On June 7, 2009 family and friends of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City gathered at the Bloch Building of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art for a joyous celebration…50 years of tzedakah, tikkun olam and ensuring the strength and security of our Jewish community for generations to come – Dor l’dor.

More than 300 Foundation family members and friends enjoyed the festive evening chaired by Susie Goldsmith and Cathy Schultz.  The pinnacle of the 50th anniversary gala was an on-stage interview of Edgar M. Bronfman, Sr., former Chairman and CEO of the Seagram Company Ltd, by Rabbi Avi Weinstein, Head of Jewish Studies at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, with additional questions from audience members Rabbi Herbert Mandl, Patricia Werthan Uhlmann and Daniel Goldberg. Mr. Bronfman is a world-renowned philanthropist and Jewish leader who has championed Jewish causes for more than forty years and has recently published a book, Hope Not Fear, A Path to Jewish Renaissance.  He shared his view that the future of the Judaism lies within individuals and their willingness to embrace home observance and literacy.  Bronfman emphasized that by continually deepening one’s knowledge and celebrating rituals as a family, the joy of Judaism will be rekindled and our young people will be inspired to be apart of our Jewish community.

The Foundation’s new video, which you can now view online, also made its premier at the event.

The event marked an incredible milestone for the Jewish Community Foundation.  Fifty years of planting seeds for future generations to reap and enjoy and a festive celebration of its mission to foster, sustain and ensure a strong and vibrant Jewish community.

To see more photos from the Foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration, visit www.flickr.com/jewishcommunityfoundation.