Thank you for making Bright Night an evening to remember!
View the Bright Night event program HERE.
ALFRED BENJAMIN FRIEND OF THE FAMILY
AWARD HONOREE
This special JFS award traces its roots to Alfred Benjamin, co-founder of JFS and second President of the Board of Directors (1904 – 1923). Alfred Benjamin was an extraordinary humanitarian and visionary and his award is dedicated to those whose accomplishments exemplify his compassion, interest in humanity, and commitment to improving the quality of life for others.
Kelly Somberg, recipient of JFS’s 2024 Alfred Benjamin Award, has demonstrated outstanding leadership within both the Kansas City community and JFS. Her dedicated service spans a decade on the Board, where she served as President, leveraging her time, financial support, and influence to advance JFS’s initiatives. Notably, Kelly played a pivotal role in steering JFS’s COVID-19 response, enabling rapid expansion to effectively address community needs.
Make a donation in Kelly’s honor here.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Presenting
Leadership
Barton P. Cohen and Mary Davidson Cohen Charitable Trust, Midwest Trust Company, Trustee
White Family Supporting Foundation and Sandi and Ed Fried Family Foundation
Benefactor
Brenda Althouse & Paul Fingersh
Leonard and Irene Bettinger Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation
Advocate
Danielle & Jeremy Antes
Dr. Phyliss & Bob Bernstein
Kristen & Dan Fromm
Jenny & John Isenberg
Ro & Howard Jacobson
Partner
Don Goldman & Martha Gershun
Ann Slegman Isenberg and Tom Isenberg
Linda & Mike Lyon
Lynne Melcher & Barry Kaseff
Michael and Marlene Fishman Family Fund
Robert Cutler Family Foundation
Ellen & Irv Robinson
Sherman Family Foundation
Community
Bank of Blue Valley
Debbie & Neil Bass
Peter & Lynne Brown
Cassie Bicknell & Mariner Foundation
Children’s Mercy Kansas City
Clergy Discretionary Funds at Beth Shalom
Gail & Dr. Alan Gutovitz
Judith & Charles Kahn
Rachel Krantz & Edward Goldstein
Gail & Dr. Richard Lozoff
Menorah Medical Center
Deborah & Michael Napovanice/Orion Property Group
Lisa & Steve Ruben
Julie & Dr. David Rudman
Saint Lukes Health System
Miriam & Dr. Daniel Scharf
Denise & Scott Slabotsky
Kelly & Dr. Dan Somberg
Dr. Debbie Sosland-Edelman & Alan Edelman
The Stolper Family
Linda & David Zachariah
Family
Kathryn Anastasio-Mills & Daniel Mills
Barbara & Richard Atlas
Sarah & Jon Baum
Janice & Bert Benjamin
Carmen Blatter Pfluger & Andreas Pfluger
Gayla Brockman & Marshall Pred
Joan Cohen
Commerce Bank
Rita Cortes & Mary McLean
John Dillingham
Pella & Jack Fingersh
Taly & Bradley Friedman
Rhonda & Jeff Fromm
Donna Gould-Cohen
Evie & Bob Grant
Natalie & Hanan Hammer
Kathy & Scott Hawley
Shirley & Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr
Liz & John Hjlamarson
Sharon & John Hoffman
Kansas City University
Nancy & Herb Kohn
Jen Lydon & Brian Overly
Sue McCord Belzer & Irv Belzer
Katie & John McGurk
Menorah Heritage Foundation
Amanda Morgan & Chad King
Alana Muller & Marc Hammer
Deborah & Michael Napovanice/Orion Property Group
Jodi & Michael Novicoff
Janice Pinson
Prairie Capital Management Group
Lewis Rise
Lisa & Ken Schifman
Amy & Dr. Peter Shapiro
Deborah Smith & Dr. Mark Myron
Dr. Jane & Joshua Sosland
Dr. Rachel & David Sosland
Mary Stahl & Sam Devinki
Susan Stanton
Esther & Stewart Stein
Awais Sufi
Patricia Uhlmann
Kelly & Greg Wolf
Anonymous
Event Committee
Gail & Harry Himmelstein
Susan & Paul Himmelstein
Danielle & Jeremy Antes
Lena Price & Tom Cohen
Michelle Goldsmith
Stann Tate
Kathryn Anastasio Mills & Dan Mills
Barbara & Richard Atlas
Bert & Janice Benjamin
Phyliss & Bob Bernstein
Sandi & Ed Fried
Kristen & Dan Fromm
Dayna & Danny Gershon
Liz & John Hjalmarson
Jenny & John Isenberg
Sherri & Jonathan Jacobs
Ro & Howard Jacobson
Regina & Bill Kort
Rachel Krantz & Edward Goldstein
Linda & Mike Lyon
Katie & John McGurk
Ann & Bob Regnier
Irv & Ellen Robinson
Dr. David Rudman
Cathy Boyer-Shesol & Ron Shesol
Dr. Rachel & David Sosland