They’re student leaders, Shabbat organizers and regulars at youth programs across the St. Louis Jewish community. Now, four high schoolers are adding a major honor to their resumes—the 2025 Stuart I. Pessin Award.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis announced that Jacob Berger, Esther Howley, Meira Levison and Mimsy Staum have been selected for this year’s award. The annual recognition highlights teens who show a strong commitment to Jewish life and leadership in St. Louis.

The award, drawn from the Stuart I. Pessin Scholarship Fund, complements Federation’s broader Israel grant programs. Each year, it helps a small group of students fund Jewish learning and experiences—often in Israel—based on merit and involvement in Jewish life.

Meet the 2025 recipients

Jacob Berger, a sophomore at Parkway Center High School and member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, is involved in student council, the boys golf team, marching band and Jewish Student Union (JSU), where he serves as vice president. This summer, he’ll head to Israel with NCSY TJJ.

Esther Howley is a senior at Esther Miller Bais Yaakov (EMBY) and belongs to U City Shul. She’s helped lead her school’s Shabbaton, Lag B’Omer retreat and Big Sister Little Sister program, and is active in United Jewish Sisters and the Jewish Girls Shabbat Youth Group. She’ll attend Tomer Devorah Seminary in Jerusalem this fall.

Meira Levison, also a sophomore, attends Kadima High School and belongs to U City Shul. She participates in Better Together, Mock Trial, the Kolainu school newspaper, and the Spirit Committee. She’s active in both JSU and NCSY and will join NCSY GIVE in Israel this summer.

Mimsy Staum, a senior at EMBY, is a member of Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha. She currently serves as G.O. President and helps coordinate the school-wide Shabbaton. She’s also held leadership roles in United Jewish Sisters and Bnos and will attend Bnos Sarah Seminary in Jerusalem in the fall.

The Pessin Award has recognized dozens of young Jewish leaders since 2005, including past recipients like Jonah Boyer, Yaffa Goldman and Lior Melnick.

For more information about the Pessin Award or Jewish Federation’s Israel grants, visit JFedSTL.org.