During a gala event Sunday, March 8, Jewish Student Union will honor Galia and Milton Movitz, Melanie and Dan Winograd and pay special tribute to Sean Rochester, JSU Faculty Advisor at Parkway Central High School, for their dedication to strengthening the Jewish identity of St. Louis youth and their connection to Israel. 

“The Movitzes are no stranger to Jewish communal life.  They have left their unique imprint on so many of our Jewish institutions through their communal involvement, all with the goal of strengthening Jewish identity and engagement,” said Michael Rauchman, JSU Advisory Board Chairman. 

The couple represents “the level of Jewish commitment and connection to Israel that we strive to infuse in the JSUers,” said Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, JSU Founder and Director. “The Movitzes are a dynamic duo full of energy, passion and total devotion to Jewish continuity.” 

Galia Movitz is a past president of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, and has served on the boards of the Jewish Federation, national Women’s Philanthropy, Central Agency for Jewish Education, Hillel and AJC. Milton Movitz is a past president of the Jewish Light, chair of the Legacy of Learning Campaign, and has served on the boards of the Jewish Federation, MERS-Goodwill and Camp Sabra.  He was one of the founders of the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. The Movitzes are members of B’nai Amoona Congregation.

The Winograds have either served on the JSU Advisory Board or chaired the JSU Gala for the past five years.  Dan Winograd was selected to be a Millstone Fellow for the Jewish Federation Millstone Institute, and he is an active board member of Aish HaTorah St. Louis for 13 years, including a four-year stint as president. Melanie Winograd is an involved parent at both Epstein Hebrew Academy and Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. She co-chaired the Mothers Action Committee through the Jewish Community Center and was active in Federation’s Young Professionals Division and other Federation committees. The Winorads are members of Young Israel and Nusach Hari B’nai Zion. 

JSU operates 13 extracurricular clubs in 12 public and private high schools in the St. Louis area. Each club has a volunteer school faculty member who serves as school supervisor and JSU/School liaison. When JSU was in need of a new faculty advisor, Sean Rochester eagerly volunteered to fill the role at Parkway Central. Rochester is a beloved faculty member at the school, Rovinsky said. “One just needs to see the dozens of students that come up to him on a regular basis seeking his assistance and guidance not just on school matters but important life issues as well.” Sean is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

The gala will take place at Clayton High School Commons, 1 Mark Twain Circle. Dinner starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $125, with sponsorship levels available. To RSVP for the gala or for more information on JSU please visit jsustl.org/gala or contact Rabbi Mike Rovinsky at 314-498-6279 or [email protected]. The gala is being chaired by Rick Kodner and Gail Brody, along with Dr. Ethan and Debby Schuman. Honorary Chairs are Paul and Diane Gallant, Stanley and Rhonnie Goldfeder, Michael and Leslie Litwack, Howard and Phyllis Loiterstein and Alvin and June Wolff.