Barbara Bloch, a native Kansas Citian and Jewish community member, has been hired as Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City’s major gifts officer. She began in this newly-created role on June 1.
Bloch has a long history with Federation. She served on its board for eight years, chairing its allocations committee for two years and serving as secretary for another two.
"Jewish Federation leadership could not be more excited about having Barb Bloch as part of the professional team," said Derek Gale, vice president and chief operating officer. "Barb served Federation well as a board member and brings both many years of strong fundraising experience and amazing connections and relationships to her role. We are confident she will help us continue to grow investment into our community from generous community members as well as local businesses.”
Bloch’s years of involvement solidified her enthusiasm for and support of Federation’s mission.
“With the money that we raise, we continue to do positive, important work,” she said “…There’s a lot of good we do in the community, and if donors knew what all aspects Federation touches, I think it would compel them to get more involved.”
Bloch is the daughter of the late Archie and Marjorie Bercu. She became involved with the Jewish community at a young age, joining BBYO. She has extensive knowledge of the fashion industry, having studied textiles and apparel management at the University of Missouri and running multiple businesses in the field.
In a profile in the Nov. 9, 1984, issue of The Chronicle about Bloch and her design company, The Cotton Duck, she was described as a “one-woman dynamo” and a “designer, pattern maker, manufacturer, sales representative — Barbara [Bloch] has learned how to manage it all.”
Later in her career, Bloch’s fashion endeavors included working as a recruiter for a clothing line, Carlisle Collection, serving three terms as regional director for the Fashion Group and running a consignment store, Her Majesty’s Closet.
Her interest in philanthropy stemmed from a recurring theme she noticed among famous fashion designers.
“All the big name designers have foundations, and they all have their passions, and they all give back,” Bloch said.
She married Robert Bloch in 2005, and through his family came another influence on her philanthropic philosophy: her father-in-law, Henry Bloch, cofounder of H&R Block.
“Take a look at what my father-in-law did… giving back to a community that gifted him success,” she said. “He also helped guide my moral compass. He was always out in the community trying to do as much as possible to give back to the community that made him a success.”
Now settled into her new position, Bloch can be reached at for questions regarding making a gift to Federation.
“I’m excited to bring new opportunities to the community and looking forward to Federation’s vision of a more inclusive community that touches so many areas,” she said.
