Global Table 2025 booklet (7 × 5 in)

Thriving Communities, Strengthened by Diversity

this evening's festivities 5:30 Welcome!

Enjoy passed appetizers & libations

6:30 Family-style dinner service begins

6:45 Video Introduction

Welcome remarks and special recognitions Stories of HOPE, HUMANITY, and HOME

8:00 Thank you for joining us!

thank you from the Global table co-chairs

Dear Friends~ On behalf of the entire planning committee, we are thrilled to welcome you to Global Table. We are honored to serve as your Co-Chairs for this exciting event and to be part of a gathering that brings together such a diverse, passionate, and inspiring group of individuals. Global Table reflects our shared vision and commitment to being a beacon of hope, humanity, and home for our refugee and immigrant neighbors. This evening, we invite you to engage fully - be inspired by the stories you will hear, enjoy meaningful conversation over a shared meal, and discover ways to get involved with JVS beyond tonight. An event like this would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our planning team, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners. We are grateful for their tireless efforts in making tonight’s event not only possible, but extraordinary. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning as a valued part of this community, we hope you leave feeling inspired, empowered, and energized. With gratitude,

Katasha Kumar

Gina Lobaugh

about

JVS

Mission To engage, encourage, and empower refugees and immigrants to achieve successful social, cultural, and economic integration

Vision Thriving Communities, Strengthened by Diversity

Values JVS believes that all people have intrinsic worth and dignity and all people can flourish with support.

Community Integration Empowers all people to contribute to their community, and encourages community accessibility and inclusivity Workforce Development Encourages prosperity and economic stability through education, employment, and entrepreneurship

Health & Wellness Engages individuals in activities that promote healthy bodies, minds, and relationships

individuals were welcomed to Kansas City 713 1,516 asylum-seekers unaccompanied minors 176 refugees 627 2024 agency highlights by the numbers 7,500 refugee countries of origin

lives were impacted by JVS services

AFGHANISTAN

129

BURMA

COLUMBIA

3,266

DEM. REP. OF CONGO

276

EL SALVADOR

interpreting and translation encounters in 26 different languages

ERITREA ETHIOPIA

IRAQ

NICARAGUA PAKISTAN

1,143

RWANDA SOMALIA

medical appointments were facilitated

72 20 30

SOUTH SUDAN

SUDAN SYRIA

832 individuals accessed immigration support services

VENEZUELA

languages spoken at jvs

global

passed appetizer BOURAK Middle Eastern egg rolls, filled with cream cheese, pickles and parsley and fried until crispy FAre

family-style dinner CRUDITE, HUMMUS & VEGETABLE CUPS

Homemade tahini salsa, mixed pickles and olives Pureed chickpeas paired with fresh vegetables MIXED GREEN SALAD Crisp, seasonal vegetables marinated and garnished with feta cheese YELLOW RICE with vegetables Fluffy rice infused with spices and cooked vegetables falafel & Pita Homemade chickpea patties, flavored with herbs and spices Accompanied by traditional warm pita bread POTATO PATTIES Mashed potatoes are combined with a seasoned filling, then coated and deep-fried BAKLAVA Thin layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and honey

signature COCKTAIL

Compliments of J. Rieger & Co., the JVS G&T is a refreshing blend of Midwestern Dry Gin, blackberry tonic, cardamom, and lemon and is inspired by J. Rieger’s popular seasonal gin & tonic.

tonight’s emcee JASON kander Jason Kander is an Afghanistan Veteran, former Missouri Secretary of State, and a national political figure who stepped away from a presidential candidacy to address post-traumatic stress stemming from his military service. For the past few years, he helped build villages of tiny houses for homeless veterans as the president of national

at Veterans Community Project, where he currently serves as Senior Advisor. He is an award-winning podcaster, a bestselling author, and - believe it or not - an amateur baseball player. In 2021, after the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, he founded American Rescue Project, which facilitated the escape of over 2000 Afghan allies from brutal Taliban retribution. Jason personally orchestrated "Operation Bella," a fake wedding that fooled the Taliban and defied the U.S. government. In reporting the story, 60 Minutes described it as "one of the most daring and unconventional rescue missions in recent history.” The Kanders have a long association with JVS. Jason's grandfather, Ed Kander, was the president of Jewish Family Services of Kansas City and steered the organization toward supporting JVS's work with refugees. Jason's wife Diana was resettled by JVS when she arrived in Kansas City as an eight-year- old Ukranian refugee. Jason also worked with JVS during the initial stages of Operation Bella, resulting in his translator's family arriving in Kansas City with JVS support in 2023.

first generation A PARTNERSHIP WITH JVS & SPINNING TREE THEATRE JVS was proud to partner with Spinning Tree Theatre for the world premiere of First Generation , a play written by Kansas City playwright, Victor Wishna. Inspired by real-life experiences and stories of youth in JVS’ newcomers class, First Generation is a thought-provoking and urgently relevant new play about identity, belonging, and the power of empathy— inviting audiences to explore the complexities of finding home in a new world. Spinning Tree Theatre was founded in 2010 by Michael and Andrew Grayman-Parkhurst. Spinning Tree provides opportunities for Kansas City metro area young artists of all abilities to collaborate with professional artists in creating, rehearsing, and performing plays and musicals. Victor Wishna is a husband, father, playwright, author, editor, and commentator. He has written more than a dozen plays, which have been staged in multiple time zones, including recent area productions at the White Theatre, Kansas City Actors Theatre, and The Living Room. His new comedy The Dreidel Players Present...Best Hanukkah Show Ever! was published last month by Dramatists Play Service. about SPINNING TREE THEATRE & VICTOR WISHNA

Leonardo Aptilon, Violin Nile Clipner, Djembe drum Elisa Lopez, Tida joining us this evening

thank you to our sponsors

as of April 25

LEAD Sponsor | $10,000 Anonymous Anonymous Brad & Linda Finkle Foundation Tom & Ann Isenberg

HOST Sponsor | $5,000 Julie & Michael Doane Don Goldman & Martha Gershun

& the Poskin Family

ADVOCATE SPONSORS | $2,500

Irene Bettinger Cliff & Paula Cohen Goldberg Family Foundation Scott Fuller & Lauren Weinhold John & Jenny Isenberg

Kate McCaslin & Brady Poskin Jeremy Singer & Hilary Cohen Singer Toma & Andy Wolff

& Brent Wilson

thank you to our sponsors PATRON SPONSORS | $1,200 Robert & Andrea Baran Jonathan & Sara Baum Dr. Loren & Mrs. Merilyn Berenbom Philanthropic Fund Michael & Mollie Berenbom Merilyn & Cal Cohen Rita Cortes & Mary McLean Deloitte Funk Law, LLC Shirley & Barnett C. Helzberg Becci Anderson Assured Partners Kansas City Public Schools Allan Katz & Nancy Cohn Donna & Ward Katz Rachel Krantz & Edward Goldstein Kasey & Gina Lobaugh Porchlight Insights Pospisil Swift, LLC Bret & Kate Ruber Debbie Sosland-Edelman & Alan Edelman Lara Tenbarge Tension Envelope Thought Partners, LLC United Mosquito & Fly Control Brad & Linn VerMeer

as of April 25

FRIEND SPONSORS | $600 Bachhuber Family Drs. Jerry & Martha Baird Dr. Jeff & Mrs. Stevi Brick Jenna Brofsky & Ethan Corson Jose & Gloria Carpio Laura & William Cleaver Dr. Babalola & Mrs. Bukky Faseru Full Employment Council Bob Galamba Influent Energy Barry Kassef & Lynn Melcher Paul & Krista Knoflicek

Katasha Kumar & Caden Junk Law Office of Jared A. Rose Rabbi Mark Levin Tracy Mandel McHugh & Michael McHugh Howard & Vicky Mayer Beckah & Jonathan Molina Alana Muller & Marc Hammer David & Amanda Palan Mike Shopmaker & Cheryl Hightower Ken & Sheila Sonnenschein Annie & Victor Wishna

In-Kind Sponsors

jvs board of directors

President Brad Finkle

Members Abiodun Akinwuntan Martha Baird* Cal Cohen* Ruth Dickson Babalola Faseru Jennifer Hack Wolf Bill Intrater* Tim Riemann

Bret Ruber Rob Santel Mike Shopmaker* Lara Tenbarge Jeff Wasinger Brad VerMeer Obed Zungura *Past President Executive Director Hilary Cohen Singer

Vice Presidents Allyson Hile Brady Poskin Treasurer Jenna Brofsky

Secretary Julie Doane

jvs young professional board

Bridget Faerber Sabawoon Faqiry Brad Hahn Kylie Hernandez Cydni Ivey

Paige Schmit Camila Segura-Rivera Niyati Sethi Sarah Thompson-Davoli Olivia Tigges Virginia Trickey

global table committee members

co-chairs Katasha Kumar Gina Lobaugh

Members Jill Campbell Brandi Fisher

D’Wayne Leatherland Amanda Palan Tim Riemann

We invite you to get involved!

OR TEXT “GT2025” to 844-435-7107 GIVE

VOLUNTEER

donate goods HOST A FRIEND-RAISER FOLLOW JVS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

jvskc.org/give | 816.471.2808 | info@jvskc.org

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