Justice in Hebrew is “Tzedek” and justice takes many forms—showing up, speaking out, opening doors, building bridges. On May 20, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) will celebrate those who do all of the above at the 2025 Tzedek Awards, held at the Clayton Plaza Hotel.
This year’s honorees include educators, organizers and community leaders who’ve each made their mark on St. Louis Jewish life—and the wider world around it. Some are longtime changemakers. Others are just getting started. But every one of them is being honored for one reason: they keep showing up.
The night will also mark a milestone: 30 years of Student to Student, the program where Jewish teens visit local schools to talk about Jewish identity, answer honest questions and build understanding one classroom at a time.
Tzedek Awards celebrate Jewish and interfaith impact
This year’s honorees include Leslie and Michael Litwack, longtime community champions receiving the Batya Abramson-Goldstein Legacy Award. The purpose of the Batya Abramson-Goldstein Legacy Award is to recognize those whose exceptional leadership and vision have had an enduring impact on the JCRC and its community relations mission.
This year’s Pluralism Award goes to three standout leaders from across St. Louis’ religious and cultural landscape:
- James Fowlkes-Comninellis, director of ecumenical and interreligious affairs for the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis
- Robin Hattori, president of the Japan America Society Women’s Association, and board member of the Japanese American Citizens League
- Helen Turner, education director at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum
St. Louis leaders recognized for building community ties
If you’ve hosted a Shinshinim teen emissary in your home over the last decade, chances are good that Cynthia Wachtel helped make it happen. As coordinator of the program at Jewish Federation of St. Louis, she’s part matchmaker, part mentor and part logistics wizard.
“She’s juggling their schedules, helping the Shinshinim get acclimated, lining up amazing host families, navigating their emotions… To them, she’s a superhero,” said Caroline Goldenberg, who, along with her husband Etai, has hosted multiple Shinshinim. “We owe Cynthia a huge debt of gratitude for introducing us to the program. Each of the Shinshinim we’ve hosted over the past five years is like family.”
Wachtel will receive the Joel and Joanne Iskiwitch Israel Award.
Laura Horwitz, recipient of the Michael & Barbara Newmark Emerging Leader Award, is no stranger to community organizing. Her work in racial equity and justice led her to JCRC, where she now serves as development chair.
“Laura is a keen observer, a brilliant analyst of dynamics, a do-er who is always guided by a vision for how things can and must, be different,” said Tammy Arnow, a friend and fellow board member. “Laura has been a changemaker, a visionary and a builder for a decade now in St. Louis and I’m honored to call her a dear friend.”
Dr. Flint Fowler will be honored with the Norman A. Stack Community Relations Award for his nearly three decades of leadership at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Under his leadership, the organization grew from one club to 11, serving more than 4,000 young people every year.
“Flint honors the worth and dignity of every individual, regardless of age, socioeconomic status, faith or color of their skin,” said Dr. Joan Ellyn Silber. “I can vouch without hesitation for my dear friend Dr. Flint Fowler as a mensch among men and more than deserving of this award.”
Student to Student alumni, educators also honored
This year also celebrates the 30th anniversary of Student to Student, the award-winning program where Jewish teens take their stories on the road—to classrooms, auditoriums and curious minds all over St. Louis.
As part of that milestone, JCRC will honor:
- Dr. Lisa Ring and Dr. Gregory Storch with a 30th Anniversary Special Tribute
- Stephanie Ludmer Gross and Max Oppenheimer with Outstanding Alumni Awards
- Jayla Boston, a Soldan International High School senior with the Goldstein Scholarship
The 2025 Tzedek Awards will take place Tuesday, May 20, at the Clayton Plaza Hotel. For tickets, tributes or sponsorships, visit jcrcstl.org.
