Prominent Philanthropic Leader Joins JTS Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) has elected Deborah Sosland-Edelman, a well-known philanthropic executive in the Kansas City area, as its newest member.

“We welcome Dr. Sosland-Edelman to our Board of Trustees,” said Alan Levine, chair of the board. “We are particularly excited to welcome the next generation of the Sosland family to our board and acknowledge the 30 years of service of her father, Neil Sosland, to JTS.” 

Dr. Sosland-Edelman is the executive director of the Sosland Foundation and a longtime supporter of the Kansas City philanthropic community. In this position, she administers grants to regional social welfare, education, health, civic, cultural arts, and Jewish organizations. Sosland-Edelman has been a leading advocate for a strong local cultural and nonprofit sector for the past 25 years.

Previously, Sosland-Edelman was a teaching and research assistant at the University of Kansas Medical Center for eight years, where she concurrently earned her doctoral degree in developmental and child psychology. Her undergraduate degree is from Smith College. 

Sosland-Edelman has been an active member of numerous boards and community organizations throughout her career, including Children’s Mercy Hospital, the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, Jewish Community Center, and Planned Parenthood, among many others. She is also a member of the Jewish Federation’s first class of Helzberg Leadership Fellows.