Susie and Ron Goldsmith, co-chairs of the 2009 Village Shalom “Ages of Excellence Celebration,” are pleased to announce that Robert and Jacqueline Epsten and Family have been chosen to receive the Helzberg Excellence in Aging Award. The award will be presented at the Ages of Excellence event on Thursday, November 12, at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel. Maureen Dowd, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times, will be the evening’s featured speaker.

“Bobby and Jackee Epsten and their children have done so much for our community through the years — and for Village Shalom in particular — that we are extremely excited to honor all of them with this prestigious award,” commented Susie Goldsmith in making the announcement. “Their commitment to enriching people’s lives with art and educational opportunities of every kind is an inspiration to us all.”  Village Shalom Board Chairman James Klein added, “It is fitting to recognize the entire Epsten Family as an example of the multi-generational support we see every day at Village Shalom.”

Robert “Bobby” Epsten is the chairman of Major Brands, the largest wine and spirits wholesale distributor in Missouri. Founded in 1934 by his father, Joseph “Kewpie” Epsten, the family business now includes a third generation: son Todd Epsten serves as CEO. The company is known throughout the industry for its extensive portfolio of leading brands as well as for its outstanding management and commitment to customers, suppliers and associates.

Jacqueline “Jackee” Gibson Epsten, who grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, possessed a passion for art that brought her to the Kansas City Art Institute, where she graduated with degree in fine arts with a focus on painting. She met and married Bobby, and imparted her love of art to him. Ever since, the couple has become avid collectors and philanthropic supporters in the Kansas City art community. Nowhere is their commitment more visible than the eponymous Epsten Gallery, housed within Village Shalom. Through their gracious contribution of this fine-art space, exhibitions from Kansas City and around the world are accessible to Village Shalom residents, their families, and anyone who wishes to appreciate the vast creativity of which human beings are capable.

The Epstens, members of the New Reform Temple in Kansas City, have long been known to embody the concept of tzedakah (“charity” – literally, “righteousness”) within the Jewish community. Likewise, they have been responsible for significant, ongoing support to a variety of community-wide philanthropic endeavors, including the Kansas City Zoo, Harvesters, University Academy, Kansas City Hospice, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kansas City Art Institute, the Folly Theatre, Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera. Because of their love for the performing arts, Jackee and Bobby have given a significant gift to the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Sharing the Helzberg Excellence in Aging Award with Bobby and Jackee are their children and respective spouses: Todd and Sue Epsten, Jane and Jonny Girson, Brad and Ginny Epsten, Judy and Bill McLaughlin, and Jill Corl. Together, the Epstens and their children have developed a mission statement — with art and education at its core — that will guide their family philanthropy in the future. They have imparted to all of their children the importance of giving back to one’s community, and their legacy will surely continue for generations to come.

For information on Village Shalom’s “Ages of Excellence Celebration,” contact Sally J. Beyers, Village Shalom Director of Development, at 913-266-8412, or Matt Lewis, Village Shalom President & CEO, at 913-266-8400.