The St. Louis Jewish Light hosted its 15th annual Unsung Heroes event Nov. 20 at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. The evening, co-chaired by Debbie Lefton and Amy Fenster Brown, recognized nine individuals and one married couple for their dedication to volunteer efforts that uplift the St. Louis Jewish community and beyond.
The Class of 2024 honorees were celebrated for their wide-ranging contributions, including interfaith dialogue, youth advocacy, veteran support and women’s empowerment. Each honoree embodies the values of service and community.
Among the honorees were Ram Lakshmanan, known as “Rabbi Ram,” for fostering interfaith understanding, and Sharon Weissman, who leads spiritual and community initiatives at Congregation Shaare Emeth. Linda Sandmel was honored for creating Shaare Emeth’s shiva committee, Hillary Friedman was recognized for her leadership in child abuse prevention and literacy programs and Peggy Cohen Voss for her work with new immigrants, refugees and women recovering from the loss of a spouse or partner.
The event also spotlighted Barb and Rich Kramer, a couple dedicated to fighting food insecurity and supporting seniors and veterans. Wendy Flusser was celebrated for her advocacy in racial justice and education, while Ellen Schapiro’s work championing women’s rights and Rachel Sanger’s support for young burn survivors were highlighted. Ken Weintraub was acknowledged for providing critical services to veterans through The Kaufman Fund.
Since its inception in 2010, the Unsung Heroes initiative has honored more than 130 individuals who exemplify selflessness and generosity. The Holocaust Museum served as a poignant venue, emphasizing the significance of preserving history and inspiring acts of kindness.
For more about this year’s honorees, visit the Unsung Heroes section of the St. Louis Jewish Light website.
