A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Sandy Jaffe at the offices of Ready Readers, where Jaffe is a board member. Photo: Lisa Mandel

Sanford “Sandy” Jaffe

BY PATRICIA CORRIGAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished May 22, 2014

Sanford “Sandy” Jaffe is not the kind of supporter who whips out a check and smiles for the camera. “Sandy is the kind who hands you a check in private and says just deposit it, don’t talk about it,” says Pat Simons, whose nonprofit organization...

Myra Rosenthal takes part in the expansion of the Garden of Eden on the JCC grounds in March, 2014. Photo: Yana Hotter

Myra Rosenthal

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 22, 2014

For Myra Rosenthal, the most difficult aspect of being an Unsung Hero may be that she’s the only one named in the honor. “That’s the awkward part of accepting the award,” said Rosenthal, 66, a retired school psychologist and adjunct professor...

Volunteers: (clockwise, from top left) Saul Dien, Lauren Sagel, Larry Harris, Geri Frank (former vounteer and now Crown Center staff member), Allen Silverberg, Lana Yunker, Gloria Spitzer, Lois Lefton and Marilyn Dien. Lisa Silverberg and Shawn Rimerman are not pictured. Photo: Lisa Mandel

Crown Center Home Delivery Volunteers

By Susan Fadem, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

The value of a meal is sometimes measured by peace of mind. Just ask the University City resident in his 80s who cares for his wife. Also an octogenarian, she has Alzheimer’s disease and, along with memory loss, often stares vacantly at her food.That’s...

Judy and Dr. Robert Hellman inside Young Israel of St. Louis. Photo: Lisa Mandel

Dr. Robert and Judy Hellman

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

Many people are inspired by talks from their rabbi, but it shouldn’t be surprising that Dr. Robert “Bob” and Judy Hellman were moved by the Passover sermon from a visiting spiritual leader at Young Israel. After all, the visiting rabbi was...

Marvin Beckerman outside the Jewish Community Center. Photo: Lisa Mandel 

Marvin Beckerman

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

For some, civic involvement is a way of life. For Marvin Beckerman, promoting civic involvement in the lives of others is the only way forward. “We’ve influenced the voting of hundreds of thousands of kids and, we hope, their parents as well,”...

2014 Unsung Hero Toddy Goldman. Photo: Yana Hotter

Toddy Goldman

By Ellie Grossman, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

At 90 years old, Toddy Goldman has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. His days are full of volunteering for many organizations, spending time with his family and friends, and basically making people feel happy. “The key to staying young...

Kathy Lebedun at home with her dog, Hero. Photo: Lisa Mandel

Kathy Lebedun

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

Some people are shy about sharing their age. If you ask Kathy Lebedun for hers, she’s not reticent about answering. Diagnosed at 39 with leukemia, she was not expected to live more than few years. “I’m proud to be 61,” the Chesterfield...

Buddy Lebman in 2014. Photo: Yana Hotter/Spoonful of Sugar Photography

Buddy Lebman

By Ellie Grossman, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

When the lexicon of the Yiddish language was created, the word mensch originated from the description of Buddy Lebman,” said one of his longtime friends, Elsie Roth. “Buddy has made a profound difference in the lives of many people, not only in...

Sam Klein started a nonprofit that recycles old printer cartidges and electronics. Photo: Yana Hotter

Sam Klein

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 21, 2014

For some would-be entrepreneurs, starting a business can be an endeavor a lifetime in the making. The same was true of Sam Klein when he founded his company. Of course Klein’s life was only nine years long at the time. “I knew it was different...

Neil Marglous. Photo: Yana Hotter

Neil Marglous

By Ellen Futterman, EditorPublished May 21, 2014

When Neil Marglous turned 65, he decided it was time to retire. But make no mistake — the man never stopped working. Rather, his focus shifted, from a 40-plus year career in the wholesale hardware distributing business, to ramping up his volunteerism. “While...

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