Most everyone has heard of Thomas Wolfe’s well-known book “You Can’t Go Home Again.” That may be the case for some, but not for Maayan Jaffe. Jaffe, raised in Leawood, has come home to be the first full-time director of philanthropy for the Jewish Community Center.
In her new role, Jaffe is partnering with the CEO and board of directors to systemize and grow the JCC’s annual, capital and sponsorship campaign, while enhancing donor development and recognition, special events and legacy campaign activities.
“We’re pleased to add Maayan to the JCC’s staff of experienced and energized professionals,” said Ken Sigman, JCC’s chairman of the board. “Maayan’s experience in the fundraising arena is another important component in ensuring our Jewish Community Center will continue to provide wellness, meaning and joy now and into the future.”
Jaffe comes to the Jewish Community Center with nearly two decades of experience in the fields of marketing and communications, journalism and nonprofit programming and management. Most recently, she served as editor-in-chief and director of marketing for Clipper City Media (Baltimore Jewish Times) and WJW Media Group.
Jaffe served as managing editor of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, breaking news editor of the Jerusalem Post, marketing account executive at Kvutzat Koteret, a Tel Aviv PR firm focused on the high-tech arena, capital campaign consultant for Talmudical Academy, and as marketing and communications manager at The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.
Jaffe received her bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and her master’s degree from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
The JCC will use Jaffe’s skills to provide overall strategic direction for the fundraising functions and priorities of the agency, and professionalize and systemize the agency’s fundraising functions to be more responsive, effective and efficient.
“I see the JCC as a builder of Jewish identity and as the agency best poised to bring Jewish life, values and culture to the broader Kansas City Jewish community,” said Jaffe. “I am looking forward to partnering with our vice chair of development, Robin Sterneck, to form fundraising and other committees, to maximize the participation of lay leaders and solicitors in the JCC and ensure its future sustainability.”
Jaffe, her husband Yitzchak and their four children — Shlomo, Netanya, Devarya and Shai Hadar — have settled in Overland Park. Jaffe is the daughter of Sharon and Stuart Pase; she has a sister Rachel Sosland and brothers, Adam and Josh Pase. She is the granddaughter of Gertrude and the late Sam Epstein.
