The Kansas City section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) recently installed its 2024-25 board of directors and officers and recognized the contributions of several volunteers.
The organization is now preparing to welcome new members who want to help support women and children in the Kansas City community.
The new board of directors consists of Amy Both, Lainie Decker, Judith Evnen, Milisa Flekier, Reva Friedman, Jane Girson, Amy Goldstein, Stephanie Herman, Nancy Kalikow Maxwell, Lynn Schweig, Kelly Somberg and Stacie Turtledove.
The NCJW officers for 2023-24 are Carla Oppenheimer, president; Cathy Newman and Amanda Palan, co-vice presidents of fund development; Terri Miro and Sheryl Stein, co-vice presidents of community service; Jannie Cubbage and Mirra Klausner, co-vice presidents of membership; Michelle Fincher and Linda Stark, co-vice presidents of social; Neta Meltzer and Barbie Rogoff, co-treasurers; and Staci Kahn, secretary.
Awards were given to the following volunteers: Lynn Murray (Hannah G. Solomon Award), Sheryl Stein (Jennie Levitt Award), Susan Kivett (Community Service Award), Nancy Kalikow Maxwell (Emerging Leader Award) and Meg Adler (Service to the Section Award).
NCJW 2023-24 efforts
NCJW advocates for the needs of Kansas City women and children through numerous programs, including these 2023-24 efforts:
- During the school year, NCJW assembled and delivered 490 Birthday Books to underprivileged children.
- Suitcase to Start provided 16 suitcases to young people aging out of foster care or starting college.
- Stacey’s Closet provided more than 1,528 clothing items to 224 underprivileged students throughout the school year in four elementary schools.
- Thelma’s Kitchen volunteers prepared meals for hungry families.
- Volunteers assembled 120 “Baskets 4 Babies” with necessities for new mothers, delivered via Operation Breakthrough.
- Volunteers handed out more than 750 pieces of donated jewelry to underprivileged children at three local schools so they would have a gift for their mothers on Mother’s Day.
- Period Project distributed over 300 menstrual products to eight elementary, middle and high schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
- The Back to School Store provided clothing and school supplies to 400 children last July.
NCJW members also gather regularly for social events, including cohorts of empty nesters and retirees with common hobbies and interests. More information about NCJW and how to join is available at kansascity.section.ncjw.org or by calling (913) 648-0747.
