The Jewish Federation of St. Louis has unveiled its 2025 award winners, who will be celebrated during the Evening of Impact on Feb. 19 at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum.
Honorees include Caroline Goldenberg and Joel Gotkin, recipients of the David N. and Roselin Grosberg Young Leadership Award and Rabbi Brad Horwitz, recipient of the Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award. CBD Kratom will receive the RubinBrown Corporate Leadership Award and Michael Staenberg will be recognized for his generosity and commitment as the newest inductee into the Federation’s Council of Life.
Caroline Goldenberg and Joel Gotkin
The David N. and Roselin Grosberg Young Leadership Award honors leaders under 45 who demonstrate dedication to the Federation’s mission through active volunteerism and leadership.
Caroline Goldenberg, a St. Louis native, is committed to advancing Jewish education and building connections within the community. She and her Israeli American husband, Etai, are raising five children while Caroline Goldenberg continues her leadership in several organizations. She’s served as the advisor for the Jewish Light’s Teen Page for 10 years, held a board role at Epstein Hebrew Academy and co-chaired the Women’s Philanthropy L’Chaim event in 2023. Caroline has also completed leadership programs such as the ADL Glass Leadership Institute and Millstone Fellows. When she’s not volunteering, she’s studying Hebrew, baking with her kids, or enjoying karaoke nights with friends.
Joel Gotkin has been involved with the Jewish Federation since moving to St. Louis in 2011. He and his wife co-chaired the Ben Gurion Society, where they helped foster connections among young adult donors through programming and events. Gotkin also sits on the Leadership Advisory Council and is active in the Federation’s Professional Society. Outside of his community work, Gotkin is a partner at Oliff PLC and teaches law as an adjunct professor. He and his wife, Laura, have a one-year-old son, Noah, and a goldendoodle named Pierson. The family enjoys traveling whenever they get the chance.
Honoring professional excellence: Rabbi Brad Horwitz
The Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award highlights Jewish professionals who lead with innovation and serve as role models in their organizations and the broader community.
Rabbi Brad Horwitz is the Chief Jewish Engagement Officer at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, where he has spent 19 years fostering meaningful Jewish connections. His work has helped the J become a hub for cultural, educational and spiritual programming, including the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival, the New Jewish Theatre and the JCC Maccabi Games.
Horwitz also leads programs for older adults and individuals with disabilities through the J’s Life Enrichment programs. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he earned his rabbinic ordination and a master’s in Jewish education. He and his wife, Mindy, have three adult children.
Celebrating corporate leadership: CBD Kratom
The RubinBrown Corporate Leadership Award recognizes companies committed to philanthropy and community support.
CBD Kratom, owned by Dafna Revah and David Palatnik, is the largest privately owned cannabis and kratom retailer in the country. The company actively supports Jewish Federation initiatives and fosters a culture of giving back to the St. Louis community.
Welcoming Michael Staenberg to the Council of Life
The Council of Life honors individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the Federation’s mission.
Staenberg’s dedication and generosity have made a lasting impact on the St. Louis Jewish community. His induction into the Council of Life acknowledges years of support and contributions that continue to shape and strengthen Jewish life in St. Louis.
Staenberg is the current president of the Jewish Light’s Board of Directors.
Event details
The 2025 Evening of Impact will take place at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, 36 Millstone Campus Drive. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Register at: https://www.jfedstl.org/evening-of-impact-registration-2025/
For more information, contact Amanda Miller at 314-442-3884 or [email protected].
