“Who is honored? He who honors mankind.” ( Pikei Avot 4:1)
Howard T Jacobson is such a man.
Jacobson’s years of volunteering in the Kansas City community are extensive. Over the years he has volunteered or served on the boards of over 40 organizations. Although he has supported these many organizations with his time and money, there is one organization that holds a special place in his heart: the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City (The J) and its continental affiliate the Jewish Community Center Association of North America.
As a board member of the local J for more than 33 years, Jacobson served in many positions including president from 1993-95. While president, he was asked to serve on the JCC Association board. This was a position he was glad to accept because not many people from Kansas City have been presented this opportunity.
He is honored to be a part of the JCC Association organization, because of the work it does.
“The most important aspect is that it helps strengthen the Jewish community across North America and gives our members a sense of identity,” said Jacobson, who served on the board from 1994-2000 and again from 2009 to the present.
Two years ago, in 2016, Jacobson took on a larger role with the JCC Association board when he became the vice chair after serving on the executive committee for four years. He recently was re-elected for another two-year term that he will complete in May of 2020.
“Howard brings great wisdom to his work with JCC Association. He has extended me every courtesy and kindness as I have settled into my role as president and CEO. I have come to see him as a source of wisdom and insight on a host of matters relating to our unfolding agenda,” said Doron Krakow, president and CEO of JCC Association. “Perhaps more importantly, Howard is a mensch. He is a valued mentor and I am honored to count him as my partner.”
Jacobson is the first member of the Kansas City community to serve as an officer of the JCC Association.
“The J is very lucky to have such a passionate and effective leader associated with their organization, and his involvement at the national level with the JCC Association will only propel the JCC movement forward,” said Jim Sluyter, CEO and president of the local J.
Why the love for Jewish community centers over all other organizations? For Jacobson, it is a lifetime of love and a strong family connection that started when he was a 5-year-old camper at the Jewish Community Center when it was located on Linwood Boulevard. As a teenager, it was through The J that he became associated with BBYO.
“This was defining moment for me,” he said about BBYO.” It is where I learned to be a leader.”
With Jack Farb as his adviser in AZA 621, Jacobson was chapter president (gadol), then regional president for MoKan Region, even serving on the district executive committee for two years.
“I learned so much about leadership, and I met people I still know today who work for other organizations,” he added.
Jacobson began his long tenure on the JCC board when it was located on 83rd and Holmes. He was part of the closing of that building and the eventual move to the current location in the Jewish Community Campus.
His joy in JCC comes from knowing he is helping so many people daily.
“It serves everyone in the community from almost birth to people 100 years or older. The entire spectrum,” he said. “It is important to me to help everyone. And it touches so many lives. Additionally, for people who do not belong to a congregation, this is their one strong link to the Jewish community.”
His love of community is noticed by many.
“First and foremost, Howard is a community guy. He has been involved either as a volunteer or board member for so many different organizations. At the end of day, Howard wants what is best for the community as a whole,” The J’s Sluyter said.
Jacobson’s family has a long history of serving the community, so it is not unexpected that he would also become a leading volunteer. He has been president of many local organizations including the Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Campus and the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Foundation Board. Besides the Jewish community, he is also committed to organizations in the general community, with a focus on the Starlight Theater Association and Friends of the Zoo, two organizations that his in laws, Jeannette and Jerry Cohen, helped to found. The Heart of America Council — Boy Scouts of America has also benefited from Jacobson’s help.
Education is another area of importance to Jacobson. Over the years he has helped the local Boy Scouts develop its college scholarship program for camp counselors. He has also helped provide college scholarships to students in small towns and throughout the community. Over 150 scholarships can be traced back to him, his family and his businesses.
Jacobson’s work on the boards of these organizations is a result of his warm affection for people.
“I have a hard time saying no,” he said with a smile.
It is difficult for him to say no because many times the ask comes from a younger volunteer, someone who Jacobson has mentored along the way.
“I have mentored many young adults who then became leaders in different organizations, and my response when they ask for help on their boards is almost always yes,” he added.
The J’s Sluyter added, “Howard has always acted as a mentor for new board members and new board chairs. It has been extremely valuable for both our board and staff leadership to be able to count on Howard for sage advice when needed.”
When his service to a board of directors concludes, Jacobson tries to stay involved with the organization. All this volunteering goes on even as he works at Paragon Capital Management LLC, a company he helped found. Currently he is a principal in the firm.
But the truth behind his love of the Jewish Community Center is his family. His wife Ro, of 54 years; his children, Sherry and Jon Jacobs and Richard and Ali Jacobson; and his six grandchildren.
“One day,” he said, “Ro was exercising; her mom was in the senior lounge. As Ro walked down a hallway she saw our daughter, grandchildren and daughter-in-law. They ended up having lunch together: four generations! It was a gathering place for the family!”
For Jacobson, The J represents a place for all families. In particular, he is proud to be part of the tradition of giving and serving in his family.