Mirowitz gala to honor Levisons, Millstones

More than 400 supporters of Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School are expected to “Celebrate Broadway” on April 26 at the school’s annual gala. The evening will include a Broadway musical review emceed by actor Ben Nordstrom.

The event will honor Marilyn and Marty Levison, recipients of the school’s Community Service Award, and Colleen and Bob Millstone, recipients of the Meyer and Marcelle Kranzberg Visionary Award.

The Levisons were passionate about Mirowitz long before their twin grandsons started kindergarten there two years ago. 

“That was one of the most gratifying days of my life,” says Marty. Years earlier, they were a part of early conversations with Marilyn’s father, Saul Mirowitz, about the role a liberal Jewish day school could play in sustaining the Jewish community. Today, the school that bears Saul’s name benefits from the Levisons’ energies in countless ways. Marty volunteers as a Junior Achievement instructor, and Marilyn co-chairs the Grandparent’s Circle. Marilyn has also shared her 32 years of experience as an award-winning kindergarten teacher to consult on literacy curriculum and admissions testing.

Bob Millstone became president of Jewish Federation of St. Louis in September of 2011, the same month an announcement was made about the merger that would create Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. He had spent the previous year co-chairing a strategic initiative on Jewish day school sustainability, and now, he would serve as president while his committee’s visionary recommendation became reality. Recently, a different kind of sustainability was the topic of a lesson Bob’s wife Colleen brought to fourth graders at Mirowitz. Passionate about composting and sustainable agriculture, Colleen helped launch a project in which the Mirowitz students researched and designed compost bins they are now building for Mirowitz.

The gala also will recognize faculty and staff for their years of professional excellence. Suzanne Burack, Livnat Remi and Jamie Levison will be recognized for five years of professional excellence. Becky Lerner will be recognized for 10 years of professional excellence.

Tickets for “Celebrate Broadway: A Salute to Mirowitz” are $150 and include cocktails, show-tune entertainment, a live “Fund the Need” auction and dinner. Tickets also are included in sponsorship packages beginning at $1,000.

Dozens of volunteers, under the leadership of co-chairs Sherri Newstead and Renee Wasserman, are planning the celebration.  For more information or to reserve your seat, call 314-576-6177 or visit mirowitz.org.