Margaret W. Cohen, associate provost for professional development at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, was honored with the Vice Provost’s Award for “an individual who has significantly contributed to student engagement and development at UMSL.” She is the founding director of the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning and has been a member of the faculty since 1980. Cohen served on the boards of the Gifted Resource Council, Cultural Leadership and Temple Emanuel, where she is a member. She retired Sept. 1.

Congregation Temple Israel welcomes Melanie Thiede as administrative assistant to the executive director and board of trustees. She is affiliated with Congregation B’nai Amoona.

ALIVE Media Group co-founder and publisher Elizabeth Tucker has been selected as one of the FOLIO: 100, chosen by Folio: magazine, a resource for media professionals. Tucker was named as a “Revenue Generator” for having surpassed the status quo in her market in areas of revenue and content. She was honored  Oct. 21 at the Folio: 100 Awards Luncheon during the MediaNext Conference at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Tucker is a member of Central Reform Congregation.

Mavrik Jewelry owner Igal Alon is moving to a new jewelry store at 11220 Manchester Road, still in the Kirkwood area. The new store includes a drive-thru repair window and a computer-aided design station where customers can work with jewelers and see their custom creations at their conception onscreen. Mavrik is planning a prolonged soft opening (its Facebook page lists a grand opening from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20) in November and full transition in January. 

After 17 years in the investment business, Larry Shapiro recently returned to full-time clinical practice as a psychologist at the St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute’s Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders. He treats all anxiety disorders, specializing in combat-related PTSD, perfectionism and executive/sales associated anxiety. Shapiro also started a consulting practice, Quantum Behavioral LLC, specializing in behavioral finance. Shapiro is a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona.

Abby Miller was recently crowned Ladue High School homecoming queen. She is the daughter of Rachel Kranzberg Miller and Adam Miller of Olivette. Abby attends Kol Rinah with her family. 

Parkway North High School students Abby Lammers and Amanda Lopatin, and Parkway Central’s Danielle Serota, were among 26 Parkway high school seniors named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Semifinalists are drawn from fewer than 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors. These academically talented students have an opportunity to continue in the competition for 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $33 million. Abby, the daughter of Vicki Platke and Jim Lammers, will study environmental engineering in the fall. After graduation, Amanda and Danielle plan to make aliyah to Israel through the Garin Tzabar program and will serve in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). After their service in the IDF, they will attend college. Danielle is the daughter of Pearl Serota and Harvey Serota, and Amanda’s parents are Cheri and Brian Lopatin. The Platkes are members of Congregation Shaare Emeth; the Lopatins and Serotas attend Congregation B’nai Amoona. 

After selling his family business, MMG Corp., which designs and manufactures men’s neckwear and accessories, Don Eisenberg recently opened the Exercise Coach, a national franchise of innovative, high-tech fitness studios. Exercise Coach caters to those with busy schedules, offering two weekly 20-minute sessions with personal coaches are at   locations in Webster Groves and Town & Country. Several more area locations are planned.  Eisenberg is a member of Nusach Hari Bnai Zion.

Washington University Clinical Associates welcomed internist Dr. Scott Wasserstrom to the Maryland Medical Group. He has clinical interest in the management of asthma, diabetes and heart disease and is accepting new patients. 

Paul Goldblum, recently named president of Ultra-Color Corp., is the third generation to lead the printing company. As president, Goldblum oversees business development;  general, vendor and facilities management; and budgeting, policies and procedures. Goldblum is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Steven B. Spewakhas been elected president of the Society of Financial Service Professionals–Greater St. Louis Chapter. Founder and principal attorney of Estate Plan Strategies LLC, Spewak is a member of United Hebrew Congregation.

Sweet Somethings is a new personalized baking company started by Rachel Katzman. Katzman bakes all of her items from scratch and offers  a variety of items, from cookies, bars, granola and muffins to custom party trays. She is a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona.

Howard J. Levinson has released a new book, “The Tapping,” described as “a tale of grisly murders, organized crime, law-enforcement corruption and supernatural forces.” Levinison, a 25-year law-enforcement veteran, and is clinical director of health care fraud investigations for the special investigations unit of a national health insurance company. “The Tapping” is available in paperback and e-book through Amazon.com. Levinson will be a featured speaker at the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival’s “Missouri’s Own” panel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. 

Eric Goldstein has joined the Good Shepherd School for Children board of directors. He will help raise funds and increase awareness on therapy and support of special needs children in an early learning center. Goldstein is senior vice president at Krauter & Co. and is a member of United Hebrew Congregation.

Lawyers in the area who have been chosen for inclusion in the 2014 Super Lawyers publication are Richard P. Sher, David S. Corwin, Bradley A. Winters, Alan C. Kohn, Gary Growe, Rick Eisen and Michelle Spirn. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.