125 Years of Entrepreneurship in the St. Louis Jewish Community
Join the Professional Society of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis for an engaging panel discussion! This panel discussion will convene St. Louis entrepreneurs to discuss the community that shaped them, the businesses they have built, and the future of entrepreneurship in the St. Louis Jewish Community.
For 125 years, Jewish entrepreneurs in St. Louis have helped shape the city’s economy, culture, and civic life. Building businesses from the ground up, pioneering new industries, and investing in the community around them.
Hear from a panel of St. Louis accomplished innovators as they reflect on what it means to build something lasting, and what the next 125 years might hold.
This event is free to attend, and open to Professional Society members and one guests. Space is limited.
EVENT DETAILS
Location: Jewish Federation of St. Louis, 12 Millstone Campus Dr, St. Louis, MO 63146
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
5:30 pm Schmoozing, drinks, and appetizers
6:15 pm Panel discussion begins
7:30 pm Desserts and final chats
8:00 pm Event concludes
Free to attend | RSVP required
Kosher dietary laws observed
Simcha Lourie, Founder, Simcha’s Events
Simcha Lourie is a St. Louis-based event planner with more than 15 years of experience creating exceptional celebrations. Before founding Simcha’s Events in 2006, she served as Director of Catering at the five-star Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, where she oversaw more than 60 weddings and B’nai Mitzvahs annually alongside a full calendar of corporate and social events. That background gives her a rare insider’s perspective on how to get the best service and value from venues and vendors — an edge she brings to every client relationship. Known for combining creativity with meticulous attention to detail, Simcha partners with the region’s finest venues, musicians, florists, photographers, and production companies to bring each client’s vision to life with energy, personal touches, and memories that last.
Keith Alper, Chairman & CEO, Nitrous Effect
An award winning producer, entrepreneur, and civic leader with more than 40 of experience, Keith Alper has built some of St. Louis’s most recognized creative and marketing enterprises—including CPG, Evntiv, Geniecast, UPBrand, and Vidzu. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fortune, and Inc. Magazine, and he has earned over 200 industry awards. As passionate advocate for entrepreneurial leadership he co founded Entrepreneurs Organization and is a past board member of YPO Global . Alper is also the author of the bestselling book From Like to Love. To learn more about visit, Keithalper.com
Donn Rubin, Founding President & CEO, BioSTL Global
Donn Rubin has spent more than two decades helping transform St. Louis into a nationally recognized hub for bioscience and innovation. As the founding leader of BioSTL Global and the BioGenerato, one of the most active bioscience seed investors in the U.S., he launched the Cortex innovation district and built BioSTL Global to connect St. Louis with innovation ecosystems around the world, starting with Israel. Named a “Pillar of the Community” and one of the “Most Influential St. Louisans” by the St. Louis Business Journal, Rubin is a driving force behind the region’s entrepreneurial transformation.