Steeped in Stories event graphic

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



IMG_8357.JPG

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


IMG_8359.JPG

Steeped in Stories Program for historic tea event and exhibit


IMG_8360.JPG

View of amazing treats


4.jpg

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


5.jpg

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


IMG_8361.JPG

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


IMG_8368.JPG

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


IMG_8367.JPG

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


IMG_8363.JPG

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


IMG_8483.JPG

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


IMG_8492.JPG

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


IMG_8490.JPG

Audience talking with one another and viewing the exhibit


IMG_8491.JPG

Audience members speaking with one another and viewing the exhibit 


IMG_8461.JPG

Robin Goldstein (former WSJHS Board Member) with Hannah Peters


IMG_8510.JPG

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


IMG_8517.JPG

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


IMG_8502.JPG

From left to right: Jeff Leopold and Larry Slate


IMG_8608.JPG

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


IMG_8596.JPG

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


IMG_8622.JPG

Lisa Kranseler walking off the stage following her speech


IMG_8522.JPG

Audience members watching the speaking portion of the event


IMG_8591.JPG

Lisa Kranseler giving a speech


Board President

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

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


IMG_8533.JPG

Congressman Adam Smith speaking at the event


Image (6)_0.jpg

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


Image (7).jpg

Lisa Kranseler giving speech


IMG_8394.JPG

IMG_8401.JPG

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


IMG_8410.JPG

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


IMG_8416.JPG

Lisa Kranseler and husband, Kenny Kranseler


IMG_8419.JPG

Hannah Peters (center) with parents Mette and Rick Peters


IMG_8423.JPG

Lisa Kranseler with Dee Simon


IMG_8435.JPG

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


IMG_8454.JPG

Sara Mottaz, Hannah Peters, Sha'Niya Black


IMG_8466.JPG

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


IMG_8669.JPG

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


IMG_8673.JPG

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


IMG_8663.JPG

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


IMG_8628.JPG

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


IMG_8474.JPG

Lisa Kranseler with Sonny Gorasht


IMG_8476.JPG

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


IMG_8513.JPG

Bobbie Stern with Lisa Kranseler


IMG_8514.JPG

Jean Lorch with Lisa Kranseler


IMG_8521.JPG

Congressman Adam Smith with Lisa Kranseler


IMG_8625.JPG

IMG_8639.JPG

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee member, Tammy Cohen


IMG_8652.JPG

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


IMG_8689.JPG

Cynthia Reiner Spencer and Lisa Kranseler


IMG_8685.JPG

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee Member, Karen Fusaro


IMG_8682.JPG

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


IMG_8676.JPG

Washington State Representative Janice Zahn with Lisa Kranseler


IMG_8665.JPG

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


Image (9).jpg

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


IMG_8654.JPG

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


Image (8).jpg

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


IMG_8445.JPG

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


IMG_8648.JPG

Lisa Kranseler with Planning Committee member, Paula Podemski


Image (10).jpg

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


Image (3).jpg

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


Image (5).jpg

Andrew Kranseler with mom, Lisa Kranseler


Image (11).jpg

Lisa Kranseler with daughter, Dr. Julie Kranseler