The Esptein Hebrew Academy will honor Dr. Gustav and Miriam Schonfeld at its 67th Annual Scholarship Banquet on Tuesday, March 9.

The Schonfelds have been active in many Jewish organizations in the St. Louis community. The Schonfelds’ three children attended the Epstein Hebrew Academy.

The community is invited to join the Academy in honoring the Schonfelds by contributing to the event; tributes will be recognized in the school’s Scroll of Honor. The event will benefit Epstein Hebrew Academy’s scholarship fund.

The event takes place at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Avenue. Seating for the dinner will take place at 6:45 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m.

The evening will include a delicious meal, inspirational speeches and a dessert buffet. Guests will hear from Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, of Kehilath Jeshrun Congregation and Principal of Ramaz Day School in New York City.

Dr. Schonfeld is a renowned medical researcher, clinician and Professor Emeritus of Medicine who served as Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University Medical School. A Shoah survivor, he is a frequent speaker about his experiences in the Holocaust. He has recently published his autobiography, “Absence of Closure.” The Schonfelds have been active in many Jewish organizations in the St. Louis community.

Epstein’s Head of School, Rabbi Shmuel Kay said the Schonfelds have been strong advocates of Jewish education over the years. “We are pleased to have the Schonfelds as our honorees for this year’s Epstein Hebrew Academy Banquet,” he said. “Dr. Schonfeld is not only a former parent of children at the school but also a Holocaust survivor, author and dedicated doctor and mentor to the medical community, which includes some of our EHA parents.”

“The Epstein Hebrew Academy is such an important institution in the St. Louis community,” said Rabbi Kay. “This is our 67th year of educating Jewish children from all socio-economic backgrounds and a wide range of abilities. It is our mission to educate all Jewish children who seek a Jewish education in a child-centered, Zionist environment.”

Adinah Raskas, Co-chair of the dinner along with Darla Grossberg, noted that the Schonfelds have been involved with the school for more than 40 years. “The Schonfelds’ three children, Josh, Julia and Jeremy attended the Hebrew Academy,” Raskas said.

“As a Shoah survivor he and Miriam have perpetuated Jewish continuity in their family through their commitment to Jewish education,” she said. “In addition to his medical accomplishments, Gus has assumed a major role in Holocaust education in our community and nationally. We look forward to the community joining us as we pay tribute to our distinguished honorees,” she said.

In a statement, the school noted that Epstein educators have attended the Lookstein Institute in Israel, named after the guest speaker’s father, of blessed memory. The school also currently holds classes with educators at the institute through videoconferencing.

For reservations or further information on the Scroll of Honor, contact Gayle Chazen at EHA, 314-994-7856 or [email protected], or event chairpersons Darla Grossberg or Adinah Raskas. Parking for the event will be free in the Crowne Plaza garage.