Barbara Finch grew up a Presbyterian in West Virginia, the daughter of a lawyer and community volunteer.Her path led eventually to St. Louis, and at 56, she made a life-changing decision: she converted to Judaism after learning about the Jewish concept...

While most people who reach their mid-80s start to slow down, Reva Mae Davis is a proud woman who lives each day to the fullest. At age 85, this retired schoolteacher, world traveler and professional volunteer has more hours in her day than most of her...

Music doesn’t just entertain and uplift audiences, it also has the power to bring people together. That is the mission of David and Jeff Lazaroff.Their band, Brothers Lazaroff, is well-known in the St. Louis area for its eclectic style. Their music...

After he stopped working, David Lander felt he’d have more time for other pursuits. It turns out he was right. “One of the things I wondered when I retired was, ‘Is there an upward limit on how many hours a day or a week someone could read?”...

Spend a little time with Maxine Mirowitz and don’t be surprised if you wind up feeling relaxed, more spiritually connected, even downright Zen. The 56-year-old yoga enthusiast has a truly calming aura that is infectious. But she says she wasn’t...

Robert “Bob” Stein still remembers his first home visit to an immigrant family while volunteering for the International Institute. “I walk into the home and it was very hot,” said the 66-year-old. “The air conditioning was working but...

Ask a group of high school students to name their favorite celebrity and you’ll get answers such as actress Emma Watson or singer Demi Lovato. Hannah Maurer marches to a different drummer. Her “political crush” is voting rights activist Jason...

Being president of the board at Covenant Place during the biggest decision in its history was a tough job but Steve Gorin is quick to credit others for the accomplishment. “We had the right executive director in place,” recalls Gorin, 55, as...

On Thursday, May 17, members of the community came out to support the Jewish Light’s 9th class of Unsung Heroes, as well as pay tribute to the event’s founder and honorary chair, Sheri Sherman. The Jewish Light’s 2018 Unsung Heroes are Robert Stein,...

Jerri Livingston likes to joke about how much time she gives to others.“I frequently kid that with all the volunteer work that I do, they couldn’t pay me enough,” she said with a laugh.Fortunately, they don’t have to. Livingston has served on...

Pediatrician Sharon Dunski Vermont always thought she had two daughters.She pictured them wearing white dresses at their weddings and then giving her grandchildren. “That was my dream for my children,” said Vermont, 48, who belongs to Congregation...