ChaiLights calendar: Feb. 13-26
Published February 12, 2014
Thursday, Feb. 13
Panel talk on decline of middle class
Three St. Louis experts will examine what is happening to middle-class America in a program at 7 p.m. at the Ethical Society, 9001 Clayton Road. Panelists Mark Rank, professor of social welfare at Washington University; Robert A. Soutier, president of the Greater St. Louis Labor Council; and Mary Ann McGivern, writer and activist, will discuss “The Incredible Shrinking Middle Class.” Free and open to the public; co-sponsored by the Community Against Poverty coalition, coordinated by the Jewish Community Relations Council. Rev. Rudy Pulido will moderate the discussion. For more information, visit womensvoicesraised.org.
Friday, Feb. 14
Covenant Cabaret: ‘Frank & Friends’
Covenant Place will host a musical performance by Frank & Friends featuring entertainer Frank Stobart at 1 p.m. on Valentine’s Day in Covenant II’s Milford and Lee Bohm Social Hall, 8 Millstone Campus Drive. Free and open to the public; refreshments provided. RSVP to 314-432-1610.
Saturday, Feb. 15
Shir Hadash Third Shabbat program
For its monthly Third Shabbat program, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community will hold a discussion of “Journalism & Judaism: Some Views of the Fourth Estate” at 10 a.m. The event will feature Ellen Futterman, editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light; Repps Hudson, adjunct professor of journalism at Washington University and adjunct professor of humanities at the University of Missouri-St. Louis; and Charles Klotzer, founder of the St. Louis Journalism Review (now the Gateway Journalism Review of Southern Illinois University-Carbondale). “Third Shabbat” will be held at the JCC Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. The program takes place in lieu of a Sabbath morning service and is free and open to the public.
Sunday, Feb. 16
Film, event for Jewish Disabilities Awareness Month
Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Jewish Community Inclusion Initiative and the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival will hold a film screening and Jewish resource fair Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Galleria 6 Cinema. The fair, featuring Jewish agencies that offer programs for disabilities, will start at 1 p.m. At 2 p.m., “Praying with Lior” will be shown in the theater. A discussion will follow the screening. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 18. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit JFedSTL.org/Lior. For more information about the event or the Inclusion Initiative, contact Susan Scribner at [email protected] or 314-442-3846.
Jewish War Veterans Post 644 meets
The February Jewish War Veterans Post 644 meeting will be held at 10 a.m. at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. The Ladies Auxiliary also meets at the same location and the same time. Spouses and family members are welcome to attend, as are new members and reservists. Bagels and coffee will be served. For more information, contact post Commander Dennis Cohen at 636-532-7172.
Trip to Maryville Symphony Orchestra
Join Crown Center at 2:15 p.m. for a bus trip to a free Maryville Symphony Orchestra performance of the Haydn “Symphony No. 68, Telemann Concerto in G for Viola” with soloist Dr. Christopher Kelts and Schubert Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished.” There is no cost for the Crown Center bus during February, but RSVPs are requested to confirm a spot: 314-991-2055.
Starting Sunday, Feb. 16
Songleader Boot Camp offers new speaker series
Jewish professionals and lay leaders in St. Louis are invited to the free Songleader Boot Camp Premier Speaker Series Feb. 16 and 17 at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Rabbi Micah Greenstein of Temple Israel in Memphis, and Billy Jonas, nationally touring music artist and educator, will discuss “Unlocking the Key to Jewish Outreach” at 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. Rabbi Sharon Brous, spiritual leader of IKAR in Los Angeles, will present “Authentic and Inspirational Jewish Leadership” at 7:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17. RSVPs requested to Rabbi Brad Horwitz at [email protected].
The speaker series takes place concurrently with the fifth annual Songleader Boot Camp, an intensive three-day national leadership training program in St. Louis Feb. 16-18, hosted by the JCC. The speaker series is made possible through support from Jewish Federation and the Gladys K. Crown Foundation. For more information , visit songleaderbootcamp.com/register.
Monday, Feb. 17
Crafts, knitting and more
Bring a project to work on while visiting with others during this St. Louis NORC event at 1 p.m. at the Gathering Place at the JCC, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Free and open to the community, but RSVPs are required to Laura at 314-442-3255.
Survivors and Descendants group
The St. Louis Holocaust Survivors and Descendants group will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building. All survivors, their children, grandchildren and descendants of victims of the Holocaust, are welcome at this free meeting. Felicia Wertz will speak about her experience in an orphanage where she lived during the war. She will show a film made by a theater troop that came to the orphanage while she was there (she is shown in the film). For a ride to the meeting, call David Halpern at 314-583-6392. For more information, contact Sofia Kent at 314-878-8405 or [email protected]; or Liz Lippa at 314-802-7750 or [email protected].
Lori Palatnik speaks at Aish/Nishmah event
Aish HaTorah St. Louis, in cooperation with Nishmah, welcomes Lori Palatnik for a presentation of “The Kabbalah of You — Understanding Yourself and Appreciating Others” at 7:30 p.m. at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Avenue. A suggested donation of $18 at the door; or, a $36 advance payment (required by Feb. 14) option includes VIP expedited registration, reserved premier seating and a signed copy of Palatnik’s book, “Remember My Soul.” The book answers the question, “What do we do to honor the memory of a loved one?” Mail check payable to Aish HaTorah St. Louis, Attention Claire Wolff, 457 N. Woods Mill Road, Chesterfield, 63017 or call with credit card payment to 314-862-2474. Event co-chairs are Mimi Pultman and Ellie Grossman Cohen.
Starting Tuesday, Feb. 18
Exploring Life’s Journey group
Exploring Life’s Journey begins Feb. 18 and continues every third Tuesday of the month, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Temple Israel, 1 Rabbi Alvan D Rubin Drive in Creve Coeur. The group explores life’s journey through the prism of Judaism, delving into spirituality, Jewish meditation and mysticism, prayer, life’s purpose and lessons and concluding with exploring the process of Death. The group is facilitated by Jan Nykin, a psychotherapist in private practice who also has para-rabbinic certification. Free and open to the community. For more information, call 314-432-8050.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
Covenant Place chorale rehearsal
Like to sing? Want to learn? Professional musician Robert Denison conducts the Covenant Place Chorale on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m. in the Milford and Lee Bohm Social Hall of Covenant House II, 8 Millstone Campus Drive. Free and open to the community.
Poetry reading by Carol Rose
Award winning poet Carol Rose will read from her new book, “From the Dream,” at 6:30 p.m. at Sound Mind Cafe, 662 North New Ballas Road in Creve Coeur. Free and open to the community.
Brodsky Library screens film on glory days of Yiddish stage: ‘Komediant’
The Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library’s “Movie Night Series” will continue with a screening of “Komediant” at 7 p.m. in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building. The glory days of the Yiddish stage are brought to life in the funny, bittersweet saga of legendary theatrical family the Bursteins. The documentary incorporates archival footage and interviews with Yiddish stage veterans. Movie snacks and drinks will be served. Admission is $5 per person; free to Friends of the Library. RSVPs required. For more information or to RSVP, call 314-442-3720 or email [email protected].
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group
The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group will meet from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Adult Day Center at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex. Monthly support groups are sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, in collaboration with the JCC, and led by a trained facilitator. Care for family members may be available but must be made by advance registration. Contact caseworker Elaine Most for more information: 314-442-3261.
Thursday, Feb. 20
JOLT holds Israel event
Jewish teens in eighth through 12th grade are invited to a special Israel night at JOLT: Jewish Opportunities and Learning for Teens. St. Louis teens can hear from teens from Israel, learn Israeli self-defense with Krav Maga, participate in a community service activity for Yokneam Magido, St. Louis’ sister city in Israel and enjoy ice cream. An optional dinner is available for pre-registered teens at a nominal cost. Walk-ins are welcome. The event is from 630 to 8:30 p.m. (with an optional dinner beginning at 6) at B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road in Creve Coeur. For more information, contact Maxine Weil at 314-442-3757 [email protected] or Karen Rader at 314-442-3756 [email protected].
YPD kicks off 2014 with Bayou Bash
Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Young Professionals Division will ring in 2014 with the “Bayou Bash” from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Feb. 22 at Windows on Washington, 1601 Washington Avenue. The event will feature dancing to music by the band North of the Quarter and New Orleans-style food and drinks. There will be a collection of non-perishable food items to be donated to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. For every five items donated, attendees will receive an entry for a prize. The cost is $36 before Feb. 20 or $45 at the door. RSVP at ypdstl.org/bayoubash. For more information, contact Lee’at Bachar at [email protected] or 314-442-3817.
Thursday, Feb. 20
Nostalgic sweetheart music
Take a stroll down memory lane during a St. Louis NORC program featuring guests from Lacefield Music Store, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the JCC Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Free and open to the community.
Friday, Feb. 21
Screening of “42” at Covenant Place
Celebrate Black History Month in February with a free screening of “42,” the life story of Jackie Robinson, held at 1 p.m. in the Helene Mirowitz Theatre of Covenant II, 8 Millstone Campus Drive.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Jewish Student Union gala
See related news brief on page 4.
Sunday, Feb. 23
‘Sarah’s Key’ to screen at HMLC
The Sandra and Mendel Rosenberg Sunday Afternoon Film Series will present “Sarah’s Key” at 1 p.m. in the Holocaust Museum’s theater in the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building. Kristin Scott Thomas portrays an American journalist living in Paris who finds her life becoming entwined with the life of a young girl whose family was torn apart during the notorious 1942 Vel’d’Hiv roundup of Jews in Paris. Introductory remarks and a post-screening discussion will be led by Sara Jay, a doctoral candidate in history at Washington University and a Fulbright Scholar to Israel, whose research focuses on modern Jewish history. Free and open to the public; the film runs for 111 minutes. For more information, call 314-442-3714 or email [email protected].
Monday, Feb. 24
Hadassah women’s heart health event
See related news brief on page 4.
Starting Monday, Feb. 24
Class with Rabbi Neal Rose
Sound Mind Café, 662 North New Ballas Road in Creve Coeur, will host a six-session class on conscious aging led by Rabbi Neal Rose at 2:30 p.m. on Mondays starting Feb. 24. Class participants will explore the possibilities and the blessings of growing older. Course cost is $150. Call 314-499-9144 for more information.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Cyndee Levy leads class at Crown
Crown Center for Senior Living welcomes Cyndee Levy from the Central Agency for Jewish Education for a class on “Searching for Meaning in the Great Stories of the Jewish Tradition” at 3:30 p.m. Through text-based study, participants will learn the lessons the rabbis sought to impart through their personal sagas. Free and open to the community. Call 314-991-2055 for more information. Crown is located at 8350 Delcrest Drive.
Crown trip to Missouri History Museum
At 1:30 p.m., Crown Center leads a bus trip to the Missouri History Museum to view the “250 in 250” exhibit and a performance about Veuve Choutea, St. Louis’ founding mother. The guided tour is $3. No cost for the Crown bus during February. RSVP to 314-991-2055.
Tuesday & Wednesday, Feb. 25-26
Nishmah Winter Salon series planned
See related news brief on page 4.
Starting Wednesday, Feb. 26
Six-part class with Carol Rose
Sound Mind Cafe will host a six-session class on “Harnessing the Imagination” led by Carol Rose at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays starting Feb. 26. Participants will explore how to use imagery for healing, creativity and spiritual growth. Course cost is $150. Call 314-499-9144 for more information.
Crown Center Yiddish Group
Join Crown Center for its Yiddish Group at 1:30 p.m., led by Thelma Edelstein and David Levine. Free and open to the community. Call 314-991-2055 for more information.
Ongoing
Exhibit on discrimination, anti-Semitism in St. Louis
“Standing for Justice II: 1950-1980: Documentation From the St. Louis Jewish Community Archives” is on display through April 3 in the lobby of the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. This exhibit illustrates the local Jewish community’s response to discrimination of all types and documents civil rights initiatives. It features photos, documents and artifacts from the Jewish Community Archives, housed in the Saul Brodsky Jewish Community Library. The exhibit is presented by the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, Brodsky Library, Newmark Institute at the Jewish Community Relations Council, stl250 and St. Louis Regional Arts Commission.
NJT production of ‘Whipping Man’
The New Jewish Theatre will continue its 2013-2014 season with “The Whipping Man” by Matthew Lopez, through Feb. 16. Set in Richmond, Va., immediately after the end of the Civil War, the play is based on the experience of Jews who lived in the South during the Civil War and who fought for the Confederate Army.
The play centers on one soldier and two former slaves who were once his property. The soldier returns from the battlefield to find his home in ruins, abandoned by everyone except his two former slaves, who were raised as Jews in the family’s home.
As the three celebrate Passover, they uncover a tangle of secrets. The play runs in the Wool Studio Theatre at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. Tickets are available at newjewishtheatre.org or from the NJT box office at 313-442-3283.
Classes at Covenant Place
The following classes are free and open to the public. For information call 314-432-1610. Covenant Place is located at 8 Millstone Campus Drive in Creve Coeur. Classes take place in Covenant II’s Milford & Lee Bohm Social Hall, unless noted otherwise.
• Wii Bowling every Wednesday at 3 p.m. League play starts Feb. 12.
• Yiddish Club meets every other Monday at 7 p.m. in the Covenant I Harmony Room. Group facilitated by David Levine. All levels welcome.
• RPI physical therapists lead Tai Chi at 11:15 a.m. on Mondays, and chair aerobics exercises at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Larry Glass leads Chair Yoga at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Music Therapist Troy Jones leads bell choir on the second and fourth Thursday of the month.
• Meet with AW Health Care Registered Nurse to discuss medical questions Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in Covenant’s dining room, 10 Millstone Campus Drive.
• OASIS ExerStart evening exercise class for adults 50+, 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; $5 fee for 20-week course (scholarships available).
Yiddish Club at Shaare Emeth
The Yiddish Club at Congregation Shaare Emeth is a unique way to explore the beauty and wisdom of the Yiddish language, literature and culture. The club is held at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month. Shaare Emeth is located at 11645 Ladue Road. For more information, contact Paula Kanyo at [email protected] or 314-692-5372
Congregations and Jewish organizations are encouraged to submit calendar items and news releases to [email protected].
