The Earl J. and Leona K. Tranin Special Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation (JCF) was created in 1975 to support programs and projects that elevate education, culture, health and social responsibility in the Jewish community.
This year’s grant cycle brought in “the finest round of applications I’ve seen in a while,” said committee member Michele Kaplan.
The committee awarded funding to three important initiatives:
Jewish Community Relations Bureau|American Jewish Committee and Midwest Center for Holocaust Education: Navigating Holocaust Memory Amid Contemporary Antisemitism
On October 19, Dr. Emile Schrijver, general director of the Jewish Cultural Quarter in Amsterdam, will speak at The J about the creation of the new National Holocaust Museum of the Netherlands. His talk will reflect on the museum’s innovative approach and the challenges of preserving Holocaust memory amid rising antisemitism worldwide.
The J: 2026 Maccabi Games
Kansas City will host the 2026 JCC Maccabi Games, welcoming more than 1,000 Jewish teens from across the country and world. A Tranin Fund grant will help support this celebration of Jewish identity and community through athletic competition.
“Seized” Principal Photography
Filmmaker Sharon Liese’s documentary explores the 2023 raid on the Marion County Record newspaper and the home of its publisher, Joan Meyer, who called the search “Hitler tactics” as it unfolded. The film examines the critical role of a free press during challenging times.
Through these grants, the Earl J. and Leona K. Tranin Fund continues its mission of strengthening community, supporting cultural expression and encouraging meaningful conversations. More information about the fund is available by contacting Beatrice Fine at or (913) 327-4618.
