In 1933, the Kansas City Section of National Council of Jewish Women awarded the first Liberman Scholarships for high school students going to college in the fall.
Since then, almost 1,000 students in the Kansas City Metro area have received scholarships from money from hundreds of donors.
At the Kansas City Section, the scholarship committee is active and helping high school students afford college. The scholarship is based on academic achievement and financial need. Students used to receive small stipends, but today can receive between $500 and $2,000 a year for four years of college as long as they maintain good grades, carry at least 12 credits each semester and still have financial need. Eligible students must attend high schools in the metro Kansas City area and can be of any religion, ethnicity, gender or race.
There has been a long line of volunteers who have chaired the scholarship committee or served on the committee.
“When I started, Betty Joe Marder was the committee chair,” said Ellen Portnoy, current committee chair. “I then served under Ro Jacobson, who was the one to determine that I should take over the committee about 10 years ago. I know that Serena Lorsch, Marjorie Vogel and Millie Krasne all served as committee chairs.”
Today, 14 women, including Portnoy, serve on the committee. Sonny Singer, Ro Jacobson and Jane Duggan are the longest-term members. Other members are Carla Oppenheimer, Joan Jacobson, Naomi Kaufman, Bonnie Buchbinder, Lynn Murray, Berenice Haberman, Laura Gilman, Jessica Shea and Judie Becker.
This year, the scholarship committee just finished interviewing five applicants. Four will be receiving scholarships of $500 to $1,100 each. The committee is continuing to support eight students from previous years.
Anyone interested in joining the scholarship committee or donating money to help continue this 90-year tradition should contact the NCJW office at (913) 648-0747 or visit kansascity.section.ncjw.org/programs/ncjw-scholarships.