The J hosted its annual meeting at the Jewish Community Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 29, celebrating The J’s people, places and programs before electing a new board slate for the 2024-25 year.
This year’s theme was “Building For Our Future,” which was reflected in the remarks made by many throughout the evening. Meeting Chair Alan Edelman kicked off the meeting highlighting that fact.
Building for our future “reflects the commitment to innovation, growth and sustainability as we look ahead to the exciting opportunities that lie before us,” Edelman said. “The unwavering commitment from members, donors and staff has propelled The J to unprecedented heights.”
KU Executive Director Ethan Helfand shared a d’var Torah before The J’s President and CEO Jim Sluyter thanked the past chairs, current Board Chair Michael Novicoff and The J’s staff before highlighting the investments made at The J over the past year.
Sluyter also announced officially that The J and Kansas City would be the host of the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games. The event will welcome close to 1,000 Jewish teens ages 13-17 to the area to compete against and connect with others from around the world.
“Please hear me loud and clear when I say that this is our community’s time to shine and to come together in a labor of love for our youth,” Sluyter said. “Yes, it will be a lot of work… but if we truly want to broaden our impact, investments like this are what we are called to do.”
Throughout the evening, multiple awards were distributed. The Encore and Arts and Culture teams were awarded the Program of the Year Award for “The Jewish Nutcracker.” The program, which will return to The White Theatre stage for its fourth year on Dec. 8, was developed by Encore Director Maggie Osgood Nicholls and Encore Coordinator Caroline Ivison.
The Do More Charity Challenge was awarded the Hesed Award, which demonstrates the value of showing loving kindness. The event, which is coordinated by Meshugge CrossFit locally, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the local community. Finally, Ben Hake was announced as this year’s Howard Jacobson Emerging Leader Award winner.
Howard Jacobson and his wife, Ro Jacobson, were honored with this year’s Lifetime Membership Award. Novicoff presented Donna Thalblum the Otzma Award for her work at The J for the last few years, volunteering her time and energy on the board, the KC SuperStar Committee and the recent rebrand of Heritage.
During the meeting portion of the evening, board members were sworn in for another year. These officers were Board Chair Michael Novicoff; First Vice-Chair Kurt Kavanaugh; Vice Chair of Fund Development Lisa Schifman; Vice-Chair of Leadership Development Rachel Rubin; treasurer Ben Hake; and secretary Sheryl Kaplan. The meeting portion was led by Diane Azorsky, the immediate past chair of the board.
In addition to electing a new board, two new board members were approved – Sarah Galler and Shannon Maker, each for three-year terms that expire in 2027. Board member Steve Feinstein was nominated to serve a second term, while Jacob Mooney and Jason Sokol were nominated to serve a third term.
Novicoff wrapped up the evening with his remarks about the last year and looking forward to the future. He also surprised Sluyter by recognizing him for 25 years working at The J.
“This is Jim,” Novicoff said, “a guy who revels being in the middle of things, who is the master of the big picture and of the details, a practical dreamer who gets things done, a humble guy with a big, big heart who isn’t a pushover. Jim has the characteristics of a mensch – responsibility fused with compassion, a sense that one’s own personal needs and desires are limited by the needs and desires of other people. A consummate professional whose love and commitment for The J is demonstrated every day… Let’s celebrate 25 years of a person that has made an incredible impact on our community and hope for 25 more to come.”
President and CEO of The J Jim Sluyter, Annual Meeting Chair Alan Edelman and Board Chair Michael Novicoff prepare for The J's Annual Meeting
President and CEO of The J Jim Sluyter and Board Chair Michael Novicoff present Donna Thalblum with the Otzma Award at The J's Annual Meeting.
