Sonia Dobinsky, Executive Director of the Central Agency for Jewish Education, and Lori Wishne, Jewish Federation Assistant Director of Development, are recipients of the 2011 Fred A. Goldstein Memorial Service Award for professional excellence.

Bob Millstone, Jewish Federation Chair, presented the award at a Federation Board of Trustees meeting recently.

Dobinsky has been working in the Jewish community since 1993, joining the CAJE staff in 1998. She started as a part-time program staff person, became interim Executive Director in 2006 and Executive Director in 2007. Prior to joining CAJE, she served as interim Religious School Director at Temple Israel and was a limited partner at Edward Jones where she was a trainer and human resource professional. A past board member at Saul Mirowitz Day School-Reform Jewish Academy and Temple Israel, Dobinsky has been married 27 years to Dan; the couple are parents of Melissa, 23, a teacher, and Jodi, 20, a college student.  

Wishne moved from Columbus, Ohio in 1989 to serve as Director of Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Young Professionals Division. Subsequently, she was Director of the Women’s Division and Business & Professional Women. As Assistant Director of Development, she oversees major gifts, which comprises 70 percent of Federation’s Annual Campaign. In addition, Wishne is active at B’nai Amoona, where she co-chairs the Youth Commission and has served on the Sisterhood Executive Board. She lives in Chesterfield with daughters Juliana, 18, and Barri, 16, both Parkway West students.

The Goldstein Award was established in 1965 by Ely Goldstein and his wife, Mary, to honor the memory of Ely’s late brother, Fred, who died in 1934. The Award recognizes outstanding professionals for their innovative achievements in Jewish community service.