Some 50 years ago, before Facebook and Twitter, there was Women’s Division.
“My mom encouraged me to get involved,” recalls Bari Freiden, who will accept the Women’s Division president’s gavel and present the keynote, “Women’s Strength: The Power to Inspire,” at a dessert reception for the Women’s Division Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Oakwood Country Club.
The Social Network
“I grew up in Kansas City but had been away for a long time,” Freiden said. “Women’s Division was a social thing — a way to network, meet new people and get involved in something worthwhile. It still is today.”
Then, as many women do today, Freiden started out by participating in a young leadership group where she learned what the Jewish Federation does locally, nationally and internationally.
“I was working all the time, so I had to pick and choose what I did,” said Freiden. “But I always worked on the annual campaign and Super Sunday.”
Freiden also served twice as the chair of the Federation’s Lion of Judah Division, comprising women who pledge an annual gift to the Federation of $5,000 or more. In 2000, she and her husband, Dr. Floyd Freiden, traveled on a Joint Distribution Committee mission to the Federation’s sister communities in Romania and Bulgaria.
“To see and touch the people we help touched me more than I can express,” she said.
Since then, she’s been on JDC trips to Tunisia and Cuba and this September is going to Paris to meet with the Jewish community there. Her interest abroad also led her to serve on the Israel and Overseas Committee, which helps decide how gifts to the Jewish Federation are distributed to Romania, Bulgaria and Israel.
“Not everybody can go abroad,” said Freiden, “but there’s plenty of opportunity to do things here.”
And that’s the message Freiden hopes to transmit by sharing the story of how her mother, Frances Wang Gershon, inspired her and other family members to continue the legacy of Jewish philanthropy.
Sweets & Stories
Freiden plans to make intergenerational philanthropy the focus of her presidency. She’s excited about a program planned in conjunction with the Jewish Community Foundation for Oct. 30, the G3 Summit: Girls (of all ages) Guide to Giving. The G3 Summit was created to empower women — at all ages and stages of life — to make a difference in the community.
The intergenerational theme will be underscored by the Annual Meeting’s mother and daughter co-chairs, Michele Kaplan, who is Freiden’s first cousin, and Kaplan’s daughter, Beth Kaplan Liss.
“As women we have the power to be leaders in the community and really make a difference,” said Liss. “Our goal for this event is for people to leave thinking about what inspires them and how they want to be involved.”
And, of course, to enjoy the social network.
“Women like time to visit, catch up with friends and meet new people,” said Liss. “So instead of a meal and a huge slice of cake, we’re planning a bunch of really fun, delicious desserts that everyone can easily nibble on while talking to each other.”
Incoming officers are Bari Freiden, president; Lisa Bernard and Trudy Jacobson, campaign vice presidents; Debbie Trenton, communications vice president; Melanie Allmayer and Cindy Bodker, community relations vice presidents; Jessica Rudnick-Kaseff and Tamara Lawson Schuster, education vice presidents; Sara Gonsher and Kristin Schultz, leadership vice presidents; and Sarah Beren, immediate past president.
New board members include Robin Abramowitz, Diane Davidner, Milisa Flekier, Janet Gershon, Deborah Gill, Rabbi Vered Harris, Pam Kanter, Stephanie Kavanaugh, Robin Levine, Erin Margolin, Mindy Parmet, Roberta Pollack, Ellen Portnoy, Anne Scharf, Amy Shapiro, Debbie Sosland-Edelman and Lynda Youngblade.
The cost of the event is $15 and includes a Vaad-supervised dessert reception.
RSVPs may be made by April 15 at www.jewishkansascity.org; or contact Nicole Feldman at (913) 327-8111 or .