Kara Jacobson, 2014 graduate of Parkway North High School (PNHS), was awarded the 2014 Singer of the Year and Most Valuable Player award of the Fine Arts Department. Kara was the only PNHS student to make the All State Jazz Choir and All State Choir this year. Last year she took her a cappella group to the International High School A Cappella competition and came in third place. Daughter of Terri and Gene Jacobson of Creve Coeur and a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Kara will be attending Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. in the fall. She is entering the music education program where she received its highest talent and academic scholarships. Kara plans to teach high school and college level choir and a cappella groups.

Former St. Louisian Amy Tabachnick Watson and her husband Keith, recently released their St. Louis line of vintage themed T-shirts. Their company, Bygone Brand (bygonebrand.com) currently has four St. Louis designs available: The Parkmoor, Forest Park Highlands, Noah’s Ark and Pevely Dairy. More designs are set to be released this summer. The shirts are locally available at the Missouri History Museum.

At the fourth annual Lift for Life Academy Fashion Show & Gala, Gloria  and Sanford Spitzer were recognized with the Founders’ Award for their longtime support of the academy. Gloria, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona, was also selected as one of the Jewish Light’s 2014 Unsung Heroes for her work with the Crown Center’s Home Delivery Volunteers. Carol and Michael Staenberg were given the Community Partner Award for their corporate support of the academy and the improvement it has brought students.

Michael Packman, a financial advisor for MEMBERS Financial Services through Arsenal Credit Union, has been named to CUNA Brokerage Services’ Senior Advisor Leadership Team. This distinction is awarded to a limited number of financial advisors who demonstrate exceptional sales productivity success, exhibit leadership within their credit union and peer groups, and have a specific seniority within the broker-dealer. Packman is a member of Temple Israel.

Bob Cohen recently founded Cohen Marketing & Consulting, focusing on helping small-to-medium size businesses achieve their goals through strategic marketing initiatives. Cohen, who has a background of working at advertising agencies and media buying services, is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Local youth groups recently held elections for their new board of directors. The newly elected presidents are:

BAUSY, Congregation B’nai Amoona’s USY chapter, elected Kyla Gersten, as president. Daughter of Laura Shapiro and Mark Gersten, Kyla will be a senior at Parkway Central High School in the fall and will be co-managing editor of  the Jewish Light’s Ohr Chadash (“New Light” in Hebrew) Teen Page. KRSTL, Kol Rinah’s USY chapter, elected its new president, Alex Zvibelman. He is the son of Patty Herzog and Mark Zvibelman. This fall, he will be a senior at Parkway Central High School.

The BBYO St. Louis Council chose Michelle Koverman, a student at Parkway Central High School, as the BBG president. She is the daughter of Eugenia and Gene Koverman and attends United Hebrew Congregation. 

Sam Kahn, a student at Ladue Horton Watkins High School,is the new AZA president. He is the son of Barbara and Alan Kahn and attends Congregation Shaare Emeth. Both Michelle and Sam will be seniors in the fall.

Zoey Fleisher and Noah Hartman are the new co-presidents of CRFTY, Central Reform Congregation’s NFTY chapter. Zoe is the daughter of Amy and Rabbi Randy Fleisher and will be a sophomore at Crossroads College Preparatory School. Noah is the son of Margie and Brad Hartman and will be a junior at Parkway North High School in the fall. 

Michelle Bennett is the incoming president of the NFTY-SETYG chapter of Congregation Shaare Emeth. She is the daughter of Amy and Rabbi Jim Bennett and will be a senior at Parkway Central High School.  

Congregation Temple Israel’s NFTY chapter, TIFTY, re-elected Kelsey Culp who will begin her second tem as president. Daughter of Jennifer and Cory Culp, Kelsey will be a senior at American High School. UHTYG, 

United Hebrew Congregation’s NFTY chapter, elected Matt Frischer to lead the organization. Son of Helene and Phil Frischer, Matt will be a senior this fall at Parkway Central High School. Matt is also a staff writer on the Light’s Teen Page.

Rachel Krug received the Sondra Sheinbein-Koshner award in recognition for her outstanding leadership in Congregation B’nai Amoona’s youth department. Daughter of Elise and Mark Krug of Creve Coeur, Rachel will be a junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School in the fall.

Marci Fendelman, English/Language Arts teacher and English department chair at Hardin Middle School in St. Charles, received the Peabody Energy Leaders in Education award. She was one of 30 winners out of 480 applicants in the Midwest. Fendelman received a check from the company and will attend the Leaders in Education dinner reception in August in which one of the attendees will be named Outstanding Educator of 2014. The Peabody Energy Leaders in Education program supports educators who foster the future workforce and prepare students to compete in a global marketplace.

Lindsay Cohen has joined Esse Health’s Florissant and Richmond Heights offices as a registered dietitian. Cohen is a member of United Hebrew Congregation.

Sheldon Weinhaus, founder of the National Legal Resource Network (NLRN), is stepping down as director. NLRN is comprised of leading health care attorneys who volunteer for the benefit of patients facing complex healthcare challenges. Weinhaus is an attorney and partner with Weinhaus & Potashnick, specializing in healthcare and insurance issues.