Michael Staenberg will receive the Frank L. Weil Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Jewish Community Center Field by a Lay Leader at the upcoming JCC Association of North America Biennial in Memphis in May. 

Lynn Wittels, President and CEO of the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis, nominated him for the award. “Our J’s most recent history has been defined by the work of Michael Staenberg (with Carol’s encouragement), and our community benefits today from the investments he’s made over the past 12 years, including an astounding amount of time, expertise and financial resources,” Wittels said in a statement. “We are so grateful for his dedication to our J — his work has impacted thousands and thousands of lives.”

In St. Louis, the J’s Staenberg Family Complex and Camp Sabra, which sits on the Staenberg Peninsula at the camp’s Lake of the Ozarks location, are well-known recipients of funding from the Staenberg Family Foundation — but Staenberg has also lent expertise and financial resources to lead improvements at JCCs (and some JCC residential camps) in Denver, Omaha, St. Paul and Kansas City. 

“I’m honored to receive this award,” Staenberg said in a statement. “I believe strongly in the JCC mission. I grew up at the J in Omaha. It’s where I met my friends and learned many life lessons. I came straight to the J when I moved here. I believe in its power to change lives, and I believe it is incumbent upon all of us to keep it strong, financially sound and vibrant for our future generations.” 

For more information about the upcoming biennial (May 6-8), visit jcca.org.  Staenberg will be also be featured at a panel discussion entitled, “Great Facilities, Great Leaders” from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 6.