Welcome to karenkalish.com, my personal website.
I grew up in St. Louis, moved to DC in 1967, Chicago in 1978, back to DC in 1983, to Cambridge MA in 1999, back to St. Louis in 2001, then to Seattle in July 2022. I’m healthy and wanted to spend my next chapter near water and mountains in a blue city in an almost all-blue state. I love being near two of my five nephews and their families, some cousins, and longtime friends.
I bought a beautiful condo downtown near the Space Needle, the Chihuly Museum, and the Olympic Sculpture Park. I love city living – at first. I see Mt. Rainier (when it’s “out”) every morning and sunsets from my living room. But I’m not a condo person so am looking for a house. Please let me know if you’re anywhere near here – I have a guest room/bath that looks out over Puget Sound for you!
I have met 600+ since I moved here (cuz I say Yes to everything!) thanks to all of you who gave me names of your friends, colleagues, and relatives. (If you have anyone you think I would enjoy, and vice-versa, please e-intro us.) I love building community.
The Jewish Sound…
I’m so lucky to be healthy. In fact, I’m a super-ager! 80+ years with no diseases and my own joints and bones. I’m so fricking lucky.
About Me
Before moving to Seattle, I was a “serial social entrepreneur.” An entrepreneur starts things, “social” means “for the good of the community,” and “serial” means “more than one.” It means that when I see a problem I am passionate about solving, I roll up my sleeves, grab as many allies as I can, and get to work. The issues have focused on are literacy, closing the opportunity and academic achievement gaps for struggling students, and ending discrimination. I have started three non-profits and one program. And I can’t believe it, but I’m starting a FOURTH nonprofit – here in Seattle. In addition, I am lucky enough to have a donor-advised fund, which I started in 2000. Click here for my complete bio. Now, in Seattle, I’m a Connector and a Gatherer. I host Friendraisers for liberal, progressive, Democratic candidates, nonprofits and issues. I’ve had Amy Klobuchar, Gabby Giffords, and the new publisher of the Seattle Times to name a few.
My Donor-Advised Fund
Named after my wonderful grandmother and favorite person ever, Estelle Watelsky Kalish, The Estelle W. and Karen S. Kalish Foundation at the St. Louis Community Foundation. I suppors both local and national organizations in several areas: 1) literacy, closing the achievement gap, 2) leveling the playing field for minorities, especially African Americans, and issues of race; 3) the Jewish community; 4) NGOs in Israel where Israelis and Palestinians are working together, and 5) causes that my close friends care about.