Jewish Federation of St. Louis has announced the award winners to be honored at the 2025 Evening of Impact to be held Wednesday, February 19. Caroline Goldenberg and Joel Gotkin have been chosen as the recipients of the 2025 David N. and Roselin Grosberg Young Leadership Award and Rabbi Brad Horwitz as the recipient of the Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award. Additionally, CBD Kratom has been chosen as recipient of the 2025 RubinBrown Corporate Leadership Award. A special recognition will be given to Michael Staenberg, honoring him as a member of the Jewish Federation’s Council of Life.
David N. and Roselin Grosberg Young Leadership Award recognizes volunteer leaders in the Jewish community who are 45 years and younger. Recipients demonstrate commitment to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’s mission through volunteer leadership and participation in the Annual Campaign. The 2025 David N. and Roselin Grosberg Young Leadership Award recipients are Caroline Goldenberg and Joel Gotkin.
Caroline Goldenberg is a St. Louis native and has five children together with her Israeli-American husband, Etai. Passionate about Jewish education, she has served on the board of the Jewish Light as the advisor for the Teen Page for the past 10 years and spent two years on the board of Epstein Hebrew Academy, before taking on a professional role in development at the school. In 2023, she had the honor of co-chairing the Women’s Philanthropy L’Chaim event and is currently on the Women’s Philanthropy board. She is an alumna of the ADL Glass Leadership Institute (2017), Millstone Fellows class of 2017-2018, the Legacy Heritage OnBoard cohort in 2019, and Courageous Communities in 2022. Caroline has loved being the “American Mom” to three Shinshinim who have lived with the Goldenbergs. In her free time, Caroline studies Hebrew, does calligraphy for special events, bakes with her kids and sings karaoke with her friends.
Joel Gotkin has been active in the Federation since his arrival in Saint Louis in 2011. Most recently, he and his wife co-chaired the Ben Gurion Society of young adult donors, bringing consistent programming to the group and fostering relationships between many members. Joel also is active in the Professional Society and sits as an at-large member of the Leadership Advisory Council.
Joel is a partner at the Oliff PLC law firm, where he has practiced since 2011. He is also an adjunct professor at the law schools of both Washington University and Saint Louis University. Joel and his wife, Laura, have a one-year-old son, Noah, and a goldendoodle, Pierson. When not working, teaching, volunteering or doting on his son(s) and wife, Joel loves traveling with his family.
Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award recognizes outstanding professional leadership in a St. Louis Jewish organization. Recipients excel in their field, have introduced important innovations, and are perceived as role models by other professionals and volunteers. The 2025 Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award Recipient is Rabbi Brad Horwitz
Rabbi Brad Horwitz is the Chief Jewish Engagement Officer at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, where he has served in an executive leadership role for over nineteen years. During this time, he has brought his passion for fostering meaningful connections and enriching Jewish life to the forefront of the organization and the entire community. Known for his approachable and warm demeanor, Rabbi Horwitz is committed to the Jewish value of kehillah (community) and strives to make Jewish life accessible and meaningful for all.
In his role at the J, Rabbi Horwitz oversees a broad portfolio of Jewish cultural, educational, and spiritual programming at the JCC, ensuring it remains a hub for vibrant Jewish life in St. Louis. His leadership extends to signature J cultural arts programs, including the New Jewish Theatre, St. Louis Jewish Film Festival, St. Louis Jewish Book Festival, and Youth Theatre. He also supervises Jewish Life programs including Nishmah: The St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project, the J’s Family Center, the Hamsa Wellness Community, JCC Maccabi Games STL delegation, and JNext program for recent empty nesters. Additionally, he oversees the Adult Day at the J and Life Enrichment programs, which serve older adults and individuals with disabilities and their families.
Rabbi Horwitz is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, where he earned his rabbinic ordination and a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education. He is the author of With All Your Heart: A Weekday Siddur (prayer book) that is currently in use in over fifty Jewish schools across the US and Canada. Rabbi Horwitz is the proud husband of Mindy and father of their three children, Josh, Ari and Ben.
RubinBrown Corporate Leadership Award recognizes a St. Louis company with a deep commitment to philanthropy and the Jewish community. This year the 2025 RubinBrown Corporate Leadership Award will be presented to CBD Kratom. CBD Kratom is owned by Dafna Revah and David Palatnik and is the largest privately owned cannabis and kratom retailer in the United States.
Council of Life honors individuals in recognition of ongoing generosity and dedication to the Jewish Community and the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Rather than being awarded every year, this honor is given when someone’s commitment to Federation has gone above and beyond. Jewish Federation of St. Louis is honored to welcome Michael Staenberg as the newest member of the Council of Life.
——
Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ 2025 Evening of Impact will be Wednesday, February 19 at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, 36 Millstone Campus Drive. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception following. The Evening of Impact is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register at: https://www.jfedstl.org/evening-of-impact-registration-2025/
For more information, contact Amanda Miller at 314-442-3884 or AMiller@JFedSTL.org.