The Institute of Real Estate Management has named Tim Balk, vice president-brokerage of Gershman Commercial Real Estate, commercial broker of the year.  

Ken Schwartz was the recipient of the 2016 Jewish Family & Children’s Service Supervisor’s Award. Each year, the award goes to a staff member who demonstrates outstanding productivity in job performance and/or as a team member. Schwartz, a geriatric social worker, is in charge of the Gatekeeper program of ElderLink and works with financial-assistance clients. He is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Sanford Goffstein has published a book, “Tales of a Trial Attorney: Twists and Tales of Litigation” (Lulu Press), a compilation of stories about cases he has tried or settled over the past 50 years. Goffstein, an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law and a past general chairman of the Jewish Federation Campaign, has published eight of his cases in an effort to enlighten law students, lawyers, judges and the general public on how to enjoy trial work. Still enjoying action in the courtroom at age 80, Goffstein is affiliated with Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Regina Frederick, Thelma Peskind and Charlotte Rosenblum are recipients of 2016 Irene Fox Ruach Awards for efforts, on behalf of the congregation, that embody the spirit of United Hebrew. All three are active volunteers chairing various programs and activities, as well as avid learners of Torah and Hebrew.  

Gail Wechsler has been recognized with Cultural Leadership’s Karen S. Kalish Troublemaker of the Best KindAward for her work in diversity leadership in the St. Louis community. She has inspired a generation of socially conscious, culturally aware leaders. Created in 2011, the award was named for Cultural Leadership’s founder and serial social entrepreneur, Karen S. Kalish.  

At the 20^th anniversary celebration in December of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Susie Chasnoff, Bob Cohn, Adam Levin and Marlene Schuman were recognized by the St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights as Unsung S/Heroes. Chasnoff has participated in human rights activities for many years, most recently trying to secure trade justice internationally. Cohn, editor-in-chief emeritus of the St. Louis Jewish Light, is the chair of the St. Louis County Human Relations Commission, president of the United Nations Association of St. Louis and a past president of Legal Advocates for Abused Women, among other organizations. Cohn is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth. Levin is also a board member and is the recording secretary of the United Nations Association. Schuman is involved with several human rights organizations, including the Anti Racism Collective and the Jewish Voice for Peace. The St. Louis Coalition for Human Rights was founded in 1996 to promote the values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It works with other human rights organizations in the region to promote those values.  

The Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) has announced that Rabbi Cindy Enger, formerly of St. Louis,will become the organization’s director of rabbinic placement  effective July 1. Enger will be the first woman to ever hold the position in any Jewish movement. CCAR is the Reform rabbinic leadership organization.

Orthopedic Associates and Metropolitan Orthopedics integrated medical practices effective Jan. 1. The partnership, which is called Orthopedic Associates, combines 13 providers including Dr. Randy Aaranson, a podiatrist; Dr. Robert Kramer, a general orthopedic surgeon; and Dr. William Feinstein, a hand and upper extremity surgeon. Aaranson and Feinstein attend Shaare Emeth; Kramer is a member of United Hebrew. The practice is located at Orthopedic Associates’ office in West County.