On December 15, Jewish Community Foundation fundholders and friends gathered online to celebrate “The Power of Kindness” at the Foundation’s 62nd Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers and Trustees.
The event, which was chaired by Irv Belzer and Sue McCord-Belzer, included many touching tributes to outgoing president Alice Jacks Achtenberg who led the Foundation during the triumphs and challenges of the past three years with remarkable grace, intelligence, and compassion. Achtenberg’s successor as JCF’s President of the Board of Trustees is Frank Lipsman
Lipsman brings an impressive amount of experience to the position. He has served on the Foundation’s Board since 2008 and has been a vice president of the organization for the past eight years. Through his participation in various JCF committees and as past chair of the Community Legacy Fund Grants Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee, Lipsman has developed a well-rounded understanding of the Foundation’s work and its mission of promoting charitable giving which strengthens our community today and into the future.
His extensive volunteer experience within the Jewish community includes serving as past president of The J, the Jewish Heritage Foundation, and JCRB/AJC. Until July, Lipsman is also the president of Village Shalom. In the general community, he has served as chair of Gilda’s Club.
“Frank’s thoughtful style and keen intelligence are what has made him such a superb leader in our community,” said Achtenberg. “The Foundation is truly fortunate to have Frank as our next president.”
Lipsman is a distinguished professional who has practiced law in the Kansas City area since 1984. He has extensive experience as a litigator and now practices as a mediator, helping clients resolve disputes through active listening and thoughtful problem solving. Frank and his wife Janet, who serves as Vice President of Development for the Kauffman Center, have two grown children, Jacob and Danielle.
“It is my honor to follow in the footsteps of Alice Jacks Achtenberg, who proves the theory that those who put kindness first can be the best of leaders,” says Lipsman. “I feel privileged to serve as the board chair of the Foundation and deeply believe in its mission. We are entrusted with the privilege of inspiring philanthropy and showing the way to positively impact our community. Our Jewish Community Foundation is the common thread that binds each of us to the great work of our community agencies and organizations.”
In addition to Lipsman, the following officers were elected: Edward Goldstein, vice president; David Goodman, vice president; James Klein, vice president; Linda Lyon, vice president; Alana Muller, vice president; Robert Palan, treasurer; Lauren Mattleman Hoopes, secretary; and Helene Lotman, assistant secretary.
Elected to serve as members of the Board of Trustees were: Ace Allen; Carol Barnett; Louis Cohn; Sandi Fried; Michelle Goldsmith; Susan Himmelstein; James Klein; Pam Kanter; Linda Lyon; Rosanne Rosen; Robert Palan; and Catherine Singer.
A recording of the meeting can be viewed at jcfkc.org.
