School gala plans to share ‘The Magic of Mirowitz’

Supporters of Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School will experience the “Magic of Mirowitz” at the school’s annual gala at the Ritz Carlton on Sunday, April 6. 

In addition to a performance by illusionist Michael Barron, the event will celebrate Mindy and Rabbi Brad Horwitz, recipients of the Community Service Award, and Sandy and Ken Birenbaum, recipients of the Meyer and Marcelle Kranzberg Visionary Award. 

For many years, Rabbi Horwitz was immersed in strategic planning for the day school’s growth, serving on the board of directors while Mindy chaired school events, galas and PTO endeavors. 

Rabbi Horwitz is also the director of the Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, serves on the Jewish Fund for Human Needs and is a past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association. 

Mindy Horwitz is on the board of directors of Kol Rinah and has been on several Nishmah program committees.

The Birenbaums were visionaries long before they launched the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School’s Grandparent’s Circle, which organizes social and fundraising activities for grandparents who want to support their grandchildren’s school. 

Ken, an entrepreneur and inventor, has been a leader on the boards of Mirowitz, Shaare Emeth, Union for Reform Judaism’s North American board and the Mussar Institute. He was a member of the inaugural merged Mirowitz board and was a visionary during the strategic planning process. 

Sandy Birenbaum is a retired special education teacher who is aware of the effect one-to-one connections can make, especially in the lives of children with special needs. She volunteers in the Mirowitz library and is helping in the effort to reinvigorate the Rubin Library at Shaare Emeth.

“The Magic of Mirowitz” also will recognize teachers and faculty for years of professional excellence. Carol Rubin, the school’s director of Jewish life, will be honored for 15 years of service. Patti Boggs, Joy Fisher, Lori Ginsparg, Dafna Kadan, Sue Lapp and Shannon Rohlman will be recognized for five years of professional excellence. 

Tickets for “The Magic of Mirowitz” are $150 and include cocktails, entertainment and dinner. Tickets also are included in sponsorship packages beginning at $1,000.

Dozens of volunteers under the leadership of Sue Matlof and Lindsey Glass are working to plan the celebration, which is being underwritten with support from sponsors including Barbara Mirowitz; the Cherrick, Karsh and Rosenthal families; Gladys K Crown Foundation; Nancy and Randy Green; Adrienne Momi; Nancy and Ron Chod; the Birenbaum, Hoberman and Strauss Family; Noemi and Michael Neidorff; Ellen and Jack Deutsch; Marilyn and Marty Levison; Pam and Ron Rubin; the Staenberg Family Foundation; Mindy and Rabbi Brad Horwitz; Marsha and David Soshnik; Rita and Ed Balk; Judy and Larry Deutsch; Pam and Ken Lester; Galia and Milton Movitz; Gianna Jacobson and Todd Siwak; and Arlene and Rabbi Jeffrey Stiffman.

For more information, call Margo Newman, director of development, at 314-576-6177 or visit mirowitz.org.