Steeped in Stories: An Exhibit Celebrating Two Decades of History

May 17, 2026

May 17th, 2026 | 3-5:00 PM | Bellevue, WA

In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month and commemorating the leadership and service of longtime Executive Director Lisa Kranseler.

This page will be updated in the days after the event with all event material, including photos, tributes, and any other additional information.

Questions? Email info@wsjhs.org

Name tags ready for 150 registered attendees at sold out Steeped in Stories Event

Name tags ready for 150 registered attendees at sold out Steeped in Stories Event

Steeped in Stories Program for historic tea event and exhibit

Steeped in Stories Program for historic tea event and exhibit

View of amazing treats

View of amazing treats

Beautiful display for tea service catering by Leah's Kosher Catering

Beautiful display for tea service catering by Leah's Kosher Catering

Beautiful floral arrangements made in teapots, design by Karen Fusaro, Planning Committee member

Beautiful floral arrangements made in teapots, design by Karen Fusaro, Planning Committee member

Amazing catered display and list of delicious treats -savory and sweet

Amazing catered display and list of delicious treats -savory and sweet

Introductory Exhibit Panel for the Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling Exhibit first presented at the Steeped in Stories historic tea event on May 17, 2026 and available for travel

Introductory Exhibit Panel for the Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling Exhibit first presented at the Steeped in Stories historic tea event on May 17, 2026 and available for travel

Ron Waldbaum, WSJHS Board President, viewing Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling exhibit

Ron Waldbaum, WSJHS Board President, viewing Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling exhibit

Gabe Cohn, Franine Loeb Leadership Institute Fellow, looking at Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling exhibit

Gabe Cohn, Franine Loeb Leadership Institute Fellow, looking at Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling exhibit

From left to right: WSJHS Employee Sha'Niya Black and Brian Carter, Executive Director of King County 4Culture, viewing Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling Exhibit

From left to right: WSJHS Employee Sha'Niya Black and Brian Carter, Executive Director of King County 4Culture, viewing Twenty Years of Jewish Storytelling Exhibit

From left to right: Rabbi Daniel Weiner of Temple De Hirsch Sinai speaking with Jerry Dunietz and Laurie Minsk

From left to right: Rabbi Daniel Weiner of Temple De Hirsch Sinai speaking with Jerry Dunietz and Laurie Minsk

Audience talking with one another and viewing the exhibit

Audience talking with one another and viewing the exhibit

Audience members speaking with one another and viewing the exhibit

Audience members speaking with one another and viewing the exhibit

Robin Goldstein (former WSJHS Board Member) with Hannah Peters

Robin Goldstein (former WSJHS Board Member) with Hannah Peters

From left to right: Lisa Oratz, Keith Oratz, Lynn Smith, Ilana Cone Kennedy (ED of Holocaust Center for Humanity)

From left to right: Lisa Oratz, Keith Oratz, Lynn Smith, Ilana Cone Kennedy (ED of Holocaust Center for Humanity)

From left to right: Lisa Kranseler, Rose Yu (center) Executive Director of the Hebrew Free Loan Association and Lynn Wartnik, and Cindy Coopersmith, mom of Lisa Kranseler at very right, looking on

From left to right: Lisa Kranseler, Rose Yu (center) Executive Director of the Hebrew Free Loan Association and Lynn Wartnik, and Cindy Coopersmith, mom of Lisa Kranseler at very right, looking on

From left to right: Jeff Leopold and Larry Slate

From left to right: Jeff Leopold and Larry Slate

Jon & Bobbe Bridge, Executive Director, Hannah Peters speaking at the event

Jon & Bobbe Bridge, Executive Director, Hannah Peters speaking at the event

Jon & Bobbe Bridge, Executive Director Hannah Peters, hugging Executive Director Emeritus, Lisa Kranseler

Jon & Bobbe Bridge, Executive Director Hannah Peters, hugging Executive Director Emeritus, Lisa Kranseler

Lisa Kranseler walking off the stage following her speech

Lisa Kranseler walking off the stage following her speech

Audience members watching the speaking portion of the event

Audience members watching the speaking portion of the event

Lisa Kranseler giving a speech

Lisa Kranseler giving a speech

WSJHS Board President Ron Waldbaum as the MC for the event

Solly Kane is the President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, speaking at the event

Congressman Adam Smith speaking at the event

Congressman Adam Smith speaking at the event

Lisa Kranseler, after being presented with retirement sash by Hannah Peters, the Jon & Bobbe Bridge Director of the WSJHS

Lisa Kranseler giving speech

Lisa Kranseler with WSJHS Contractor and Exhibit assistant curator, Isabel Mata

Lisa Kranseler with WSJHS Contractor and Exhibit assistant curator, Isabel Mata

From left to right: Lisa Kranseler, Julie Kranseler, Kenny Kranseler, Andrew Kranseler, Marissa Kranz

From left to right: Lisa Kranseler, Julie Kranseler, Kenny Kranseler, Andrew Kranseler, Marissa Kranz

Lisa Kranseler and husband, Kenny Kranseler

Lisa Kranseler and husband, Kenny Kranseler

Hannah Peters (center) with parents Mette and Rick Peters

Hannah Peters (center) with parents Mette and Rick Peters

Lisa Kranseler with Dee Simon

Lisa Kranseler with Dee Simon

WSJHS Staff from left to right: Sara Mottaz, Lisa Kranseler, Hannah Peters, Sha'Niya Black and Isabel Mata, contractor

WSJHS Staff from left to right: Sara Mottaz, Lisa Kranseler, Hannah Peters, Sha'Niya Black and Isabel Mata, contractor

Sara Mottaz, Hannah Peters, Sha'Niya Black

Sara Mottaz, Hannah Peters, Sha'Niya Black

From left to right: Hannah Peters, Joel Arensberg, Dianne Arensberg, Lisa Kranseler

From left to right: Hannah Peters, Joel Arensberg, Dianne Arensberg, Lisa Kranseler

Seth Goldstein, WSJHS Board President elect; Mimi Rosen, Immediate Past WSJHS Board President; Ron Waldbaum, WSJHS Board President

Seth Goldstein, WSJHS Board President elect; Mimi Rosen, Immediate Past WSJHS Board President; Ron Waldbaum, WSJHS Board President

From left to right: Hannah Peters, Lisa Kranseler, and Board Members: Seth Goldstein, Mimi Rosen and Ron Waldbaum

From left to right: Hannah Peters, Lisa Kranseler, and Board Members: Seth Goldstein, Mimi Rosen and Ron Waldbaum

From left to right: Solly Kane, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle; Lisa Kranseler; Hannah Peters

From left to right: Solly Kane, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle; Lisa Kranseler; Hannah Peters

From left to right: Hannah Peters, Lisa Kranseler, Bobbe Bridge, Jon Bridge

From left to right: Hannah Peters, Lisa Kranseler, Bobbe Bridge, Jon Bridge

Lisa Kranseler with Sonny Gorasht

Lisa Kranseler with Sonny Gorasht

From left to right: Gena Gorasht, Lisa Kranseler, Sonny Gorasht

From left to right: Gena Gorasht, Lisa Kranseler, Sonny Gorasht

Bobbie Stern with Lisa Kranseler

Bobbie Stern with Lisa Kranseler

Jean Lorch with Lisa Kranseler

Jean Lorch with Lisa Kranseler

Congressman Adam Smith with Lisa Kranseler

Congressman Adam Smith with Lisa Kranseler

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee member, Tammy Cohen

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee member, Tammy Cohen

From left to right: Tammy Cohen, Lisa Kranseler, Isabel Mata

From left to right: Tammy Cohen, Lisa Kranseler, Isabel Mata

Cynthia Reiner Spencer and Lisa Kranseler

Cynthia Reiner Spencer and Lisa Kranseler

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee Member, Karen Fusaro

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee Member, Karen Fusaro

From left to right: Cynthia Flash Hemphill, Hannah Peters, Nathan Hemphill, Mette Peters, Rick Peters

From left to right: Cynthia Flash Hemphill, Hannah Peters, Nathan Hemphill, Mette Peters, Rick Peters

Washington State Representative Janice Zahn with Lisa Kranseler

Washington State Representative Janice Zahn with Lisa Kranseler

From left to right: Geri Capeloto, Representative Janice Zahn, Lisa Kranseler, Jean Lorch, Cynthia Reiner Spencer, Julie Kranseler

From left to right: Geri Capeloto, Representative Janice Zahn, Lisa Kranseler, Jean Lorch, Cynthia Reiner Spencer, Julie Kranseler

From left to right: Jamie Peha, WSJHS Board member; Tammy Cohen, Planning committee; Lisa Kranseler; Cheryl Long, Planning Committee, Julie Kranseler, daughter of Lisa Kranseler

From left to right: Geri Capeloto, Sandy Glass, Tammy Cohen, Jacquie Bayley, Lisa Kranseler, Julie Kranseler, Susanne Shavelson, Leigh Ann More, Joanne Edinberg, Amy Slate

From left to right: Geri Capeloto, Sandy Glass, Tammy Cohen, Jacquie Bayley, Lisa Kranseler, Julie Kranseler, Susanne Shavelson, Leigh Ann More, Joanne Edinberg, Amy Slate

Lisa Kranseler with flowers from daughter, Julie Kranseler, before start of event

WSJHS staff and contractor in a rare moment of relaxation and joy at the end of the historic tea and exhibit

WSJHS staff and contractor in a rare moment of relaxation and joy at the end of the historic tea and exhibit

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee member, Paula Podemski

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee member, Paula Podemski

Lisa Kranseler, Executive Director for 20 years, in front of entrance to the Bellevue Botanical Gardens, site of exhibit and historic tea for retirement party

Lisa Kranseler with Hannah Peters, the Jon & Bobbe Bridge Director of the WSJHS, after the presentation of a bonsai tree with strong roots and a sash; card from Lisa's daughter, Julie Kranseler

Andrew Kranseler with mom, Lisa Kranseler

Lisa Kranseler with daughter, Dr. Julie Kranseler

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