Shane Shaps is a Louisvillian whose family roots in the city go back several generations. She grew up here as an active participant in Jewish life, then following her high school graduation from St. Francis, she headed out.
During her 11 year absence, she earned a B.S. degree in public relations from the University of Florida and married. But Louisville is home, and Shaps “came back in 2002 to settle with my husband and start a family.”
Her family includes husband, Howard, and children, Jenna, 6, who attends Kentucky Country Day School; and Ryan, 4, who is enrolled in the Adath Jeshurun Preschool.
For Shaps, the JCL is an important family resource. Ryan is a member of The PJ Library, through which he receives high quality Jewish books and CDs every month through the mail and gets to participate in special activities with other Jewish youngsters his age.
Jenna is part of the new PJ Plus, a transition program for children in kindergarten through second grade.
This summer, Shaps continued, “the kids are at camp at the JCC and having a ball.” As her children were not swimmers, she explained, she was hesitant to put them in camp, but after talking with Camp Director Julie Hollander, she decided to give it a try. Now Jenna is swimming, Ryan is making good progress, and the Shapses know they made the right decision.
The Shapses also enjoy participating in JCL family events, and are active members of Congregation Adath Jeshurun.
In addition, Shaps works full-time, running her own company, 520 East Brands, which focuses its energies in three areas:
- “We find things we like and speak loudly about them,” she explained, helping manufacturers get their products placed in stores. She even has team of representatives working in Memphis, Chicago and Los Angeles, as well as a local product representative.
- 520 East Brands also manages social media for national companies; and
- Works with Itzy Ritzy Corporation on their school fundraising program, promoting the use of washable, reusable snack bags and similar products as organizational fund-raisers.
Even with a busy young family and a growing business, Shaps finds time to volunteer. She’s a member of JCL’s Children’s Committee for grades K-5, and serves on both the Adath Jeshurun Board and the AJ Preschool Auxiliary Board.
She also served as a member of the JCL’s Program Review Subcommittee looking at programming for young children and is a past National Council of Jewish Women Board member.