The wait is over and the names are in.

The St. Louis Jewish Light will honor its Unsung Heroes in its new Spring Magazine and at a public event at the Jewish Community Center the evening of May 24.

“There are those in our community who have not gotten the recognition they deserve for their outstanding contributions to the Jewish and broader population,” said Light Publisher/CEO Larry Levin. “Our Unsung Heroes award is a way to pay tribute to these very special individuals and their commitment to bettering people’s lives.”

The Light received a great many nominations for the Heroes recognition. “The response was strong, particularly for our very first Heroes awards,” said Light Editor Ellen Futterman. :”We want to thank these exceptional individuals and more importantly, have the community thank them for their service.”

The Heroes have been chosen from a variety of different areas of volunteerism and work in the community. Social services, medicine, community relations and education are but a few of the many areas that have been enriched by the lives of these Heroes.

The Heroes will be recognized with profiles in the Light’s new Spring Magazine, set for publication in late May. Advance copies of the magazine will be available at the event honoring the Heroes on May 24.

The event, to be held in the Carl and Helene Mirowitz Center of the JCC’s newly renovated Arts and Education Center, will be chaired by Sheri Sherman and Betsy Rubinstein and promises to be a joyous celebration of the Heroes’ accomplishments.

“Our goal for the Light has been to connect our community,” said Light President Gianna Jacobson. “What better to do so than to bring people together to talk about some of our community members who have given so much of themselves, typically with no desire to bring attention to themselves. Our lives are enriched by the work they do and the time they commit to selfless efforts, whether through volunteering or exceptional efforts in their work.”

“We are thrilled to host such a great event for the community,” said Sherman. “Betsy and I look forward to a great gathering with the honorees, their families and friends, and the community at large congratulating them for their amazing accomplishments.”

The Heroes that will be honored are:

• the Ahavas Chesed Society

• the Girls of Block Yeshiva

• Lolle Boettcher

• Leslie Caplan

• Phillip Fox

• Sarijane M. Freiman

• Margaret Gillerman

• Dan Glazier

• James M. Lemen

• Elise Levy

• Carl Moskowitz

• Dr. Harry Offenbach

• Judy Pearlstone

• Marilyn Ratkin

• Ken Rubin

• Ben Senturia

• Dotty Pressman-Tepper

Announcements will be provided in the Light about the May 24 event.