Neil and Blanche Sosland were among a small group of parents who had the foresight to establish HBHA 50 years ago. Now the school is honoring them with its prestigious Civic Service Award for their commitment and devotion over half a century to the institution. The Soslands will be formally recognized for their efforts at the school’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on Monday, April 11, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
“Blanche and Neil took it upon themselves to fill a void in the Jewish community and have brought us to today’s remarkable milestone through their vision, guidance and generosity,” said Pella Fingersh, who is co-chairing the celebration with Marcia Karbank. “That decision changed the Jewish landscape in Kansas City. It impacted not only our children and grandchildren but will continue to have an effect throughout the next generations.”
Fifty years later, HBHA educates approximately 230 students each year, and is recognized for its excellent dual curriculum education.
“Today, we have 50 alumni parents who send their children to HBHA. I think that speaks volumes about the role the school plays in helping sustain a vibrant Jewish community in Kansas City,” said Howard Haas, head of school at HBHA.
Over the years, the Soslands supported the school in numerous ways. Neil Sosland succeeded Carl Puritz as the third president of the school, and daughter Debbie Sosland-Edelman also is a past president. Sons Josh and David Sosland have been active members of the school’s board of trustees.
Along the way, Blanche and Neil Sosland also built memories of HBHA through both their children and grandchildren. They enjoy visiting the school for special grandparent occasions with their four grandchildren who currently attend HBHA.
The Sosland children are also proud of the important role their parents played through HBHA’s life.
“Now that I am on the board and actively involved in our daughters’ Jewish day school in Newton, Massachusetts, I have a much greater appreciation for the vision and dedication that my parents and the other HBHA founders had more than 50 years ago,” Abby Sosland said. “I remember thinking as a child that my parents talked about the school pretty much all the time. Only now can I fully understand how all-consuming an effort it was for them to be a part of the creation of a Jewish day school.”
“Having a Jewish day school education has shaped who I am as a person overall but I see its greatest impact on me as a parent and in the choices we make in how to raise our children,” she said.
“My wife Mindy and I have been very involved with the Jewish Primary Day School (JPDS) in Washington, D.C.,” said son Jeffrey Sosland. “This is just one instance of how we have followed my parents’ example.”
David Sosland and his wife Dr. Rachel Pase Sosland are both HBHA grads whose children now attend HBHA.
“My parents put so much into HBHA and we are all the beneficiaries of their hard work and dedication,” said David.
He constantly sees his parents’ vision throughout the school.
“When they helped start the school, their goal was to create an educational foundation that made us Jewishly literate, but also enabled us to love our traditions and heritage, and provide us with critical thinking skills to be successful in the world at large,” David said.
“When I look at the core values of the school … a strong academic foundation, individualized attention, and a loving Jewish community that cherishes our children, I believe their vision has held strong these last 50 years. As we still have one child yet to begin HBHA, I look forward to seeing this vision continue on as HBHA embarks on its next 50 years.”
Friends agree that the Soslands made a lasting impact through their HBHA involvement.
“No two people are more deserving of this honor than our good friends Neil and Blanche,” said Kenneth and Ann Baum. “They were involved in the creation of Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and the support of the school in every way possible, including sending their children there and now their grandchildren.”
“I have been a close friend of Neil’s since childhood,” Kenneth Baum continued. “His personal commitment to family, to Judaism and to our community is inspiring to us and to the entire Kansas City community.”
“The Soslands and other founding parents of HBHA laid the foundation that remains with us today,” said Haas. “As our school grows and re-imagines itself, we remain committed to creating Jewish leaders of tomorrow.”
Civic Service Award Celebration details
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy will celebrate 50 years at the upcoming Civic Service Award 50th Anniversary Celebration, Monday, April 11, at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The event honors Civic Service Award recipients Blanche and Neil Sosland, features a special performance by Music Director Michael Stern and the Kansas City Symphony, a Vaad supervised menu by Chef Lon Lane of Inspired Occasions and decor by floral/event designer Dan Meiners. The evening, co-chaired by Marcia Karbank and Pella Fingersh, will commemorate all HBHA has accomplished in the last 50 years, and will look ahead to continuing its success as a school in the next 50 years.
For more information about the evening, go to www.hbha.edu, and click on the 50th Anniversary logo or contact Kerry Cosner, director of development at HBHA at , 913-327-8156.
