ANDREW REHFELD, PRESIDENT AND CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis  has been in that job for four years, and I am embarrassed to tell you that I just met him for the first time a few weeks ago. What is even stranger is that we met not in St. Louis, but in Longboat Key where I was vacationing and he was attending a meeting in nearby Sarasota with other major city Jewish Federation execs.

Andrew told me that the most important change in Federation here since he has arrived is the increase in the number of donors. Last year, for example, Federation had its first increase of donors since 1989.  “The number of donors ages 35 to 50 grew by 10 percent and the number of donors in the 51-to-70 group grew by 8 percent,” he said. These are significant numbers.  As Andrew meets people like you and me, those of us who have not had the opportunity to make his acquaintance sooner, hopefully the numbers will continue to grow to strengthen our Jewish community.

“E.T., THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL” is one of my all-time favorite films. Now Steven Spielberg’s cinematic masterpiece will be shown on the big screen in Powell Hall, accompanied by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra playing John Williams magnificent score. If your kids (or you) have never seen the film, you now have the opportunity to do so with a live music soundtrack, at 7 p.m. April 8 and 9 or 2 p.m. April 10. For tickets, call the SLSO box office at 314-534-1700.

“THE JEW STORE: A FAMILY MEMOIR” BY STELLA SUBERMAN was first released in print in 1998.  It is now available as an audio book recorded by my friend Donna Postel who some of you may remember as the lovely voice of Schnucks.  “It reads like a novel. Stella is a wonderful story teller who made recording the story of her family’s life in rural Texas an absolute joy,” Donna told me.  “The Jew Store” was released last month by Tantor Audio, a division of Recorded Books.

THE ART OF THE MATTER GALA, a fundraiser for the Contemporary Art Musuem (CAM),will be held at 6 p.m. April 15 at the museum, 3750 Washington Blvd., which is a great party venue. Chairing the black-tie event are four couples, all of whom have recognizable names in the Jewish community. They are Jan and Ronnie Greenberg, Nancy and Kenneth Kranzberg, Libby and Marc Goldstein and Dorte and Jim Probstein. 

The evening will feature cocktails, dinner, and dancing as it celebrates CAM’s groundbreaking exhibitions, high-quality arts education, support of local artists, and far-reaching impact on the St. Louis community. An auction—held online and at the gala—will feature artwork from celebrated and emerging artists in a variety of media, including KAWS, Yoshitomo Nara, Arlene Shechet, and Mickalene Thomas. 

Proceeds from the gala go to help fund the museum’s exhibition costs, myriad of educational programs and community workshops in 10 St. Louis neighborhoods. Make your reservations now by contacting Kristyn Brown [email protected]  or 314-535-0770, ext.27.

CHICAGO’S CELEBRATED ENSEMBLE ESPANOL SPANISH DANCE THEATRE will perform April 15-16 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The company is famous for its wide range of dance styles from Flamenco and traditional folkloric to classical and contemporary. Tickets for this world class company’s appearance are available at dancestlouis.org or by calling 314-534-6622.