President, 1986-1988

Robin Sabes Chair of Leadership Development Forum

Chai House Phase II groundbreaking

Herman Stern to lead new JFS board

September 1986

Federation Campaign goes over $1 million for first time
Shir Hadash moves to permanent location on Shannon Road in Los Gatos
Yavneh Day School expands to 4th grade

December 1986

Mel and Dorothy Cotton

Federation raises $1.3 million, goal was $1,098,000

Women's Division increases campaign by 20 percent

Hillel to honor Dorothy and Mel Cotton

January 1987

Doris Davis

Doris Davis, Women's Philanthropy President, 1987-1989
Congregation Sinai celebrates 30th anniversary

May 1987

Joshua B. Malks JCC Executive Director
Chai Tea honors "Women Who Make a Difference"

July/August 1987

Cookie Addison

Federation Campaign surpasses $1.3 million
Larry Berman passes away
Myra Reinhard Chair of local allocations
$436,000 allocated to UJA
Women's Division reports 1,013 donors, $240,600
Eighteen women honored at Women's Division Chai Tea
Marci Fox Green, Congregation Shir Hadash Educator
Chai House II dedicated September 13
Yavneh Principal Bonnie Slavitt Moore elected new Chair of San Jose Principals Council
Lil Silberstein, NCCJ, named recipient of an honorary doctorate in public service at Santa Clara University
Cookie Addison JCC President – additional board members: Don Fernandez, Gordon Levin, Lynne Snyder, Ed Willheim

October 1987

Raoul Wallenberg Way dedicated as an official street at Congregation Beth David
Temple Emanu-El honors San Jose City Councilwoman Susan Hammer and Philip Hammer with Tzedeka Awards
Berman Leadership Award established by board to honor memory of Larry Berman
Hillel honors Cookie Addison

June 1988

First $1,000 minimum gift Federation dinner – Elie Wiesel is featured speaker – almost 400 families attend
Rav A. H. Lapin honored at reception for his leadership of the Torah Community of San Jose
Allen Guggenheim President of Congregation Beth David

July 1988

Eli Reinhard	Janice Naymark

Eli Reinhard, Jewish Federation President, 1988-1989

Janice Naymark first Larry Berman Award winner

August 1988

JCC renamed Addison-Penzak JCC
Scott Guggenheim Hillel Director

December 1988

Chai House Kosher kitchen opens

July 1989

Judy Levin

Judy Levin receives Larry Berman Young Leadership Award at Federation's 59th Annual Meeting

Janice Naymark, Women's Philanthropy President, 1989-1991

Carol Gopin is hired as the Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley

July 1989

JFS resettles record number of émigrés from Soviet Union
Carolyn Lettween Shir Hadash president
Jamie Jacobs-May appointed to the bench of the municipal court

September 1989

Bernie Kotansky

Bernie Kotansky, Jewish Federation President, 1989-1991

JCRC re-established by Federation after 10 years without public affairs arm

Gail Joseph Federation Campaign Chair

Pope condemns hostility toward Jews

November 1989

Janice Naymark

Jewish Community Center aids earthquake victims - becomes FEMA site

JCC Lifeguard saves child’s life!

Janice Naymark Women’s Division President

Bonnie Slavitt Moore and Jack Moore establish scholarship fund at Yavneh

May 1990

Howard May

Howard May received Larry Berman Young Leadership Award
Jeane Kirkpatrick speaks at third annual community dinner
$1,333,000, Federation Annual Campaign

November 1990

JCN wins national CJF Silver Award at General Assembly April 1991
Michael Papo leaves Federation to become Executive Director of Koret
Janet Berg appointed Interim Executive Director of Federation
Super Sunday $230,000

May 1991

Al Frank

Robert Krandel receives APJCC Penney Golden Rule Award
Alvin Frank, Jewish Federation President, 1991-1993

June 1991

Judy Levin

Women's Division 1991 Campaign tops $404,000 for first time in history
Judy Levin installed as national UJA WD (president of Women's Division)
Judy Levin, Women's Philanthropy President, 1991-1993

September 1991

Howard May	Mishy Balaban

Howard May Campaign Chair

Judy Levin Women's Division President

Mishy Balaban receives the Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

1992

Larry Gerston

Larry Gerston receives the Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

May 1993

Steve and Arlene Greenberg

Holocaust Memorial museum dedicated in Washington, D.C.

Arlene and Steve Greenberg chair fall mission to Israel

Bob Krandel nominated as Federation President

Fagie Rosen's 25th Year at JCC

Melanie Berman Yavneh Principal

Cookie Addison, Women's Philanthropy President, 1993-1994

Chai House President Michael Gerstley

July 1993

Bob Krandel

Bob Krandel, Jewish Federation President, 1993-1995

Paul Ellenbogen Federation Executive Director

Federation Campaign $1,650,000

Women's Division campaign increases (largest ever) $484,000

July 1994

Mel Cotton	Mishy Balaban	Gary Nankin

Ahavas Torah founded

Larry Berman Young Leadership Award to Gary Nankin

Federation Campaign $1,600,000

Mishy Balaban, Women's Philanthropy President, 1994-1996

Mel Cotton receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

August 1995

Helaine Green

Allen Guggenheim, Jewish Federation President, 1995-1996

Helaine Green receives Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

Paul Ellenbogen leaves Federation, Janet Berg is Interim Director

Eileen Goss named new JCN Editor

Janet Berg, editor for 20 years, becomes Director of Endowments

March 1996

Judy Levin

Judy Levin, Jewish Federation President, 1996-1999

Helaine Green, Women's Philanthropy President, 1996-1998

April 1996

Jon Friedenberg

Jon Friedenberg hired as Federation Executive Director

Al Frank, AIPAC Chair

Federation's Jewish Educational Council Director Dorothy Miller

June 1996

Bernis Kretchmar retires as Women’s Division Director
Ruthellen Harris Women's Division Director

February 1997

Steve Ellenberg	Al Frank

Al Frank receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

Steve Ellenberg receives the Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

May 1997

Pat Bergman is the Mikvah attendent for the Mikvah Society of San Jose

Steve Makoff JCC Executive Director

Mikvah Society breaks ground – first mikvah in the 136-year Jewish history of San Jose

September 1997

Rabbi Eitan Julius

Beth David Hebrew High opens

Congregation Sinai hires Rabbi Eitan Julius

1996-97 Federation Annual campaign $1.72 million (an increase of 10%)

South Bay Holocaust Memorial dedicated Sunday, October 19, in APJCC courtyard

Federation adopts pluralism resolution

April 1998

Ann Greenspan

Al Frank chairs AIPAC conference

Ann Greenspan, Women's Philanthropy President, 1998-2000

May 1999

Israel celebrates 50th anniversary

July 1998

Allen Guggenheim

Federation allocates $1.9 million

Allen Guggenheim receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

September 1998

Cheryl Zatkin-Steres	Rabbi Leslie Alexander

Cheryl Zatkin-Steres receives Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

SPHDS new staff Rabbi Shmuel Jablon and David Fleischhacker

Federation establishes Community Chaplain Program and hires Rabbi Leslie Alexander

1999

Howard May	Doris Davis	Julie Krigel

Howard May, Jewish Federation President, 1999-2001

Doris Davis receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

Julie Krigel receives the Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

June 2000

Robin Sabes

Robin Sabes, Women's Philanthropy President, 2000-2002
Longtime leader in the Jewish Community, Al Frank, passes away
Dalia Maydan dies
Torah Academy honors David and Pat Bergman
Janet Berg honored at Annual Event for 25 years at Federation

July-August 2000

Bonnie Slavitt Moore	Bob Krandel

Federation Annual Campaign passes $2 million mark July 2001

Bonnie Slavitt Moore President of the Federation

Bob Krandel receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award in 2001

April 2002

Ruth Fletcher pictured with husband Michael, and son Max

Los Gatos approves new Levy Family Campus

Ruth Fletcher President of the APJCC

Jewish Family Service of Santa Clara County changes its name to Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley

August 2002

Julie Krigel	Amy Sporer Schiff	Sandy Ellenberg

Julie Krigel, Women's Philanthropy President, 2002-2004

Berman Award to Amy Sporer Schiff

Sandy Ellenberg receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

February 2003

Burt and Sandy Epstein

Burt and Sandy Epstein receive the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

Silicon Valley's only kosher restaurant, Meekk's Dinner Tree in Palo Alto, closes its doors due to financial difficulties

Senator Joseph Leiberman announces bid for the White House

Mindy Berkowitz hired as the Executive Director of Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley

March 2003

Santa Clara County Executive Richard Wittenberg retires. Wittenberg established the Santa Clara County Holocaust Remembrance Day, which coincides with Yom Hashoah

Fifteen Hillel students from Buenos Aires, Argentina, visit Silicon Valley

May 2003

Jonathan Sweedler

Jonathan Sweedler receives the Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

Brian David Goldberg Executive Director of the Jewish Federation

South Peninsula Hebrew Day School celebrates 30th anniversary

July 2003

Brett Borah

Brett Borah President of the Jewish Federation

Ruth Fletcher President of Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center

August 2003

Congregation Sinai sells part of its land to raise money for construction of a new sanctuary, social hall and preschool

Federation Annual Campaign $2.2 million

October 2003

Federation board approves the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus and sets Summer 2005 as the completion date

Rabbi Lisa Rosenberg joins Shir Hadash

Kehillah Jewish High School celebrates Torah dedicated by Bobby and Fran Lent

November 2003

Congregation Beth David celebrates 40th anniversary
Gloria and Ken Levy submit $2 million challenge grant to the LevyCampus

December 2003

Fagie Rosen

Eli Reinhard makes $1 million gift to Levy Campus Campaign

Fagie Rosen honored for 35 years as JCC employee

January 2004

South Bay Jews interested in a kosher supermarket listen to Albertsons executives during a meeting held at SPHDS Dec. 2

Judy Levin awarded the Harold R. Witkin Humanitarian Award by the Jewish Federation

More than 500 South Bay Jews lobby Albertsons for local kosher facility

Kehillah Jewish High School forfeits Blackford Campus to higher bidder

April 2004

JCC comes tumbling down on April 25, Levy Family Campus to rise in its place

Santa Clara County holds Holocaust Remembrance ceremony

May 2004

Linda Foz Mighdoll	Judy Levin	Debbie Michels

Linda Fox Mighdoll, Women's Philanthropy President, 2004-2005

Judy Levin receives the Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

Debbie Michels receives Larry Berman Young Leadership Award

Santa Clara County host its first-ever Israel Cultural Awareness Day

Congregation Sinai breaks ground for construction of its new campus

Federation Board of Directors votes to discontinue financial support of the Jewish Community News, the Council of Jewish Education and the Jewish Community Relations Council

July 2004

Rabbi Schonbrun

Hillel of Silicon Valley receives accreditation

Federation closes escrow on Levy Family Campus

Congregation Beth David hires Assistant Rabbi Aaron Schonbrun

January 2005

Eli Reinhard

Eli Reinhard receives Harold Witkin Humanitarian Award

Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley celebrates 75th anniversary

Judy Levin takes over as Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley President. Outgoing President Brett Borah passes the gavel at the 75th Annual Meeting.

August 2005

The Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center begins operating out of the Gloria and Ken Levy Family Campus. Other campus agencies, including the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, move in during August and September.

October 16, 2005

3,000 people celebrate at the Gloria and Ken Levy Grand Opening event. Debbie Friedman performs. See photos of the event.

March 9, 2006

Over 400 women celebrate at Connections, the annual event sponsored by Women's Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley. See photos of the event.

Mission statement

The Mission of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley is to raise and to allocate funds needed to maintain and strengthen Jewish identity, Jewish community and Jewish life, and to work toward meeting the needs and concerns of the Jewish community locally, in the United States, in Israel and throughout the Diaspora and to develop leadership. More

Contact Us

Our staff page includes phone numbers and email links to all staff people, and executive committee board members. More