Jews in the News: February 1, 2017

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT:  Mitch Baris, (Nadiv) Levi Rose, Robin Feder and Jeff Fox. SECOND ROW: Ellen Levy Siwak, Marshall Cohen, Barry Glantz, Jan Goldstein and Sally Katzif. THIRD ROW: Ellen Alper, Nick Smith, Steven Woolf, Sarah Falkoff and Jayme Fingerman. FOURTH ROW:  Linda Horwitz, Leonard Adreon, Gary Follman, Eric Weitz and Harvey Wolf.

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT:  Mitch Baris, (Nadiv) Levi Rose, Robin Feder and Jeff Fox. SECOND ROW: Ellen Levy Siwak, Marshall Cohen, Barry Glantz, Jan Goldstein and Sally Katzif. THIRD ROW: Ellen Alper, Nick Smith, Steven Woolf, Sarah Falkoff and Jayme Fingerman. FOURTH ROW:  Linda Horwitz, Leonard Adreon, Gary Follman, Eric Weitz and Harvey Wolf.

Mitch Baris has been promoted to director of fee businesses for Enterprise Bank & Trust.  A member of United Hebrew Congregation, Baris is responsible for running the tax credit services, mortgage and wealth management areas.

Tom Streckfuss was one of two St. Louis police officers honored at the 47th annual Crusade Against Crime Medal of Valor award ceremony for their role in the April 19 fatal shooting of a carjacking suspect.

Whitfield School freshman (Nadiv) Levi Rose has been accepted into the American Hebrew Academy Honor Society. The honor society recognizes the best and the brightest eighth- and ninth-grade students from around the world who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, community service and character. Levi is the son of Paulie and Rabbi Carnie Rose of Congregation B’nai Amoona.

The Ladue Horton Watkins High School alumni committee, in conjunction with the Ladue Education Foundation, has announced the 17 recipients of its  inaugural award, Ladue Local Heroes. The award  recognizes and honors alumni who have made significant contributions to the St. Louis community in their fields. Among the 17 are Robin Feder (1969), Jeff Fox (1978), Judge Ellen Levy Siwak (1981), Marshall Cohen (1979), Creve Coeur Mayor Barry Glantz (1978), Jan Goldstein (1973), Sally Katzif (1969), Ellen Alper (1976), and Nick Smith (1980).

Steven Woolf, artistic director of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, has received the 2017 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts award from the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis. In its 26th year, the St. Louis Arts Awards honors individuals, organizations and businesses that achieve a legacy of artistic excellence and enrich St. Louis’ arts and cultural community.

Sarah Falkoff, Jayme Fingerman and Linda Horwitz have been recognized by Congregation Temple Israel with the Pillar of the Temple Award. This award recognizes volunteers, staff and lay leaders who have gone above and beyond in their roles and have exhibited profound leadership and dedication to the mission of Temple Israel. Past presidents Leonard Adreon and Gary Follman were given the P.A.C.E. award for their history of serving the congregation in multiple leadership capacities.

Rabbi Yerachmiel Frank and Chavie Frank will be honored at Agudas Israel of St. Louis’ annual dinner March 5 at the Clayton Plaza Hotel. They represent the highest ideal of Torah and middos tovos (good traits) setting an outstanding example for the entire kehilla (congregation). A founding member of the St. Louis Kollel, Rabbi Frank is vice president of education for Agudas Israel and is acting liaison between the Chofetz Chaim Heritage Foundation and the St. Louis Jewish community. Chavie Frank has been on the teaching staff of Torah Prep School for 30 years.

Former St. Louisan Eric Weitz has been appointed chairman of the Philadelphia Bar Association Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention. He will lead the 30-person commission and help direct its 120-person investigative division in vetting judicial candidates seeking  election. Weitz is a managing partner of Jonathan M. Cohen LLC in Philadelphia.

Harvey Wolf has been elected to the board of the Southern Illinois Builders Association as first vice president. A member of Kol Rinah, he is vice-president of L. Wolf Construction.