Note to readers: The next printed edition of the Jewish Light will be May 22 — three weeks after this one. In the meantime, please keep up to date on St. Louis Jewish news by visiting us online at stljewishlight.org
A N O N P R O FIT, IN D EP EN D EN T N E W S S O U R CE TO I N F O R M , I N S P I R E , E D U C AT E A N D CO N N E C T T H E S T. LO U I S J E W I S H CO M M U N IT Y.
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The cover of the 2023 Unsung Heroes magazine. Nominations are now open for the 2024 Unsung Heroes.
Jewish Student Union plans for the future with building in U.City BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
A new permanent home for JSU (Jewish Student Union) St. Louis is rapidly taking shape in University City. Last October, renovation began on the two-story house at 8037 Delmar Blvd. Completion is expected in August when the new Staenberg Building will open. It will provide office space for JSU, a drop-in center for teens, classrooms, a homework clinic, meeting rooms, game room and a kosher kitchen. The house was built in 1937. Before renovation began, it had 2,146 square feet of living space. In addition to the original structure, a 1,500 square foot great room is under construction at the rear of the building. Upon completion, the house will be transformed into a modern, fully functional center of Jewish life for St. Louis teenagers. The total cost of the building and construction is estimated at $1.75 million. Major donors to the effort include philan- TOP: Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, director of Jewish Student Union, stands at the site of the new JSU thropist Michael Staenberg, Dr. Irving and building on Delmar Boulevard in University City. ABOVE: A sign at the construction site offers a look at JSU’s future Staenberg Building, which is planned to be completed in August. See JSU on page 7 PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN
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Here’s your chance to nominate an ‘Unsung Hero’ in the community The Jewish Light is requesting nominations for its 15th annual Unsung Heroes awards. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, July 12 and can be made online at stljewishlight.org/heroes. The Light solicits nominations of volunteers making a major impact through their work without seeking substantial public recognition for their efforts. These people tend to fly under the radar. Honorees can be individuals or groups who are either Jewish or non-Jewish making a difference within the St. Louis Jewish community and/or Jewish individuals or groups in St. Louis making a difference in the community-at-large. The 2024 class of Unsung Heroes will be honored with a special event on Nov. 20 and in the Light’s Unsung Heroes magazine, which publishes on Nov. 20 as well. To view the names of past Unsung Heroes, visit stljewishlight. org/unsung-list.
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