Alan Eidelman, a junior at Butler University, is recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Outstanding Students on campus. These students are honored for their campus leadership, community involvement and academic performance. Alan is pursuing a master’s degree in accountancy and is the son of Debbie and Zamir Eidelman who attend Congregation B’nai Amoona. 

Former St. Louisans, Jonny Umansky and Zach Hyatt, will pen the script and executive produce a new TV show for Fox titled “Boost Unit.” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is developing the show, following a new recruit — and former getaway driver — to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Auto Theft Task Force. 

Rabbi Ari Kaiman of Congregation B’nai Amoona will take the pulpit of Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta on July 15. Kaiman has served as assistant rabbi at B’nai Amoona since 2011. 

 The Variety Children’s Charity of St. Louis will honor Ken Kranzberg as Man of the Year during an event April 16 at Peabody Opera House.  Active in industry and civic affairs, and serving on the boards of many local institutions, Kranzberg has said he most proud of his efforts to revitalize both Grand Center and the city’s Old North neighborhood.

Nancy Lieberman, founder of GO! St. Louis®, will step down as president effective June 30. She will continue with the organization in a community development role. 

Attorneys Justin Gelfand and Michael Kahn have been elected shareholders of Capes Sokol law firm. Gelfand focuses his practice primarily on criminal and white-collar defense, internal investigations, criminal tax and litigation. Kahn is an intellectual property lawyer and an adjunct professor at Washington University School of Law where he teaches an upper level course on censorship and free expression. A member of Central Reform Congregation, Kahn is also the award winning author of the Rachel Gold mystery series and two other novels. 

Author Sally Ember has released her third volume in The Spanners Series, titled “This Is/Is Not the Way I Want to Change.” The Jewish-themed utopian and science fiction series is available in paperback and ebooks. Ember was recently appointed to the board of the St. Louis Publishers Association as its publicity chair. 

Drs. Carole Baskin and Alan Zelicoff have co-edited “Ensuring National Biosecurity,” a professional reference illuminating the current state of Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) for life scientists. This work examines major laws, regulations, policies and guidelines affecting national biosecurity, questioning whether they are currently helping or hurting, and ultimately making recommendations for the best way forward. Baskin, a member of Kol Rinah, is associate professor and director of MPH Programs at the College for Public Health and Social Justice at St. Louis University. Zelicoff is a professor of Environmental & Occupational Health at SLU. 

Stacy Abeles has been promoted to executive director of development for the March of Dimes Missouri Chapter. Abeles is responsible for leading a regional development team in the St. Louis and Southeastern Missouri markets. She will oversee revenue development, strategic planning, volunteer leadership and staff development, as well as financial management. Abeles attends Kol Rinah.

Karen Kalish has been selected from a pool of 600 nominees as a 2015 Purpose Prize Fellow. The Purpose Prize is the nation’s only large-scale investment in people over the age of 60 who combine their life skills and talents for social good. It aims to recognize social innovators with the drive to tackle some of society’s most pressing challenges. Kalish is the founder and executive director of HOME WORKS! The Teacher Home Visit Program. 

Governor Jay Nixon appointed Nancy Brody to the State Committee of Dietitians for a two-year term. The committee ensures the health, safety and welfare of Missouri citizens by licensing and regulating qualified/competent dietitians. A member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Brody is a clinical dietitian at Ranken Jordan Pediatrics Bridge Hospital. 

Martin Rochester is now an affiliated professor of the University of Haifa. A member of Shaare Emeth, Rochester is the Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. 

Jayne Langsam has joined the board of directors of Ready Readers. She heads the Jewish Federation’s Concierge for Families with Young Children program. Langsam attends Congregation Temple Israel. 

The Anti-Defamation League of Missouri/Southern Illinois and Cheryl Maayan were two of nine St. Louis Superheroes selected by Metro Theater Company, highlighting the theme of using personal strengths to serve others. They were honored during the performances of “And In This Corner…Cassius Clay.” ADL is the only agency ever to receive this honor. Karen Aroesty, ADL’s regional director and a member of Kol Rinah, and Tabari Coleman accepted the award on ADL’s behalf. Maayan, head of school at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, is being recognized as a guardian of childhood committed to student learning that is significant and meaningful. A member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Maayan is using “And In This Corner…” as a precursor for next year’s middle school Civil Rights curriculum. 

Dennis Lazaroff has joined RubinBrown as a tax manager. His focus is on providing state and local tax compliance planning and consulting services to clients. Lazaroff is a member of Temple Israel.

Shula Neuman has been named executive editor of St. Louis Public Radio 90.7 KWMU. She will manage the newsrooms’ reporters, producers and editor. 

Lena Pearlman expanded her therapy practice by opening a new clinic, adding four therapists and a part-time psychiatrist. The practice specializes in relationships, anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, ADHD, OCD, addiction, and other mental health related concerns. The therapists see individuals, couples, and families in the Creve Coeur practice. A member of United Hebrew Congregation, Pearlman serves as an adjunct professor at University of New England.

James Kolker has been promoted to associate vice chancellor and university architect at Washington University. He is the school’s first officially designated architect. His role has expanded to include helping lead planning and design of all university facilities and campuses, including advising the medical school campus.

The Clayton Chamber of Commerce named Adam Birenbaum, chief executive officer for Buckingham and BAM Advisor Services, Business Person of the Year. He is a member of Shaare Emeth.