5/28/26
Humanitarians of the Year
The Jewish Federation of Omaha is delighted to announce Maxine, Joe, Sharon and Jeff Kirshenbaum have been named 2025 Humanitarians of the Year. Defined by a shared commitment to leadership, service and responsibility, all have left their mark on our community.
Joe has served as chair of the JFO Board of Directors, was a member of the United Jewish Federations’ Board and the recipient of the Ben Gurion Award. Both Joe and Jeff have served terms as president of the Beth Israel Board and have been involved at what was first the Dr. Sher Home, and now the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. Joe also led the JFO Foundation’s board.
Maxine became involved with the Jewish Community Center when her kids were small, and “it went from there,” she said. She then directed her efforts towards the JFO Annual Campaign, as well as Israel Bonds. Known for her hands-on involvement and unwavering commitment, she has contributed her time, insight and care across numerous agencies and organizations.
Sharon, who worked at the JFO from 1994-2015 in a variety of roles, has never stopped volunteering and was the recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award in 2021.
Jeff was in the unique position of co-chairing the RBJH board with Toba Cohen Dunning during the pandemic, possibly one of the most challenging times for staff and Residents. Many of you also remember Jeff stepping up when the war began in Ukraine in 2022:
“After a whirlwind week, during which Jeff Kirshenbaum and Rabbi Steven Abraham agreed to join the JFNA mission to the Polish-Ukrainian border,” the Jewish Press wrote at the time, “and 28 duffel bags were filled with over-the-counter-medicine by a generous community, the two found themselves on a plane to Warsaw. With the exception of one news outlet referring to Jeff as ‘Rabbi Kirshenbaum,’ everything went miraculously well.”
There is more, so much more, the Kirshenbaums have done to strengthen the lives of Jews in Omaha, and around the world. Were we to list every example, this article would become both exceptionally long, and perhaps somewhat like a philanthropy-grocery-list. So how do we honor people with this many accolades to their names?
“As a transplant from New York and fully immersed in East Coast culture,” Former JFO Executive Director Jan Goldstein said in 2021, “Sharon nonetheless embraced and graced our Omaha Jewish community from day one. What’s more, she did so with authentic sincerity.” The quote could apply to all four (minus the transplant part); it is that word, “sincerity,” that possibly best describes who they are as people.
Joe named Harry Sidman as his mentor.
“He got me involved in the Dr. Sher Home,” he said, “and then at Beth Israel Synagogue, as well as Beth Israel cemetery. Harry told me they needed people to help, and I said yes.
That was the beginning of my volunteer life. Back then, we didn’t have the number of volunteers that we do nowadays, and I knew it was important to get involved.”
Jewish Omaha means everything to Joe, he said:
“Our community is so important, and I am proud when I see how our community stands tall in comparison to others.”
Maxine’s wish for the future is focused on the next generation:
“I hope that the young people continue to be involved in the Jewish community. As they potentially grow their own families, I hope that they will find the areas of the community that interest them, and find ways to be engaged as lay leaders.”
Those areas are many, as Sharon pointed out:
“The Jewish community takes care of us from the ELC to the Blumkin Home, and everywhere in between. It gave me personally a sense of belonging. Sometimes we take it for granted, but it is great relief to know that there is a community to be a part of.”
For Jeff, Omaha is simply “Home.” It has been a part of his life for as long as he can remember, and has in great part shaped who he is today, he said.
“I am one small part of the community. Every person – active or not – is a part of the community. I want to see our community grow, thrive, and expand, and I want to be able to play a small part in that. And,” he added, “I feel strongly that it is our collective responsibility to not just be a part of the community but to give back to it. My family and I have utilized the JCC, synagogues and multiple JFO agencies over the years. It is not just a responsibility but a privilege. Every person in our community has the ability to volunteer, donate, and participate to any number of our Omaha Jewish organizations. I tend to feel I get more out volunteering than giving.”
“The generosity of the community is unmatched,” Sharon added. “It is a privilege to have the beautiful Staenberg Omaha JCC and synagogues, and the large number of activities for all ages. Our responsibility is to make sure we get involved and support these organizations so they are around for our future generations.”
Jeff points to his parents as his greatest mentors, but also credits JFO programming:
“There have been many people who have guided and mentored me over the years. My parents set an example for me from an early age to give back and be a part of the community. But, I think what truly started my involvement was being part of the Jewish Omaha Leadership Training (JOLT) program in the early 1990s. I learned firsthand how the JFO worked. Steve Pitlor (of blessed memory) then called to ask if I would serve on the JCC board. Since that time there has not been a time where I have not sat on a board/committee in the Omaha Jewish community. “
Joe’s message for future generations: “Get involved and stay involved with our Jewish community. I am proud of all of the younger people who are stepping up to do the work.
Keep it up!”
Please join us in honoring our Humanitarians of the Year on Thursday, June 4 at the Jewish Federation of Omaha Awards Night & Annual Meeting.
