JSU will celebrate 14 years of inspiring Jewish teens at its Annual Gala on March 19 at the Clayton Plaza. JSU will honor Gloria Feldman and Marcy and Rick Cornfeld for their ongoing dedication and commitment to strengthen the Jewish identity and engagement of our most precious resource, the youth of St. Louis. JSU will also pay special tribute to Erica Morris, former St. Louis BBYO Director, for her accomplishments in increasing teen engagement and cross organizational collaboration.  

JSU will present Gloria Feldman with its Jewish Engagement Award. A Holocaust survivor, Feldman has a long history of philanthropy with local, national and international organizations. She and her late husband, Rubin, devoted their energy and resources to organizations whose mission is to build a bright and vibrant Jewish future. The Feldman family has been deeply involved with the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center of St. Louis, and in 2014, the museum established the Gloria and Rubin Feldman Family Education Institute.

“What is most special about Gloria, is that she does not wait to be approached. Rather, she seeks out ways to make a difference,” said Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, founder and director of St. Louis JSU. “We are very excited about our special announcement that will be made at the gala demonstrating Gloria’s vision, generosity and commitment to uniting and strengthening the Jewish identity of our youth.”

Marcy and Rick Cornfeld will receive JSU’s Israel Engagement Award. The Cornfelds co-chair the AIPAC St. Louis Council. As members of AIPAC’s National Council they devote much of their time traveling back and forth to Washington, meeting with elected officials on behalf of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Both have also served on the board of United Hebrew Congregation, and Rick Cornfeld has served as the congregation’s board president.  Marcy Cornfeld has been the chair of the United Hebrew Israel Committee (“Focus Israel UH” ) since its inception over a decade ago. Together Marcy and Rick are the chairs of the Federation Kehilla Society.  

JSU will also honor Erica Morris, who attended Parkway Central High School where she was involved in BBYO and her JSU club. Following earning her graduate degree, Morris returned to St. Louis to serve as the St. Louis BBYO Program director.

Gala co-chairs are Elaine Farkas, Gail Brody and Rick Kodner and Marci Rosenberg. 

JSU has clubs in 14 public and private schools. It also developed the Galia and Milton Movitz’s Senator John Danforth Israel Scholars Program, which inspires and educates teens and adults regarding Israel. JSU is funded in part by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, The Kranzberg Foundation, Lubin-Green Foundation, Staenberg Foundation, The Martin Silk Foundation, NCSY and a variety of local donors. 

To learn more about JSU or to RSVP for the gala, visit JSUSTL.org or call 314-696-0578.