More than 450 supporters of Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School will celebrate “Mirowitz in Bloom” on Sunday, May 5 at the school’s annual gala. The evening will highlight the generations of students who have bloomed into capable and ethical leaders at the school. The event will celebrate individuals and foundations whose passion shapes our community.  

The Silk Foundation, led by Susan Godwin Kofkoff, Richard Kofkoff and the late Gary Godwin, will receive the Meyer and Marcelle Kranzberg Visionary Award. Martin Silk’s family remembers him as a collector of old clocks and cars, a teller of corny jokes, and a dapper dresser. His dedication to supporting Jewish causes, though, has been his lasting legacy. Prior to his death in 2006, he directed that his estate establish a foundation to support organizations that enhance Jewish life. Among the beneficiaries of The Silk Foundation is Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. 

“My uncle would have been so pleased with the scholarships we’ve established for students at Mirowitz,” says Silk’s niece Susan Kofkoff. “Not only does the school give children a Jewish lens through which to navigate, but the school’s reputation for excellence attracts discerning young families to St. Louis. We all benefit from that.” 

In addition to Mirowitz, The Silk Foundation has funded scholarships for Jewish students, and grants to Jewish Federation, New Jewish Theatre, Crown Center, Covenant Place and Wash U Hillel. 

Stephen and Darien Arnstein will receive the Community Service Award. They began a tag-team of leadership at Solomon Schechter Day School of St. Louis more than 30 years ago when their sons were students there. Darien chaired enrollment and development committees, and coordinated the capital campaign for the Chodorovsky school building. Together, they co-chaired the Annual Schechter Dinner with two other couples. When Darien completed her board term, Stephen joined the board, becoming involved on the financial aid committee, and later serving as the board’s secretary and president. 

Darien has served on the boards of Shaare Zedek Synagogue (Kol Rinah), Women’s Division of Jewish Federation, and as President of National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis. Stephen has served on the boards of Jewish Federation, Congregation B’nai Amoona, Hillel and the Jewish Free Loan Society. 

“Susan, Richard, Gary, Stephen and Darien set an example of communal responsibility and leadership,” says Cheryl Maayan, Head of School. “They are role models for our students, and we are thankful that Mirowitz is among their priorities.”  

“Mirowitz in Bloom” also will honor teachers and staff who are celebrating five and 10 years at Mirowitz including five-year-employees Carla Kaplan, Rabbi Scott Slarskey, Mary Wagner and Kara Dudley, and 10-year-employees Sue Lapp, Dafna Kadan, Shannon Rohlman and Val Toskin.

Co-chairs of the event are Mirowitz alumnae Rebecca Rubin-Schlansky and Carly Sparks.

Donors will match the contributions of new gala sponsors and donors. The Silk Foundation and Susan and Richard Kofkoff will match any new sponsorships, and the Staenberg Family Foundation will match any new or increased gift to the gala’s Fund the Need auction. 

Visit www.mirowitz.org/gala to buy tickets, sponsor the gala, make a Fund the Need gift, or purchase a tribute. For more information, call Margo Newman, 314-576-6177.