Portland

Co-Chairs

Barbara Atlas & Brian Suher

Susan & Rick Rosenbloom

Committee

Todd Bedrick

Hailey Bernstein

Mia Birk & Glen Coblens

Elise Montrose Engleberg

Wendi & Sandy Menashe

Advisory Committee

Anna Davis

Duncan Gilman

Avital & Ben O’Glasser

Benjamin Olds

Lindsay von Colditz

Seattle

Co-Chairs

Dorothy Dwoskin & Mark Orr

Carol & Allen Gown

Committee 

Polly & Robert Amkraut

Lisa & Warren Fein

Dan Friedmann

Shelly Shapiro

Aaron Strauss

Danny Strauss

Howard Zack

 Advisory Committee

Adam Atkins

David Bayley 

Michael Berkenwald

Ariella Emlen-Reid

Matthew Korch

Michelle Kulp

Lisa & Bob Low

Eliot Low

Tracy Pitt

Briana Goldstein

Aviva Schechterson

Jonathan Schwartz

Blaire Shainsky

Sarah Tobis

British Columbia

Co-Chairs

Lisa Boroditsky

Sandy Hazan Switzer

Committee

Karli Behr

Shelley Behr

Kyle Berger

Ronit Berger

Dan Brown

Alena Levitz

Ben Lubinizki

Lisa Romalis

Deborah Stern Silver

Julia Switzer

Renee Switzer

Lissa Weinberger

Jennifer Wilds

Sandie Zieve

Debbi & Dr. Alan Montrose

Portland Honorees

Alan Montrose spent seven formative summers at Camp Solomon Schechter, first on Whidbey Island, and later in Tumwater. As a camper, he built lifelong friendships across the Pacific Northwest, and discovered the power of Jewish community outside the synagogue, reflecting that “Camp Solomon Schechter, with Rabbi Stampfer being there, was probably the strongest influence in creating my Jewish identity.” Years later, Alan returned to serve on the board of directors, eventually becoming president during the hiring of the camp’s first full-time executive director – an important step in expanding both camp enrollment, and retreat rentals.

During that time, the Montrose Family participated with a circle of former campers to help launch annual alumni family camps – forging deep multigenerational bonds that continue today! Debbi Montrose fell in love with Camp Solomon Schechter through those family camps, even before their children were old enough to attend summer camp. Inspired to bring Israeli dance retreats to camp, she founded Camp Solomon Schechter’s only annual Israeli Dance Retreat for intermediate and advanced Israeli folk dancers. Now approaching its 24th year, the weekend program welcomes dancers from across the Pacific Northwest, and alumni who travel from around the country to return each year.

Together, Debbi and Alan have chosen to include Camp Solomon Schechter in their estate and legacy plans, helping to ensure that the magical place where Judaism and Joy are One continues to thrive for generations to come!

Cindy & Bob Strauss

Seattle Honorees

Cindy Fein Strauss and Bob Strauss share a lifelong love story with Camp Solomon Schechter.

Cindy and her four siblings spent every childhood summer at Sheckter, beginning back on Whidbey Island. Bob’s camp journey started in the summer of 1978: riding his motorcycle to Tumwater to visit Cindy, who was serving as Camp Director. That summer, sitting together on the hill overlooking camp, they decided to get married.

In the years that followed, Camp Solomon Schechter became a true family home. They attended Family Camp, and all three of their boys – Aaron, Joey, and Danny – grew up spending their summers at camp. Bob even served as Camp Dad for two summers, finally getting his own taste of the camp experience.

Both Cindy and Bob have given so much back to camp over the decades through board service, professional expertise, generous support, and endless hours of volunteering. Many of their closest lifelong friends are people they met through camp, and the same is true for their sons. Though humbled – and in true Strauss fashion, a bit embarrassed to be honored – Cindy and Bob are delighted to shine a light on the role Camp Solomon Schechter has played in their family’s life and in strengthening Jewish community across the Pacific Northwest.

Rabbi Matthew Bellas (z”l)

British Columbia Honoree

At just eight years old, Matthew Bellas first felt the spark to become a rabbi while leading services at Camp Solomon Schechter. His early summers at Camp Solomon Schechter shaped his love of Judaism and his path toward Jewish leadership.

While earning his rabbinical degree, Rabbi Bellas returned in 2001 and 2002 as Rabbi Matt, writing curriculum, facilitating torah study, and co-creating the Jewish history timeline that hung in the Beit Knesset for years. Though officially Rabbi in Residence, he showed up everywhere: on the court during Shabbat basketball, planning programs with the Judaics team, leading spirited services, and competing enthusiastically in the pin game. He later served as consultant and editor of the camp prayer book.

Camp Solomon Schechter remained Rabbi Matt’s lifelong home away from home – the place that ignited his greatest joy, and set him on a path to creating meaningful Jewish experiences for youth and families across North America.

After receiving ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2004, Rabbi Bellas built a distinguished career in Jewish education, serving at The Brandeis School in New York, Vancouver Talmud Torah in British Columbia, and the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Maryland. He was a visionary leader who fostered joyful, rigorous, and inclusive learning. His well-loved daily reminder was: “Ask a good question, learn something new, and be kind to everyone.”

His deep Jewish knowledge anchored his work, but his warmth and positivity made him unforgettable. Rabbi Matthew Bellas’ spirit lives on in the countless students, educators, institutions, and communities he touched, reminding us that intention, integrity, and heart are at the core of Jewish leadership.