In honor of his father, Frank Loeffler (z”l), Josef Loeffler is funding a position in the Orthodox Union’s Leaders in Advocacy Training (LIAT) Fellowship reserved for local college students.
The position is open to local Jewish students either from the Kansas City area and studying elsewhere or at nearby schools like the University of Kansas and University of Missouri. The program is for “students who are interested in learning about launching a professional career in politics or as an engaged community leader who will advocate on behalf of Israel and the Jewish community,” according to its website, advocacy.ou.org/liat.
Upon learning about the LIAT Fellowship from a friend in Jewish Federation of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet, Josef Loeffler saw an opportunity to support the next generation of Jewish leadership and honor his father.
“My dad didn't like the idea of paying for buildings and really wanted to see the next generation be stronger than the last,” he said. “He remained optimistic about this and would get great joy out of hearing of others' accomplishments, hoping that they would exceed his own… I hope that this may inspire the next generation to think about what future they want to see, as everything that our community has built is only justified if they perpetuate it.”
Frank Loeffler was politically active throughout his life, supporting the Kansas City community and traveling to the South to march with Jewish civil rights advocate Abraham Joshua Heschel. He also ran for Congress, and Josef Loeffler said he was supported by the local Jewish community for his dedication to integrity.
Josef Loeffler was influenced by his father’s work and beliefs, especially regarding Zionism and a dedication to the State of Israel.
“Throughout my life, when he was talking about Israel, his voice would tremble, his eyes would water up, and he would [strongly] express his love for the Jewish homeland,” he said of his father. “... For him, being the descendent of Zionists, one of the facets of being Jewish was a belief in Zion — a belief in self-determination with one eye in the past and one foot in the future.”
Frank Loeffler was a supporter of Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City, AIPAC, the American Jewish Committee and many other organizations. Josef Loeffler said that his father was proud to have a chance to speak with people who saw things differently than him, and he would encourage his friends to give and “show up, because he felt it was what needed to happen.”
These goals and values are emphasized by the LIAT Fellowship’s curriculum.
“LIAT fellows spend an intensive week in Washington, D.C., engaging directly with senior policymakers, Israeli diplomats and national Jewish advocacy leaders,” said Max Oberg, a public affairs consultant for the Orthodox Union. “They meet with members of Congress and staff across the political spectrum to advocate for stronger action against campus antisemitism. Fellows also participate in hands-on training sessions that cover Title VI rights, university governance, media strategy and coalition building.
“Beyond D.C., each fellow designs and implements a year-long capstone project on their campus, such as legal literacy workshops or administrative advocacy, ensuring the fellowship drives meaningful, lasting change at their universities.”
Those interested in applying can visit advocacy.ou.org/liat. Should applicants be interested, Josef Loeffler would like to share their names with other organizations seeking young Jewish leaders.
