KU Hillel is excited to announce the election of Lon J. Lowenstein as board president for the 2021-2023 term. Lowenstein and his wife, Suzy, are parents to three KU graduates and eagerly support KU Hillel’s mission of developing the next generation of Jewish leaders.
Lowenstein has served on KU Hillel’s board for more than a decade, serving previously as vice president of budget and finance.
“As we transition into a new normal after a pandemic year, we look forward to Lon’s leadership to guide KU Hillel into the future,” said Suzy Sostrin, KU Hillel executive director. “This is an incredible opportunity for us and for our community. Lon is a phenomenal leader to guide our board.”
Lowenstein, a veteran of many boards throughout the Kansas City community, brings a passion for informal Jewish education.
Through leadership opportunities, Shabbat services, Jewish learning fellowships, and more, KU Hillel provides a wide variety of educational options for students. Hillel provides this in so many ways so Jayhawks can further and enjoy their Judaism during their college years and into adulthood, Lowenstein said.
“KU Hillel is an essential agency within our community because having a Jewish home away from home is so important for our college students,” he said. “I am honored to be part of shaping and ensuring the strength and growth of KU Hillel in our community.”
“I have a strong sense of duty to the community and our communal institutions, and this personal value continues in this new role,” Lowenstein continued.
KU Hillel also welcomes a new group of dedicated leaders.
Joining the board for two-year terms starting this year will be: Barry Glaser, from Minneapolis and grandparent to Sarah Glaser, now a graduate student at KU; Debbie Besser Kricsfeld, from Omaha, and parent of recent KU graduate Sam Kricsfeld and incoming freshman Rachel Kricsfeld; Kara Kahn, KU alumna; Ben Schenberg, KU alumnus; Jacob Barry, KU alumnus; and Simone Levy, KU alumna.
As an active student-leader at KU Hillel, Schenberg credits his time there as crucial for his development as a young professional. Schenberg served as a student board member as an undergraduate, where he often discussed important issues facing Jewish Jayhawks.
“It was so gratifying to have a voice for positive change and to consistently work toward bettering the Jewish community,” he said. “I want to take the skills I’ve learned and bring them back to the table to help promote growth and success in today’s KU Hillel.”
KU Hillel would also like to recognize the returning board members for their continued support and service. These board members include Brad Smuckler, incoming vice president of community engagement; Alicia Klein, incoming vice president of budget and finance; Stephanie Kavanaugh, incoming vice president of financial resource development; Scott Sher, incoming executive board member at large; Meg Adler, immediate past president; Jerry Gottlieb; Fred Kahn; Jeremy Krashin; Kerry Kuluva; Becca Levine; Megan Pener; and Susan Terman.
Terman is excited about continuing her time on board because KU Hillel “makes such a positive impact on the Jewish, and non-Jewish, students at KU.”
Her son Michael, who just graduated from KU, was involved at KU Hillel, too.
“He knew that support was available 24/7 and that he had the opportunity to participate in so many wonderful activities which could feed his mind, body and spirit,” Terman said. “I want that continuing for current and future KU students.”
