Neal Alster hasjoined Frontenac Bank as an investment professional’s financial adviser. He will provide asset management for corporate qualified plans, assisting clients on retirement planning, estate and succession planning, and planning for families with special-needs children.

The Jewish Enrichment Center in Chicago, started by former St. Louisan Rabbi Rebecca Milder, has been  named one of the 21 most innovative Jewish organizations in the Midwest by Slingshot, a resource/advocate/funder for Jewish innovation. The center takes a new approach to Sunday morning and after-school Jewish learning and serves as a model for other Jewish after-school programs around the country.

Dr. Myron H. Jacobs has received the Physician of the Year Award from the Christian Hospital Foundation at its recent Legacy Leaders Dinner. The award is given to a doctor who has dedicated much of his career to serving the patients at Christian Hospital with compassion and expertise. Jacobs, a pulmonologist, came to Christian Hospital as director of pulmonary medicine in 1974. His department has grown from four full-time employees to more than 100. From initially having no diagnostic equipment and minimal therapeutic possibilities, the department is now one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive, offering services available at no other facility in St. Louis County.

Jeffrey A. Cohen has been named managing shareholder for the law firm of Capes, Sokol, Goodman & Sarachan, P.C. He will assume the top leadership role Jan. 1. The focus of Cohen’s practice is business, finance and real estate.

Dan Glazier, executive director and general counsel at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, has been elected Midwest representative for the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. Glazier is a member of Central Reform Congregation.

Stanley Goldfader has been inducted into the  Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering Department’s Hall of Fame at the University of Missouri College of Engineering. He was recognized for making a significant impact within his field and IMSE. Goldfader is the retired vice president of operations for True Fitness Technology Inc., a fitness-equipment manufacturer.

Jane E. Fedder has joined the Polsinelli law firm  as a shareholder and vice chair of the environmental practice group. She is responsible for assisting clients in environmental litigation and insurance recovery matters.

Teree Farbstein was installed as the Hadassah Great Plains Region president Nov. 2 in Chicago. Her term begins next year and runs through 2018. Farbstein was a past president of the St. Louis Hadassah chapter.

Former St. Louisan Lisa Reznik has won a prize for best short educational film at the 2014 International Family Film Festival for “95 Decibels.” Her film explores the emotional obstacles parents face when they get an unexpected diagnosis of hearing loss for their child. This film was part of the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival this past summer.

Ruth Lederman is the new vice president of resource development at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. She will lead fundraising efforts to fulfill the organization’s mission. A member of 

Central Reform Congregation, Lederman was previously with the St. Louis Jewish Federation as vice president and director of development. 

Leisa Zigman is president ofSt. Louis-based G Corp, organizer of genome science and technology conferences. Zigman, formerly an anchor and investigative reporter with KSDK-TV (Channel 5), will lead the move to expand the conferences to a global audience and the general public. 

Talia Bahr Goldfarb, owner of Myself Belts, recently appeared on ABC’s reality series “Shark Tank.” At the end of her segment, she was able to secure a deal with Daymond John. Myself Belts uses a patented Velcro one-handed belt closure, making it easy for young children to fasten the belts themselves. The belts are also easy to use for teenagers and adults with special needs and hand-dexterity difficulties.

Ericka Zoll has become regional development director of the local KIPP Charter Schools. KIPP is a national network for free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. A member of Central Reform Congregation, Zoll was the development director at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center for the past five years.

Sherry Salant a local mixed-media and photography artist, has opened Fine Art of Missouri, a 1,400-square-foot gallery on the second level of Chesterfield Mall. Many of the 13 artists will be teaching one-on-one and small group classes at the gallery. The classes will be in ink, photography, drawing and painting and will be geared toward the level and flexibility of each student.

Dr. Jay S. Pepose has been given the AcuFocus Innovator’s Award from AcuFocus Inc. An ophthalmologist and founder and director of the Pepose Vision Institute in Chesterfield, he was recognized for his research, dedication and contributions to the advancement of the KAMRATM inlay, called the world’s smallest and leading corneal inlay for treatment of presbyopia. 

St. Louis native Craig Pomranz’s new book is  “Made By Raffi.” He wrote the book to support young boys and girls who are perceived as different because of their appearance or hobbies. The message is one of diversity and embracing our differences. Pomranz, an international singer, will be in St. Louis at Cyrano’s Café in Webster Groves on Dec. 13 to debut his new show, “Here’s to the Ladies: An Exploration of Women’s Names in Song.”