Stuart I. Pessin Merit-Based Scholarship
The Stuart I. Pessin merit-based grant awards four St. Louis teens $1500 toward their Israel experience. The grant is open to current high school students participating in a 2026 Israel experience. Candidates will be considered based on their application and a combination of academic and personal achievements.
2027 Stuart I. Pessin Award Application Will Open in the Fall
The application for 2027 Stuart I. Pessin Application will open in the Fall of 2026
2026 Stuart I. Pessin Award Winners
Jewish Federation of St. Louis is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Stuart I. Pessin Award: Riav Feit, Jordan Oiknine, Talia Poremba and Liam Shoghi.
The awards, which are allocated from the Stuart I. Pessin Scholarship Fund, complement the existing Israel grant program funded by Jewish Federation of St. Louis. The merit-based award provides a means for select high school students to receive community funds by demonstrating their commitment to Judaism and the St. Louis Jewish community.
Riav Feit
Riav Feit is a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and a member of Kol Rinah. She is active in Shira BBG, where she has served as Vice President of Membership and Chapter President. Riav is also a member of a competitive select volleyball team and competes as a varsity pole vaulter for her school. In addition, she participates in the Student to Student program. This summer, Riav will travel to Israel on the BBYO Israel Journey.
Jordan Oiknine
Jordan Oiknine is a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and a member of B’nai Amoona. He has served as president of the UNICEF Club, is active in DECA, and is a starting forward on his school’s varsity soccer team. Jordan is also the founder of Kicks for a Cause, an initiative that donates proceeds to the Special Needs Soccer Organization. This summer, he will participate in the BBYO Israel Journey.
Talia Poremba
Talia Poremba is a sophomore at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and a member of Congregation Temple Israel. She serves as Vice President of St. Louis Teens Aid Refugees Today (START), is an officer in the UNICEF Club, and was elected as a Student Council officer. Talia was also selected to participate in Cultural Leadership’s Emerging Changemakers program. This summer, she will travel to Israel on the Alexander Muss program.
Liam Shoghi
Liam Shoghi is a junior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and a member of B’nai Amoona. He is active on his school’s Speech & Debate team, involved in DECA, and volunteers with Strolling Strings, a community orchestra that provides musical entertainment throughout the St. Louis region. This summer, Liam will participate in the Alexander Muss program.
Previous Stuart I. Pessin Awardees
2025
Jacob Berger, Esther Howley, Meira Levison, Mimsy Staum
2024
Yaffa Goldman, Sari Gross, Rivka Kowalsky, Jenna Wasserman
2023
Sadie Levy, Chaya Kula, Nash Pratt, Georgia Bland
2022
Sarah Rumfelt, Yechiel Shulman, Zoe Klevens
2021
Liam Harir, Liam Oiknine, Hayley Lerner, Noah Kleinlehrer
2020
Amarah Friedman, Rachel Perera, Halle Wasserman, Ethan Winograd
2019
Jonah Boyer, Emma Cantor, Amit Harir & Kobi Recht
2018
Jacob Mann & Melissa Rush
2017
Rina Gersten & Yonah Shafner
2016
Aaron Koshner & Eitan Oberlander
2015
Kyla Gersten & Rachel Somorov
2014
Sarah Casteel & Jonathan Samuels
2013
Ryan Finkelstein & David Iken
2012
Andrew Brick & Noah Oberlander
2011
Shira LeDeaux & Miranda Siler
2010
Ethan Bennett & Hannah Kaiser
2009
Hannah Barg & Jennifer Koshner
2008
Lior Melnick & Stuart Portman
2007
Jennifer Levy & Phillip Weber
2006
Alana Baron & Donna Iken
2005
Jamie Dalin & Avraham Rovinsky
2026 Stuart I. Pessin Award Application
The 2026 Application has closed