Ten professionals and one community lay leader have been chosen as honorees for the Annual JProStL Recognition Event, which takes place Thursday, March 9. Doors open at 2 p.m. and the program will begin at 3 at the Jewish Community Center. The theme of the program is Chai Tea, in honor of the 18th Annual Event, sponsored by Pam and Ron Rubin and The Republic of Tea. JProStL, an initiative of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, is the professional association for staff who work at 50 nonprofits affiliated with the St. Louis Jewish community.

In addition to the 10 Peer Awards, Penny Alper has been chosen as the recipient of the JProStL Partnership Award, which recognizes a volunteer leader who exemplifies the lay-staff relationship through commitments to the Jewish community and St. Louis region, ethical leadership, Jewish values and acts of kindness. Alper has been involved with several organizations in a variety of roles, including immediate Past Board Chair of WashU Hillel. 

The 10 Peer Honorees for 2023 are:

• Career Achievement – Liessa Demba Alperin, director of Innovative Learning, Youth and Engagement, Congregation B’nai Amoona

• Chesed/Kindness – Debbi Braunstein, program manager, Sharsheret Supports STL, the Jewish Community Center, and Risa Shyres, occupational therapist, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School

• Dedication – Scott Eirich, superintendent, New Mount Sinai Cemetery, and Anita McCullar, administrative assistant, Jewish Family Services, Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry

• Emerging Leader – Helen Turner, director of education, St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum

• Educator – Rabbi Yossi Golombeck, principal, Torah Prep School

• Mentor – Cynthia Wachtel, manager, Israel Emissary Initiatives, Jewish Federation of St. Louis

• Pillar – Jennifer Bernstein, advocacy manager, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis

• Visionary – Cheryl Adelstein, deputy director, Jewish Community Relations Council 

The JProStL community will also recognize Lynn Wittels, president and CEO of the J, for her impact in the St. Louis Jewish community.

The event is free for staff who work in Jewish nonprofits and $25 for guests. To register and to donate to professional development in honor of the recipients, visit them online . For more information, including sponsorships, contact Marci Mayer Eisen at 314-442-3810 or [email protected]. 

JProStL is affiliated with Jewish Federation’s Millstone Leadership Initiatives and supported by Mont & Karen Levy and the Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation of St. Louis.