The Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) recently hired two new staff members to join its accounting team.
At the end of June, JCF welcomed Jeff Udell as its new accounting professional. In this role, Udell processes donations, assists with the database and special projects and supports overall accounting operations. This new position was created as the Foundation has grown to help continue providing the highest quality of service to its fundholders.
Udell is a Kansas City native and active member of the Jewish community. He has a background in accounting operations, team leadership and process improvement across both hospitality and software-as-a-service startups. He and his wife, Farrah, have two children.
"I am excited to join the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City because it plays an important role in supporting the Jewish community and a wide range of philanthropic efforts," Udell said. "The opportunity to help individuals and families give to the causes they care most about is incredibly meaningful and rewarding."
To succeed Roberta Goller, who will retire this month after nearly 21 years of dedicated service to the Foundation, Leiba Estrin was hired in July as JCF’s new grants manager. She is responsible for processing grants and supporting fundholders. Estrin recently relocated to the area from Florida through the Jewish Federation's SeeKC program. She and her husband, Srulie, were looking for a welcoming place in which to raise their two children and were impressed by Kansas City's vibrant Jewish community.
Estrin's professional background includes marketing and communications, with a primary focus on nonprofit organizations. She has worked extensively in community building and advocacy efforts to support Jewish causes.
"Supporting people in their philanthropic endeavors is extremely meaningful to me as the impact is far-reaching and can be felt right away," Estrin said. "My goal as JCF grants manager is to make a difference for both donors and recipients, to make sure they realize the extent that they are partnering to grow the Jewish community and secure its future."
The Foundation encourages the community to stop by its office in Suite 104 of the Jewish Community Campus to say hello and get to know Udell and Estrin.