February 2, 2006

(San Francisco, CA) The Women’s Alliance of the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties presents the Power of One Annual Gala Dinner and Reception on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at Moscone West, 800 Howard Street (at Fourth Street), San Francisco, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Power of One is a gathering of Jewish women designed to celebrate and inspire the power of each individual to make a difference in this world.

The evening’s featured speaker will be actress Marlee Matlin. Since her debut in the movie Children of a Lesser God, for which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, Matlin has blazed a trail through dozens of films and television appearances. An actor, producer, novelist, mother of four and inspirational Jewish role model, Matlin has lived a life of professional and personal dedication and compassion.

Despite going deaf at the age of 18 months, Matlin thrived by being raised “like any other child.” She began acting at the age of seven and today is a frequent guest on many acclaimed prime-time programs, most notably The West Wing, where she appears as political consultant Joey Lucas. Matlin has also appeared on Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, Spin City, ER, The Practice and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.

Matlin currently serves as a national celebrity spokesperson for the American Red Cross. In 1990, she was instrumental in getting Congress to pass Federal legislation requiring all televisions manufactured in the United States be equipped with the closed-captioning technology so familiar today. She also serves on the boards of a number of charitable organizations, including VSA Arts, Easter Seals, The Children Affected By AIDS Foundation, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Best Buddies, as well as charities that primarily benefit children. Matlin has also worked to raise awareness about the importance of donating to charitable organizations.

Also included in the Power of One program will be the presentation of the Judith Chapman Women’s Leadership Award to Sonya "Sunny" Kaplan for her lifetime of philanthropic work in support of Jewish causes. The Judith Chapman Women’s Leadership Fund, which presents the award, adheres to an annual tradition of recognizing a woman who exemplifies significant and sustained volunteer leadership in the Jewish community, serves as a role model for others and values her Jewish identity and the importance of giving in her life.

The chairs for Power of One are members of the Tandowsky family — Selma, daughter Joan and daughters-in-law Michelle and Ilana. The Tandowskys all reside on the South Peninsula.

Power of One attendees are asked to make a minimum individual gift of $365 to the Federation's Campaign 2006.

The Women's Alliance of the Jewish Community Federation offers women a unique opportunity to enhance and support Jewish life. By perpetuating the ideals and values of Jewish heritage and tradition, the Women's Alliance encourages women to become more deeply committed to the Jewish community.

The Jewish Community Federation is the central organization for fundraising, planning, outreach and leadership development for Jewish communities in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. In FY 2004-05, the Federation’s annual campaign allocated $16.9 billion to some 60 agencies providing social services, educational and cultural programs in the Bay Area, in the U.S., Israel and elsewhere in the world. In fiscal year 2005, the Federation’s Endowment Fund, with assets exceeding $1.05 billion, provided more than $215 million for a variety of grants, seed projects and emergency needs in fiscal year 2004/2005. For information, call 415.777.0411 or visit www.sfjcf.org.

*Services will be provided for the hearing impaired.