Just in Time for Hanukkah, J'la Raises More Than $600K for St. Louis Jewish Community Center
Local philanthropists Jane Tzinberg Rubin and Ken Rubin honored.
by Marla Stoker Ballenger / photos by Jerry Voloski
Just in time for Hanukkah 2025, the St. Louis Jewish Community Center (the J) successfully hosted it’s annual J’la gala at the Factory in Chesterfield, with a record-breaking 550 guests and over $600,000 raised. The gala honored Jane Tzinberg Rubin for decades of service on both the St Louis and North American JCC Boards, and Ken Rubin for his leadership role with local organizations the support the St Louis J.
Ken Rubin and Jane Tzinberg Rubin.
Jane and Ken attributed this year’s success, the highest grossing fundraising success to co-chairs Penny and Marc Alper, Robin and David Chervitz, and Tracey and Jeff Singer. The honorees also extended their deepest gratitude to top sponsors, the Kuhn Foundation and Michael Staenberg, for their exemplary leadership and support. With the success of J’la 2025, the J will continue its commitment to promoting inclusivity and creating meaningful Jewish experiences for the entire St. Louis community.
Rubin Family on stage.
The funds raised will provide vital support for the J’s diverse programs and essential services, ensuring all St. Louis families can fully participate in the J’s mission to enrich lives and build community. The event theme, Circles of Connection: Leading to a Vibrant Tomorrow, highlighted the J’s role in creating bonds across all ages. Dinner guests were entertained by the Charles Glen Band, and comedian Yakov Smirnoff.
Co-Chairs Jeff and Tracy Singer, Ken and Jane Rubin, Yakov Smirnoff, Penny & Marc Alper, Steve Shankman.
ABOUT JANE TZINBERG RUBIN AND KEN RUBIN
Jane has served on the J Board almost continuously for 25 years, including as Vice President, and on numerous Executive, Strategic Planning, and Finance committees, receiving the J’s President’s award in 2010. She has also served in leadership roles of many local Jewish organizations, including President of the St. Louis Jewish Light. Subsequently, Jane was elected to the Board of the JCC Association of North America, where she actively serves, and continues to represent the St. Louis Jewish Community Center across North America and Israel.
Jessica Rubin and Granddaughter Ella Solarz.
Ken has served on multiple local boards including as President of the Central Agency for Jewish Education and the JCA. He now serves as President of the Board of JCA’s Charitable Foundation which funds organizations providing programming to needy Jewish elderly. This includes providing sizable capital grants to multiple organizations, most recently the Marilyn Fox Building’s JCA Charitable Foundation Adult Day at the J.
Jane and Ken previously received the AJC Netzach award, and the Solomon Schechter Distinguished Service Award.
ABOUT THE J
J Board President Monte Sandler and Julie Sandler, Avi Rosenzweig and J CEO Steven Rosenzweig
The J is an interactive, multi-generational gathering place that offers a variety of programs and services to both the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. The Jewish Community Center provides educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building and recreational programming and offers two state-of-the-art fitness facilities designed to promote physical and spiritual growth. Everyone is welcome at the J.