Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City will honor community members at its 2024 annual meeting, which will also feature speakers including the University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas A. Girod; Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager Brian Platt; and Overland Park, Kansas, Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Simon Happer.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the BEST Conference Center on the KU Edwards Campus (12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park, KS 66213).
Girod, Platt and Happer will participate in a moderated discussion about antisemitism and keeping Kansas City and local universities safe while maintaining welcoming spaces for Jews.
Several individuals in the community will also be recognized for their contributions and commitment to supporting the Kansas City Jewish community.
Merilyn Berenbom.
Merilyn Berenbom will be honored at the annual meeting for her leadership and dedication to the Jewish community. She will be presented the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award, an award given to women who exemplify the spirit of a Lion of Judah with years of involvement, commitment, leadership, inspiration, impact and generosity.
“Merilyn Berenbom is known as the kindest and most caring leader acrossour community — her involvement is widespread, her reputation is flawless and she has inspired countless others to both take action and lead themselves,” said Derek Gale, Federation Vice President & COO. “She is a model for the entire community, including the youngest generation and generations still to come.”
Merilyn Berenbom is the mother to three children, Michael Berenbom, Annie Wishna and Katie Berger. All three remain involved with their Jewish communities and Federations. Merilyn Berenbom is a past president of Federation, served as a former Federation annual campaign co-chair, is a longtime Lion of Judah and a life member of the Jewish Community Foundation board of trustees.
“After returning to Kansas City over 40 years ago, my first Federation meeting featured the amazing Bronia Roslawowski,” she said. “Having survived the horrors of the Holocaust, she embraced everyone around her with joy and love… always. How Bronia lived her life has been an incomparable motivator.
“We are responsible one for the other, from generation to generation and onward,” Berenbom continued. “We need the example of Bronia’s generosity of spirit now more than ever. Working in the Jewish community has been an incredible journey full of learning, growth, friendships and the promise of possibilities.”
Michael, Adam, Eliana, Mae and Mollie Berenbom.
Michael and Mollie Berenbom will receive the Dan Fingersh Young Leadership Award. The honor is awarded each year to volunteers under the age of 45 who have shown impactful leadership in the Jewish community and Jewish Federation.
“We grew up in families where tzedakah was a cornerstone of Jewish identity,” Mollie Berenbom said. “Our institutions are where we experience the continuity of the Jewish people and our community in Kansas City. It is a responsibility to give back to a community that has given us so much.”
Mollie is a current Federation board member, active annual campaign ambassador and the incoming Israel and Overseas Committee chair for 2025-2026. She is a Jewish Federations of North American National Young Leadership Cabinet Member, serves as a board member for Herzl Camp and was the former co-chair of the Breaking Bread Fundraising Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom.
“Mollie is an outstanding example of someone whose strong Jewish identity moves her to take on leadership roles locally and beyond,” said Gale, who has known her since they were teenagers at Herzl Camp. “Through the years she has willingly and repeatedly stepped up and has grown in her confidence and her willingness to ask others to show up, participate and be generous to help the Jewish community. We are fortunate that Mollie has chosen to focus so much of her time and energy on behalf of Jewish Federation.”
Michael Berenbom is a current Menorah Heritage Foundation Board Member. He is a former Jewish Community Campus board member and has been heavily involved in Federation for years. He has been the Ben Gurion Society co-chair, an annual campaign ambassador and a Jewish Real Estate Professionals co-chair. He also served as a co-chair of the Breaking Bread Fundraising Dinner at Congregation Beth Shalom.
“Growing up in the Kansas City Jewish community, Mike had Jewish leadership modeled for him by his mother and grandmother, and upon his return to Kansas City, stepped into leadership himself,” Gale said. “He helped reinvigorate the then-dormant Ben Gurion Society of young philanthropists and helped create the Jewish Real Estate Professionals affinity group, all while serving on other Jewish boards and taking an active role in his congregation. He also intentionally makes room for his wife and partner, Mollie, to be her own leader in the community — from which we all benefit and for which we are truly grateful.”
Victor Wishna (left) and Keith Wiedenkeller will be honored for the “Tree of Life” play.
Federation’s Program of the Year has been awarded to The New Work Initiative’s “Tree of Life” play, which debuted at The White Theatre at The J. The award will be accepted by Keith Wiedenkeller, director of arts and culture at The J, and Victor Wishna, the playwright.
Marcia Rittmaster
The Educator of the Year award will be given to Marcia Rittmaster, former director of the Weiner Religious School at Congregation Beth Torah.
Federation’s Annual Meeting is free to attend and open to the entire community. Registration is available at jewishkansascity.org/annualmeeting2024.
