When Karen Pack was 7 years old, she remembers watching her grandmother pack clothing, sugar, chocolate and coffee for relatives who had left Europe for the fledging State of Israel.
{mprestriction ids="1"}Her grandmother, Regina Braun, and her parents — Fred and Maria Devinki — had all survived the Holocaust.
Last month the child of that legacy of community volunteerism and charitable giving — Karen Pack — was the recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson-Friedland Award, the highest honor bestowed by National Women’s Philanthropy. The award was presented at last month’s Lion of Judah conference in New York City. Only 72 women nationally were chosen this year, which "honors extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism. Winners are chosen by peers as ‘women of valor’ with a lifetime of commitment to the Jewish world."
"I’m honored to be one of them," says Pack, whose mother received this award in 2008. "I brought Mom’s picture with me. I’m so proud to follow in her footsteps."
Although Fred and Maria, of blessed memory, are gone, they would be kvelling at their daughter’s accomplishments —serving on the Young Leadership Cabinet of United Jewish Appeal, National Women’s Philanthropy and now its advisory board, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, a trustee of the Jewish Federations of North America, and the International Board of Governors for the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI).
"As a young mom, I volunteered for several Jewish women’s groups," she says, "but after attending young leadership meetings in Women’s Philanthropy, I knew I had found a home. It was the best place I could help my larger Jewish family, wherever they lived. As a child of survivors, that was important."
Debbie Granoff, who was incoming Women’s Philanthropy chair, saw Pack’s passion and commitment, and asked her to co-chair the Women’s Campaign.
"I was so excited," Pack recalls. "Debbie was an amazing role model."
Seeing the work Pack had accomplished in Women’s Philanthropy here and on the national level, then Federation Executive Director Bob Gast recommended her for the board of the local Jewish Federation.
"There weren’t that many women on the board, but Bob was passionate about cultivating young leaders. He invested in Jewish leadership; many of our leaders today, including me, are the beneficiaries."
In 2005, Pack became president of the Federation.
"It was an incredible experience I will never forget. Shari Stimetz and I had worked together for years. Her friendship and professionalism ensured that my presidency was a success."
The following year, Pack chaired the Jewish Federation’s 75th anniversary, which drew 1,200 to the celebration.
"I had seen what the LA Federation had achieved using their symphony, so when Debbie Sosland-Edelman agreed to co-chair the event, I knew it would be a success."
"Karen has this passion for our people that influences everything she does," says Bev Jacobson, recently retired Women’s Philanthropy Director. "Her family history, her ability to get things done — as my Lion of Judah chair, the Federation president, our 75th anniversary chair, and now JAFI she was an obvious choice to win this prestigious award."
Pack has racked up thousands of miles, all because of her passion for the Jewish people. After the Israel Emergency Campaign in 2007, she and Jewish Federation President & CEO Todd Stettner were asked to join 10 others from around the country to evaluate programs and projects in Israel.
"Todd and I traveled for four long days," she says, "visiting hospitals, restored bomb shelters, schools, homes for the elderly, and absorption centers. We also met community leaders, trauma victims, social workers — people at every level working to put Israelis’ lives back together with dignity."
She says the hours spent by lay leaders and professionals to oversee how and where funds are spent are much more extensive than the community realizes.
"It’s critical work," Pack adds, "and I am proud of serving with so many incredible individuals. Our staff and volunteers give so much more than time and dollars — they give their hearts to our mission of tikkun olam."
Karen also spoke of the joys and blessings she has experienced in the 36 years of volunteering for the Jewish Federation.
"While flying from Poland to Israel with new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, I thought what if this had been possible 70 years ago."
Pack has stood on the tarmac welcoming families from Ethiopia. And with the help of the Jewish Agency and its partners, she has watched these children be inducted into the Israel Defense Forces and graduate from Hebrew University.
"Their prayers are now a reality."
There remain challenges facing Israel, but forums seeking solutions have inspired Pack. She has met such luminaries as former Prime Ministers Yitzchak Shamir and Ehud Olmert, current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former President Shimon Peres, former refusenik and head of JAFI Natan Sharansky, and members of Knesset.
"What a privilege!" she says.
This leader’s inspiration and modeling came from her parents. But why is Pack still involved? She answers with this story:
"Once on a Federation mission with my teacher Alan Edelman and my mentor Debbie Granoff, we stopped at an adult daycare center, mostly elderly Holocaust survivors, where I heard a woman speaking Yiddish," Pack recalls. "She took my hand and told me to please thank my community for giving her a wonderful place to come every day for a warm meal and to be cared for. I was the one, however, who felt grateful for this heartfelt moment. That was validation — what we do and what we give does make a difference."
Pack credits her husband Steve with supporting her involvement, as well as the understanding of her sons, Zachary, David and Ethan.
"I couldn’t have done it without them."
Now she gets to see them volunteering and making their own gifts.
"Giving to others is the best gift we can give to ourselves. How blessed I feel to be able to do just that."{/mprestriction}