JProStl, a professional association that provides training, resources and networking opportunities for staff at 50 not-for-profit Jewish organizations throughout St. Louis, will honor several individuals at its annual luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Dr. The theme of the program is “Honoring Professionals-Growing Community.” Recipients were chosen by a committee of JProStl leadership and former honorees representing colleagues from across the community. 

Michael Oberlander has been chosen as the recipient of the first JProStl Partnership award, recognizing a board leader who best exemplifies the lay-staff relationship through commitments to the Jewish community and St. Louis region, ethical leadership, Jewish values and acts of kindness. Oberlander is currently vice chair of Jewish Federation of St. Louis and board chair of the Repertory Theater of St. Louis. He is a past president of Hillel at Washington University St. Louis and has served on the boards of the JCC, Young Israel Congregation and H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy. Oberlander has been previously recognized with the JCC Richard Weiss Leadership Award, Esther Leah Ritz JCC Next Generation Award and Jewish Federation’s Grosberg Young Leadership Award. 

JProStl annually recognizes professionals from throughout the community in eight categories. This year’s honorees are Ellen Alper, Executive Director of National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section, who will receive the Visionary Award and Shiffy Landa, Judaic Studies Coordinator and Teacher at H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy, who will be honored with the Career Achievement Award.  

Rabbi Mordecai and Tzipporah Yaroslawitz will receive the Jewish Educator award. Together, they lead Kulanu Yachad, and Tzipporah is a teacher at Torah Prep School. Gail Wechsler, director of domestic issues and social justice at the Jewish Community Relations Council will receive the Pillar Award, and Jane Weinhaus, teacher at Deutsch Early Childhood at Temple Israel will receive the Chesed/Kindness Award. JCC professionals Matt Wever, senior director of facilities, will be honored with the Mentor Award and Erica Morris, BBYO program director, will receive the Emerging Leader Award. The Dedication award goes to Tim Vohsen, facilities manager at Crown Center for Senior Living. 

Co-chairs of the luncheon are Marianne Chervitz of the JCC and Jayne Langsam of Jewish Federation. 

The luncheon is $25 for guests and free of charge for staff who work at least 15 hours per week annually at a Jewish organization. Maryville University is the presenting sponsor for the luncheon. JProStl programs are made possible by the Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation. JProStl is affiliated with the Millstone Institute, an initiative of Jewish Federation of St. Louis and affiliated nationally with the JPro Network. To register and to donate to professional development in honor of the recipients, go to MillstoneSTL.org/JPro16. For information, contact Marci Mayer Eisen at 314-442-3810 or [email protected].