Elaine J. Savinar

Avivah Elaine Jaffe was born in Vancouver B.C. March 31, 1928 to parents Julius B. Jaffe & Augusta Stusser Jaffe, immigrants from Latvia & Lithuania. Elaine grew up in Vancouver B.C. and during World War II moved to Seattle, WA where she attended high school and college. At the University of Washington, Elaine met Robert P. Weil from Hillsboro, OR.  After graduation in 1949, Elaine married Robert and moved to Hillsboro. She raised 3 daughters, Sharon, Marlene and Dana.

Elaine was always active and contributed to her synagogue, Temple Beth Israel. Through the Sisterhood program she was involved in the yearly rummage fundraiser sale and highly involved in the Blind Program which helped raise money for Braille books. Pat Nixon came and visited because of this special program for the blind.

In 1963, Elaine participated on the capital campaign committee to raise money for the building May Apartments which is now located on the Cedar Sinai Campus. These apartments are for independent living and are located near the Robison Jewish Home. During this time, she also served as co-chair on the capital campaign committee to build Goodman Hall, Pollin Chapel and the administrative offices at Temple Beth Israel.

Elaine was on the Board of Jewish Federation of Portland 1972 – 1975. In 1974, Elaine traveled on a mission to Poland, Rumania and Israel with the National Women’s Division Board and she was a member of this national board in 1975 and 1976. In 1997, Elaine was asked to participate on the Portland Women’s Division board. In 1999, she co-chaired Connections with her daughters, Sharon Weil and Dana Hunt.

Elaine was a contributing member of the Jewish Family and Child Service Board, serving for 8 years and presiding as president in 1977-1979. During those years she was active in the Homemakers Services which helped settle Russian immigrants into apartments in our community. 

Throughout her lifetime she continues to support these organizations as well as the American Cancer Society. She is currently the president of the Magnolia Investment Club. She is active in the Friendly Rosenthal Foundation of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation which allocates funds each year. She was a member and program chair on the Reed College Women’s Lecture series to raise scholarship money.  In 1975, Elaine traveled to Portland’s Sister City, Sapporo, Japan as an emissary with the Mayor’s Office. Elaine joined her daughter Sharon Weil in 1991 and 1992 to jury “Designed to Wear”, a fashion show of wearable art to benefit the Oregon School of Arts and Craft. 

Elaine J. Savinar inspires her family and friends. Through her volunteer work, endeavors, dedication and many accomplishments, our community is enhanced by her many years of involvement. She is truly a most remarkable woman who still strives each day to make the world a better place for future generations.