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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Lifestyles

Lauren Goldberg (front row, second from left) and some of her pumpkin-making crew in the Temple Israel kitchen.

Mitzvot from the heart: Lauren Goldberg

Published March 5, 2015

Lauren Goldberg, Congregation Temple Israel “Help Lauren Brighten The Holidays” was the name of Lauren’s mitzvah project. Because her bat mitzvah fell over the Thanksgiving weekend, Lauren, daughter of Susan and Paul Goldberg of Ladue, wanted to...

Mitzvot from the Heart

Jack Kahn, Congregation Shaare EmethPublished February 25, 2015

“My Torah reading was about the Tower of Babel and how people wound up spread across the world with different languages. It struck me how important the power of communication is,” said Jack, son of Barbara and Alan Kahn of Frontenac.Learning to read,...

At Henry Plumbing, Dylan Vermeire shows some of the designs of the donated mini-tile designs.

Mitzvot From The Heart: Dylan Vermeire

Published February 19, 2015

Dylan Vermeire, Temple EmanuelA student at Holt High School in Wentzville, Dylan Vermeire, son of Laura and Drew Vermeire of Lake St. Louis, chose to support the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) for his mitzvah project. What follows is Dylan’s first-hand...

Jacob Stone and his cousin Eva (above) at the kickball fundraiser Jacob organized to benefit the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation.  

Mitzvot from the Heart: Jacob Stone

Published February 4, 2015

Jacob Stone, United Hebrew CongregationJacob Stone found inspiration for his mitzvah project close to home, in a medical condition affecting his grandfather: cervical (head and neck) dystonia.Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder, in which the...

Joshua Cole (left) is pictured with Jim Donahoe at the bowling alley at the St. Louis VA Medical Complex.  

Mitzvot from the heart: Joshua Cole

Published January 28, 2015

Joshua Cole, Congregation Shaare EmethAs Josh was listening to St. Louis Public Radio (90.7 KWMU), a story was featured about a bowling alley at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Jefferson Barracks. The news reporter noted that the bowling...

Mitzvot from the Heart: Jordan DeBlasi

Published December 31, 2014

Jordan DeBlasi, Congregation Shaare EmethJordan DeBlasi, son of Dana and Vince DeBlasi of Ballwin, chose to use his mitzvah project to help military veterans. He supported a food pantry at Jefferson Barracks run by H.E.R.O.E.S.  (Homefront Enabling Relationships,...

Yael Portman (left) chose to support the ALS Association with her mitzvah project. She is shown at the organization’s Walk to Defeat ALS with her sister, Merav.

Mitzvot from the Heart: Yael Portman

Published December 18, 2014

Yael Portman, Kol Rinah In 2010, Yael’s cousin in Israel, Uri Lipzin, died from ALS. Uri, known as “The Father of Recreational Games in Israel,” was a very active person, a sportsman, educator and coach. He was still teaching and playing with his...

Mitzvot from the Heart: Eliza Hurwitz

Mitzvot from the heart: Eliza Hurwitz

Published December 3, 2014

Eliza Hurwitz, Congregation Shaare EmethEliza, daughter of Ellie DesPrez and Seth Hurwitz of St. Louis County, chose to support the work of Magdalene St. Louis, which is due to open in the spring in Old North St. Louis, near Crown Candy Kitchen. Magdalene...

MItzvot from the heart: Alexis & Ashlyn Zeldin

Published November 26, 2014

Alexis & Ashlyn ZeldinDuring Alexis and Ashlyn’s two years of bat mitzvah study, the twin daughters of Janine and Kevin Zeldin of Creve Coeur learned that tzedakah is a major part of being Jewish. “It is doing the right thing and helping make...

MITZVOT FROM THE HEART

Lucas Blucher, Congregation Shaare EmethPublished October 15, 2014

“Last year I got glasses for the first time,” said Lucas. “This happened after I was complaining that it was becoming difficult to see things that were far away when I was at school.” Lucas knew that having glasses would make a positive difference...

For her mitzvah project, Jillian Wolfman partnered with a friend and fellow Girl Scout to bring share their love of music  with residents of two local senior living facilities. 

MITZVOT FROM THE HEART: Jillian Wolfman

Published October 1, 2014

Jillian Wolfman, Congregation Temple IsraelFor her mitzvah project, Jillian wanted to do something sustainable and meaningful and to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Daughter of Natalie and Neil Wolfman of Creve Coeur, Jillian loves music...

Jeremy Alport

Mitzvot from the heart: Jeremy Alport

Published September 18, 2014

Jeremy Alport, Temple EmanuelResidents at the Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield’s nursing home had the good fortune to hear Jeremy play the piano and clarinet several times a month. Son of Stephanie and Richard Alport of Chesterfield, Jeremy wanted to...

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