Guests of Honor
Mr. David and Dr. Daniela Hermelin
Mr. David and Dr. Daniela Hermelin have been leaders of our Agudas Israel of St. Louis community since they moved here as a family in 2008.
Shortly after their arrival, David was asked to join the Board of Torah Prep School. He was later elected Executive Vice-President and stayed on the Board until 2017. In 2011, David began serving on the Board of Agudas Israel, ultimately becoming President in 2015. He was at the helm of the Agudah for seven years, until 2022. While President, David coordinated an extensive remodel of the shul, helped establish the rollout of the shul"s weekly Kiddush, orchestrated the new seating layout in the Bais Medrash, and was instrumental in the hiring of Rabbi Yitzchak Kowalsky. David is still active on the Agudah Board and co-chairs the New Building Committee.
Daniela served as Agudas Israel N'shei President for seven years, from 2012 to 2019. During her tenure, she launched new initiatives and raised the bar on social and educational events for the women in our community, in addition to spearheading the memorable "Mostly Classical" theatrical performances. She also developed chesed subcommittees to better address the needs of our growing community.
Most notably, David and Daniela jointly led our shul through the turbulent years of the COVID pandemic. Daniela created the St. Louis Jewish Physician Covid-19 Advisory Board in March 2020 and helped to create policy and provide medical guidance to numerous Jewish organizations. Daniela also fielded daily calls from countless members of the community to guide them through each evolving stage of the pandemic.
Throughout their years serving our community, David and Daniela led with their children at their side. Yehudah, Talila, Emuna, Meshulam, Yona, and Shoshana were often found setting up shul events, coordinating childcare during services, and helping their parents whenever possible.
David was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Epstein Hebrew Academy until 6th grade and continued on to the Clayton Public schools through high school. David matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, graduating with a BS in Economics with a Major in Strategic Planning. He attended yeshiva at Shappel's Darche Noam in Jerusalem. For 23 years, David was the Vice President of Corporate Strategy at KV Pharmaceutical Company. He later served as CEO of Xeragenx, a private biopharmaceutical company. In 2016, he founded Righteous Road® Craft Spirits, and continues to produce delicious premium hand-crafted spirits.
Daniela was born in Hollywood, Florida. She received her BA in Biology and Music from Brandeis University and her MD from St. George's University School of Medicine. Prior to completing medical school, Daniela attended Midreshet Rachel V'Chaya Seminary in Jerusalem. She completed both her Pathology Residency (serving as Chief Resident) and Transfusion Medicine Fellowship at St. Louis University School of Medicine. After completing her fellowship, she transitioned to Assistant Professor of Pathology and Medical Director of Transfusion Medicine at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. In 2019, she received an Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies President's Award for her work using social media to advance transfusion medicine education. In 2022, Daniela became Chief Medical Officer of ImpactLife Blood Center. She is a sought-after mentor for young women in the Orthodox Jewish community interested in pursuing a career in health sciences.
Celebrating the 100th Birthday of
Mrs. Rita Bortz
Mrs. Rita Bortz was born on May 9, 1923, in the little mining town of Vereeniging, South Africa. Her parents were both immigrants from Lithuania. She spent her early childhood in Port Elizabeth. Although she was raised in a happy home, her father passed away when she was only 12 years old. At this challenging time, Rita and her brother Manny (aged 6 years) were sent to the Arcadia Children's Home for their schooling, followed later by her brother Eli, who was only 6 months old when their father died.
For high school, Rita attended Parktown Girls High. She excelled and was repeatedly elected Class Captain and appointed Prefect in her senior year - a big honor and testimony to her popularity and leadership skills.
After high school, she boarded with her aunt and uncle and studied executive management and municipal administration in college. Upon graduating, she was employed by the Vereeniging municipality and distinguished herself in local government affairs. She also volunteered for the Red Cross during WWII.
It was during this time that she met the young and dapper Solly Bortz, who decided on the spot that he was going to marry her. Solly and Rita married in 1946 at the Great Wolmarans Street Synagogue, with South Africa's Chief Rabbi Rabinowitz officiating.
Their four children (Charlene, Alan, Pamela, and Jonathan) were born over the next ten years. The family moved to Potchefstroom and it was in "Potch" that Rita and Solly assumed leadership roles in the community. Rita became Chair Lady of the Women's Zionist Organization and was honored with a lifetime service award. She also took a leading role in the Union of Jewish Women to cater to the needs of indigent and underserved communities. In addition, Rita and Solly's home was a bastion of support for Jewish soldiers stationed in Potchefstroom, providing kosher meals and a place to go for Shabbos.
In 1998, Solly and Rita made St. Louis their new home. They were fortunate to be welcomed warmly by Rabbi and Rebbetzin Greenblatt and the Agudas Israel community. Rita and Solly were active members, attending shul services, shiurim, and communal activities. The community was a powerful factor in helping them to adjust to their new home. Solly and Rita were preparing to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary when Solly passed away in 2017.
Rita always enjoyed entertaining and still is an accomplished cook and baker. She is an avid reader who loves music and culture. She is a very knowledgeable (up to the minute) news commentator and analyst. She is the first person to whom the family turns when help is needed with spelling, English grammar, historical facts and, most importantly, for sage advice. Her genuine, sincere appreciation of Jewish values and the stories she shares about world history and her own history are an inspiration.
Rita continues to be a lifelong student who never passes by an opportunity to learn something new.
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