Jewish Family Services (JFS) has named Noah Slabotsky of Overland Park, Kansas, its June Volunteer of the Month.
Previously a Blue Valley North High School basketball and tennis player (and, according to him, a “mediocre” drummer with his guitarist brother Danny), Slabotsky now works as a certified public accountant, participates in and watches sports, and spends time with his wife.
Slabotsky also gives his time and energy volunteering for JFS. He has served as a JFS board member, and his latest volunteer role was playing emcee for JFS’ Wipe Out Open House. With the nickname MC Hebrew Hammer, Slabotsky has also been the emcee for JFS’ Trivia Bash for the past few years.
Slabotsky credits his father, Scott Slabotsky, as his role model for learning the importance of giving back to the community.
"I can’t even think of a time when he wasn’t heavily involved in the community," Noah Slabotsky said. “From fundraising to volunteering to lending his acting talents to The White Theatre, he’s been an incredible role model to me on how to give back.”
Slabotsky’s involvement with JFS started after Executive Director Don Goldman asked him to serve on the agency’s finance committee.
“He knew I was a CPA and thought it might be a great fit,” Slabotsky said. “What Don didn’t know is that I only lasted in the accounting world for two years and vowed to put financial statements behind me.”
Slabotsky met Goldman for coffee anyway to learn more about JFS.
“After hearing about the myriad of ways JFS helps people, I was hooked and asked if I could have a seat on the board with absolutely zero finance committee responsibilities," Slabotsky said. He proceeded to join the board and get involved with various activities.
“JFS serves more than 10,000 people per year. That is a lot of people who rely on JFS for specific services that may not be available elsewhere,” Slabotsky said. “I’ve attended multiple events where actual people who utilize JFS services speak and share how grateful they are. It’s deeply moving to hear their stories and validates the importance of JFS.”
Slabotsky has been involved with many things at JFS, but his favorite to date has been its Trivia Bash.
"This is an event that a team of us created almost eight years ago and is still going strong today," Slabotsky said. “It brings about 150 people together for a night of entertainment and opportunity to learn how to get more involved with JFS.”
Although Trivia Bash has been on hiatus during COVID, Slabotsky and others hope it will return soon.
"Noah has been the emcee ever since the beginning of Trivia Bash, always bringing enthusiasm, fun and passion for JFS and engaging so many people in the important work of JFS,” said Taly Friedman, JFS Director of Corporate Partnerships, who has worked closely with Slabotsky. “We were so fortunate to have Noah be the Open House emcee, too, where he kept people entertained with his toilet paper jokes while also educating them about JFS.”
Today, Noah Slabotsky is in business with his dad in the Slabotsky Family Office, “which allows us to have fun investing together in property all over the Midwest,” he said.
When he’s not working or volunteering, Slabotsky loves to travel with his wife, Rachel.
"Some of our favorite places are Greece, Thailand, Vietnam, and most recently Finland – the Northern Lights are insane," he said. Recently, Slabotsky has taken up pickleball and occasionally plays in local leagues and tournaments.
Slabotsky encourages others to consider volunteering for JFS in some capacity.
“It’s super rewarding. The people are great, and there’s a variety of different programs to pique your interest,” Slabotsky said. "After volunteering just once, I can guarantee you’ll be hooked.”
Those interested in joining Slabotsky as a JFS volunteer can email or go to jfskc.org/volunteer for the latest opportunities.
