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Steve Greenberg was in carpet sales when the decline of the industry reinforced his growing conviction that he was “put on earth to do more than push rugs” and inspired him to embark on a journey toward meaning that, he says, is now “really coming together.”
A Division I college football player at Drake University, Greenberg worked in Atlanta after graduation, moved back to Kansas City in 1988, teamed up with his father in the convenience store business for a couple of years, and got back into carpet sales until the recession hit last year.
Early on, he rejoined The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah where he grew up and became active in young adult programs, as well as the Jewish Community Center and Oakwood Country Club. A few years ago, he participated in several Federation-sponsored young leadership conferences. But it was the Federation’s Tel Aviv One mission to Israel in 2006 that made the deepest impression on him.
“I felt a strong connection to Israel,” he says. “I realized that I wanted to spend more of my time and energy doing something with meaning that would help people and give back to the community. On the way back from Israel, I began to figure out how to do this.”
A place for everyone
Greenberg quickly discovered there’s a place for everyone in the Federation. The year following his Israel trip, he co-chaired the Super Sunday prize committee. Last year, he worked registration and made phone calls. This year, with Beth Liss, he’s serving his first of two years as Super Sunday co-chair.
With economic challenges on everyone’s mind, he hopes the Super Sunday theme they’ve chosen, “Hineini – This Year Count Me In, This Year I Am Here,” strikes a chord. Greenberg strongly believes that understanding how the money Federation raises is spent and the difference it makes to people in Kansas City, nationally and around the world is critical to gaining more widespread support for the fundraising campaign.
As both a volunteer and a donor, he believes he gets back more than he gives. “I’ve met people at happy hours, tovkc and other young adult and singles programs who are a big part of my social circle,” he says. “One of my best friends now is someone I met on the Israel trip.”
Greenberg and his friend will take another Israel trip together in the future, as both have been accepted into the Helzberg Leadership Fellows program for the coming year. The Helzberg program is an intensive, two-year initiative which includes monthly sessions and a weekend retreat, culminating with a study seminar in Israel.
Here I am
Greenberg credits his parents, Dick and Margie Greenberg, as his role models. When he was young living in St. Louis, he remembers his dad working for the Federation and Margie volunteering for Brandeis. As he’s grown older, he says, “you come to recognize that giving back is one of your core values. You do what you can, whether it’s time or money or both.”
One day, Greenberg hopes he can do what others did for him.
“We were fortunate to have benefactors for Tel Aviv One,” he says. “I would like to do that – send some people to Israel.”
In the meantime, Greenberg answers the call: Hineini. Here I am.
Steve Greenberg
• Born in Kansas City, 1961
• Shawnee Mission East High School, 1980
• B.S. in human services, Drake University, 1984
• Extensive sales and marketing experience
• Lives in Overland Park
• Recent reading: “Open,” by Andre Agassi
• Favorite Jewish food: corned beef and pastrami on rye
• Favorite sports team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Trips to Israel: Two |
