The Jewish Federation of Kansas City will recognize outstanding community volunteers, leaders and programs at its 2026 Annual Celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at Hallbrook Country Club in Leawood.
The annual event will honor people and programs that have made significant contributions to Jewish life in Kansas City while celebrating Federation's accomplishments throughout 2026, from community engagement to financial allocations.
Federation's Program of the Year Award will recognize the JCC Maccabi Games Kansas City, honoring the volunteers, staff members, host families and broad community involvement that helped make the games possible this August.
Beth Liss will receive the Lion of Judah Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, presented every two years to a Lion of Judah who demonstrates exceptional leadership, generosity and commitment to Jewish life.
Federation will also recognize its five 2026 Women of Strength honorees: Alice Jacks Achtenberg, Kara Kahn Bush, Barbie Rogoff, Hilary Cohen Singer and Carly Stein.
The recipients of Federation's Educator of the Year Award and Dan Fingersh Young Leadership Award will be announced during the Nov. 17 event.
Before the Annual Celebration, volunteers currently serving on Federation's committees or board of directors are invited to attend a special Volunteer Leadership Reception at 5:30 p.m. honoring their contributions to the organization.
Following the celebration, members of Federation's Young Adults Division, ages 21 to 45, are invited to a "reverse happy hour" at 8:30 p.m. on the patio of Hallbrook Country Club.
All food served at the event will be prepared under VAAD supervision.
The Annual Celebration is free and open to all members of the Kansas City Jewish community. RSVPs are requested by Monday, Nov. 9. To register, visit JewishKansasCity.org/Events/AC-2026.