The Kansas City section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) recently installed its 2023-24 board of directors at an event where NCJW members and friends recognized the contributions of outstanding volunteers.
The local organization is now preparing to welcome new members who want to help support women and children in the Kansas City community.
Upcoming open house
Kansas Citians are invited to an NCJW Open House on Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the home of NCJW member Esther Stein. For details, those interested can contact the NCJW office at (913) 648-0747 and learn about NCJW programs and projects. NCJW actively supports and advocates for the needs of Kansas City women and children through numerous programs, including these 2022-23 efforts and more:
- During the school year, NCJW assembled and delivered 650 “Birthday Books” to underprivileged children.
- Suitcase to Start provided 12 suitcases to young people aging out of foster care or starting college.
- Stacey’s Closet provided more than 500 clothing items to 75 underprivileged students throughout the school year in four elementary schools.
- Thelma’s Kitchen volunteers prepared meals for hungry families.
- Volunteers assembled 40 “Baskets 4 Babies” with necessities for new mothers, delivered via Operation Breakthrough.
- Volunteers handed out more than 700 pieces of donated jewelry to underprivileged children at three local schools so they would have a gift for their mothers on Mother’s Day.
NCJW members also gather regularly for social events, including cohorts of empty nesters and retirees with common hobbies and interests. More information and membership information is available at kansascity.section.ncjw.org or by calling the office.
NCJW officers for 2023-24
The following officers were elected by NCJW for 2023-24: Carla Oppenheimer, president; Susan Kivett and Sheryl Stein, co-vice presidents for community service; Mirra Klausner and Nancy Maxwell, co-vice presidents for membership; Sharon Mallin and Lynn Schweig, co-vice presidents for fund development; Barbie Rogoff, treasurer; and Staci Kahn, secretary.
The new board of directors include Debbie Chase, Jannie Cubbage, Milisa Flekier, Valerie Gasser, Cherice Gerson, Jane Girson, Stephanie Herman, Kelly Somberg, and Linda Stark.
2023 award recipients
- Emerging Leader Award – Linda Stark
- Community Service Award – Kelly Somberg
- Beti Weber Moskovitz Tzedakah Award – Jill Shapiro
- Hannah G. Solomon Award – Milisa Flekier
- Outstanding Volunteers — Meg Adler, Heather Aronoff, Heidi Atlas, Barbara Cosner, Valerie Gasser, Ellen Dalen, Barbara Marcus, Ellen Portnoy, Jill Shapiro, Kelly Somberg, and Barbara Waldron
