As part of Jewish Family Services’ 120th anniversary celebration, the agency is highlighting families that have had a major impact on its success.
For the Sosland family, volunteering at Jewish Family Services (JFS) is a family matter.
Jane Sosland has been serving on JFS’s board of directors for the past few years and co-chairs the JFS Development and Marketing Committee. However, Jane is not the first Sosland family member to become involved with JFS.
For Jane’s sister-in-law — Debbie Sosland-Edelman — the JFS connection is deeply personal.
“I am partial to JFS and its JetExpress program because for many years I was a JetExpress driver,” Sosland-Edelman said. JFS’s JetExpress program offers help to older adults and others who need transportation for routine tasks such as shopping and visits to medical care providers.
“I got very close to the woman I drove every week, and when she died, it was hard for me to start again," Sosland-Edelman said, “but I plan to one of these days.”
Jane Sosland sees providing necessary humanitarian services with “compassion, integrity and skill” as a chief mission of JFS.
“I really like all the JFS programs, but the services for older adults are so critical to maintaining their independence and dignity,” she said. “In Judaism, one of the most important prayers in the High Holiday liturgy is the prayer that says ‘Al Tashlichaynu l’et zikna,’ which roughly translates to ‘Do not forsake us in our old age.’”
The Sosland family connection goes back even further than Jane Sosland and Debbie Sosland-Edelman – back to the 1940s and 1950s. Emilie Levin served for 35 years as JFS’s longest executive director and staff person. Levin was the companion of Sam Sosland, who was Sosland-Edelman, Josh Sosland, and David Sosland’s great uncle. Morton Sosland, Sosland-Edelman and Josh Sosland’s uncle, carried the ball as JFS’s board president from 1964 to 1967.
The Sosland family has been involved with JFS through the years by making donations, volunteering and serving on its board.
“I have referred individuals to JFS services, so in a way, I receive a service when JFS comes through for a colleague or friend,” Jane Sosland said.
“JFS has not only survived; it has blossomed into one of the most well-respected and finest social service agencies in our region. Reaching this 120th milestone is a huge accomplishment. Emilie would be so proud of JFS,” Jane Sosland continued. “You know, even if the Sosland family hadn’t had the connection to Emilie, we would have supported JFS for the essential human services the agency provides. Emilie’s vision, devotion, and spirit for humankind lives on through all of us – her Sosland family descendants, JFS staff, volunteers, and donors.”
Sosland family members to be honored include Jane and Josh Sosland, Debbie Sosland-Edelman and Alan Edelman, Blanche and Neil Sosland, Rachel and David Sosland, Jeanne and Charles Sosland; Meyer and Mindy Sosland; and (in memory) Morton and Estelle Sosland, Emilie Levin and Sam Sosland and Hymie and Vivian Sosland.
The Sosland family will be honored at the upcoming JFS 120th Celebration event on Thursday evening, Aug. 24, at the Marriott Overland Park. Sponsorships and individual tickets are available; those interested should please contact Debbie Bass, JFS chief development officer, at or visit jfskc.org/120 for more information.
