Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy announced it will return in-person for its 48th Civic Service Award Celebration, honoring Alan Edelman.
The fundraising gala, which will include cocktails, dinner and video entertainment, is set for Sunday, January 22, 2023, at the Westin Crown Center.
“We are so excited… first, to be gathering in person with our HBHA family and our community for this auspicious occasion, and second, to be honoring such a renowned civic leader who has done so much to further Jewish tradition and engagement, unity, and diversity. These are all things that HBHA strives to cultivate with our students,” said Head of School Adam Tilove.
Edelman has been involved in community service as a program developer, leader and active participant throughout the Greater Kansas City area his entire adult life. His time and involvement with HBHA dates back 33 years.
“My wife was in the first graduation class at HBHA in 1976. I taught at the school, and all three of our children attended K-12. Engaging children in quality Jewish educational activities and travel seminars, as well as developing independent and ethical thinkers, as HBHA does, is one of the most important things for strengthening the Jewish future,” Edelman said.
A native of Kansas City, Edelman grew up in the mid-1960s during a time of activism. From the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam, there were many causes to get involved in during his adolescence, guiding him toward a life of community service.
When he was in middle school, the Six Day War occurred in Israel. Edelman described the event as a wake up call. He contemplated his relationship to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
It was at this time Edelman decided to focus on educating and engaging young Jews. He received his bachelor’s degree in child development and education from the University of Kansas, spending his junior year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He attended the Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City, where he received his master’s degree in Jewish education. He also holds a master’s degree in education policy and leadership from KU.
Edelman always pursued leadership positions that gave him the opportunity to understand why people were disconnecting from Judaism. He thought about how to reframe Judaism to better engage students.
“I prefer the term Jewish engagement to Jewish education. You don’t just study it — you practice it, you experience it,” Edelman said.
His ultimate goal was to make sure children were engaged from the start, partially by educating parents. Edelman’s research focused on restructuring a congregational religious school by integrating informal and family activities into the educational program.
From 1977-1980, Edelman served as educational director for Congregation Beth Shalom. Edelman then spent two years as regional director of the Central States/Provinces Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, consulting with congregations and coordinating youth activities. In July of 1982, he began as executive director of the Central Agency for Jewish Education of Greater Kansas City (CAJE), a committee of Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City.
In 1990, the first national Jewish population study was released. The study showed an increase in the number of unaffiliated and under-engaged Jews, and as part of our Jewish community's strategic plan, Edelman helped plan and found several new programs. He worked to help bring programs such as PJ Library, the First Time Campers Incentive grant program and Avodah to our community.
He also helped the local Jewish community by overseeing educational programs such as Sasone, The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning, outreach to interfaith couples, informal education initiatives, and Israel and Overseas study seminars and leadership initiatives, including the Helzberg Leadership Fellows program.
“It was an honor to be part of the Jewish Federation’s dynamic strategic plan, which focused on meeting unmet needs in our community,” Edelman said. “Bob Gast and Merilyn Berenbom were instrumental in creating the plan and served as mentors, along with numerous hardworking volunteers and funding partners.”
In October of 1994, Edelman’s responsibilities at Jewish Federation were expanded to include community planning, human resource development, identity and engagement, and Israel and Overseas, as he assumed the role of associate executive director until his retirement in June 2017.
Throughout his career, Edelman has served on a number of local, regional and continental advisory committees. He served as guest theologian in many churches, universities and seminaries, and he remains active in the pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He served on the board of directors of Notre Dame de Sion School of Kansas City, Avodah and EmberHope.
He now serves as the Jewish director and chair-elect of the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, and as a member of the board of directors of the Center for Practical Bioethics, Midwest Center for Holocaust Education, JCRB|AJC, Heart to Heart International, The Schechter Institute and The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning.
Edelman and his wife, Debbie Sosland-Edelman (class of 1976), have three HBHA alumni children, Alex (2003), Katja (2007) and Jonathan (2011).
“We are proud of the people our children have become and are grateful to HBHA for the excellent education they received,” Edelman said.
A save-the-date for the 48th Civic Service Award Celebration will be emailed, followed by mailed invitations. Kerry Cosner, director of development, can be contacted for additional information on sponsorships, tickets and donations at or 913-327-8156.