Agents of Change
Every day, the world around us is changing in countless ways, and we in turn are changing the world. In that way, we are all agents of change, and the twenty women we have chosen to honor in the Washington State Jewish Historical Society's 50th anniversary exhibit "Agents of Change: 20 Remarkable Jewish Women of Washington State" are representatives of us all as they make changes great and small. This exhibit was presented in 2018. It is our hope that the women in this collection will inspire you to be the agents of change our people have always aspired to be, taking the spirit of tikkun olam out into our communities and doing the hard work it takes to repair the world.
Amy Lavin
Amy Lavin discusses her upbringing on Mercer Island, her college years from Northwestern to Duke, professional life and eventual return to Seattle. She shares her family's history and immigration story, as well as the changing styles of religious observance in her family. She discusses her long-standing relationship with the Jewish Community Center as well as her passion for cancer research.
Becky Benaroya
Seattle native, Becky Benaroya, shares her family’s immigrant journey from Rhodes and Eastern Europe in the early 1900s and their rise through hard work and faith. Deeply influenced by her observant mother and wise grandfather, she learned the values of humility, integrity, and Jewish tradition. Becky's life reflects resilience—from navigating World War II and raising a family to fostering philanthropy in health, education, and the arts alongside her husband. Reflecting on faith, family, and legacy, she emphasizes gratitude, purpose, and the joy of giving back to the community.
Bobbe Bridge
Seattle native Bobbe Bridge gives some of her family background and explains her pursuit of a degree in judicial politics. She shares about the challenges she faced as a woman in the field of law and the changes she witnessed over time. Bobbe Bridge is interviewed about her journey from working in a law firm to joining the King County Superior Court Bench, and she reflects on her career and personal life as well.
Barbara Rothstein
Barbara Rothstein is a pioneering jurist whose passion for public service was inspired by her physician father’s commitment to helping others and by early lessons in community responsibility. After graduating from Harvard Law School as one of few women in her class, she built a career dedicated to consumer protection and judicial integrity. Now a respected federal judge, Rothstein is known for her fairness, mentorship, and commitment to ensuring justice for all.
Carrie Brownstein
Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney discusses her motivations for entering the music industry and the personal transformations she experienced through the music community. She discusses how her Jewish identity has shaped her life and music, especially the feelings of otherness and displacement. This interview also includes her more recent explorations of film through directing and acting.
Doreen Alhadeff
Doreen Alhadeff was raised in a Sephardic family in Seattle. Doreen shares about the time she spent studying in Spain before returning to Seattle to start a family and pursue a career in residential real estate. Doreen Alhadeff helped to found the Sephardic Network, connecting Seattle's Sephardic community and celebrating Sephardic culture. She tells the story of her pursuit of Spanish citizenship, a way that she has been able to honor her ancestors and reclaim her heritage.
Hilary Stern
Hilary Stern reviews her family history and her upbringing in Seattle and in Israel. As a young adult she taugh English as a second language and become involved in Latin American liberation struggles. Hilary became fluent in Spanish and after living in Nicaragua, returned to Seattle and founded Casa Latina.
Janet Varon
Janet Varon's parents were Sephardic and Israeli, and she grew up in the Bronx and eventually in California. She attended Harvard Law School and worked at Evergreen Legal Services, eventually founding Nola, motivated by a desire to address systemic issues in healthcare.
Jessica Markowitz
Jessica Markowitz is a NYU graduate with a strong family background in science. She founded Richards Rwanda to empower girls in Rwanda through education, inspired by a personal connection with Rwandan activist Richard. Their experiences volunteering in Israel deepened both their Jewish identity and their commitment to global social justice and community service.
Michelle J. Goldberg
Raised in New Hampshire with a rabbi grandfather, Michelle Goldberg discusses how her Jewish identity has shaped her life. This interview covers Michelle Goldberg's career from venture capital to technology companies, exploring the gender dynamics that she witnessed in these fields. Michelle eventually moved to Seattle and discusses her affection for the city.
Mina Miller
Born to Holocaust survivor parents, Mina Miller turned a lifelong passion for music into a mission by founding Music of Remembrance, an organization that uses commissioned works and performances to honor Holocaust victims and educate future generations. Their leadership has transformed the organization into an internationally recognized force for remembrance, resilience, and the power of music to confront persecution.
Marcie Sillman
Marcie Sillman is a veteran journalist whose passion for storytelling began in college radio and flourished over three decades at Seattle’s KUOW. Known for her thoughtful arts coverage and commitment to balanced reporting, she has been a steadfast voice in public broadcasting. Grounded in her Jewish values of community and integrity, Marcie continues to champion ethical journalism and greater representation of women in the media.
Michele Rosen
Michele Rosen was raised by her grandparents in in Los Angeles in a culturally rich home with Yiddish spoken and traditional games played. During her high school years in the 1960s, Michele became involved in political activities, and eventually attended UC Berkeley where she participated in various protests and movements of the time. Michele Rosen is actively involved in volunteer work and have held significant roles at Jewish Family Services and Hillel.
Nancy Pearl
Nancy grew up in a politically active, left-wing Jewish family in Detroit, where her early love of reading was nurtured by the local library and its supportive librarians. Inspired from a young age, she pursued her dream of becoming a children’s librarian. Originally a poet, Nancy later transitioned to prose, expanding her creative expression and deepening her literary voice.
Patty Fleischmann
Patty Fleischmann is a Seattle-based therapist and social justice advocate whose work in anti-trafficking began after a film project inspired her to take action locally. She co-founded Stolen Youth, a coalition dedicated to ending child trafficking through prevention, survivor support, and demand reduction. Deeply influenced by her father’s Holocaust survival and her Jewish value of tikkun olam, repairing the world, Patty channels empathy and resilience into both her therapy practice and her advocacy for vulnerable children.
Rabbah Rona Matlow
Rabbah Rona Matlow is a distinguished Navy veteran and reflects on their military career, the influence of family and faith, and the challenges of observing Jewish traditions in demanding professional environments. Their story also highlights personal resilience, including experiences with gender identity, political advocacy, and a commitment to advancing understanding and inclusion for transgender individuals.
Rachel Nussbaum
Rachel Nussbaum grew up in Charleston’s close-knit Jewish community, where exposure to multiple denominations shaped her broad and inclusive view of Judaism. Inspired by meeting a female rabbi in high school, she pursued the rabbinate despite initial family resistance. Now the founder of Seattle’s Kavana Cooperative, Rachel leads an innovative, participatory Jewish community grounded in intention, empowerment, and a deeply personal approach to faith and tradition.
Sue Bird
Point guard Sue Bird shares her journey in the world of women's basketball, describing the role models and coaches who inspired her personal and professional development. Sue Bird discusses growing up in an interfaith family and her personal background, changes she witnessed in the WNBA, and her future ambitions.
Suzi Levine
Suzi Levine describes a dynamic career spanning technology, government, and public service, including leadership roles at Microsoft and Expedia, where she helped launch Windows 95 and revolutionize online travel. Transitioning from the private sector to diplomacy, she served as a U.S. ambassador under President Obama, emphasizing collaboration, national security, and economic growth. A pioneer for women in tech, she reflects on challenging gender norms and using her perspective to foster inclusivity and equity. Guided by her Jewish values, Suzi continues to champion education, civic engagement, and fair governance through initiatives like apprenticeship programs and anti-gerrymandering efforts.
Tana Senn
Tana Senn discusses her upbringing in Southern California and her family history - including her grandparents who were holocaust survivors. This interview highlights her legislative achievements, including passing equal pay legislation and addressing children's mental health.