Lucy Pruzan

I'm Ruth Kodish-Eskind and it's March 30th and we're at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival. Would you state your name and yeah.

Lucy Pruzan.

Thank you. Can I have your consent to record this interview?

Yes.

Um, so we're at the Seattle Jewish Film Festival at the JCC. What's your relationship to the film festival or with the community center?

Well, I've been a member of the center since before this building was built, and I was a president of the board. They call their chair now, um, several years, many years ago. And, um, uh, I've been attending the festival since it was created 30 years ago.

Amazing.

Yes.

Did you grow up in this area?

No, but I've been in Seattle for many years. Since the early 50s.

Um. How do you understand the role of the film festival in Jewish community or in Jewish life?

Well, I think it's a wonderful opportunity for a Jewish community and others to be together. And I over the years, I've noticed that a lot of the attendees are people that you don't normally see at the regular fundraising events, necessarily. And, um, you know, it's just it's it's a great, um, thing for our community.

A time to be together.

Right.

Um, you're on your way into Beethoven's Nine. Why did you choose to come to this film?

I chose it because my son, who's with me, Alan, who, by the way, was in the first preschool class in this building. Um, wanted to come and see it, and my husband didn't feel like coming, so I came with him.

Do you have anything else you want to add about the history of the JCC or what you've seen change over time?

Well, the growth has been tremendous. And, um, I can see that we're kind of bursting at the seams. So it's a good thing, and I hope it can continue to grow. Um, we you know, both, my husband was also chair of the board a number of years before I was. So we have, uh, a very warm relationship with the J. And our three kids came here during their school years. They learned how to swim, they did basketball, theater, everything. Yes. So we, uh, as well as my parents, who are now deceased, and my in-laws, who are now deceased. They were also big supporters of the J and spent a lot of time here, especially my mom. She loved to come here for, uh, exercise classes. Yeah.

Do you want to say your mom's name?

My mom was Frieda Sondland. Yes. And so, yes, it was an all family affair. That's great.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Oh. You're welcome.

Yeah.