If you’re married or you’re single and between the ages of 25 and 40, and want to expand your Jewish horizons, F.U.N.K. could be just the thing for you.

The acronym is a bit misleading in that it stands for Forty & Under No Kids. Children of adults in this group are welcome, but only at certain kid-friendly events. And if you’re just a little south of 40, say 41, 42, 43, you’re welcome, too.

The next event takes place Saturday, Aug. 28 at B’nai Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI), 1107 East Linden in Richmond Heights. The evening kicks off with drinks and dessert at the synagogue followed by “A Night at the Museum,” with interested parties heading downtown to the City Museum, 701 North 15th Street. Transportation is not provided.  Admission to the City Museum is $10; rooftop access costs an additional $5.  

Organizer Todd Kaufman explains that he and some friends began F.U.N.K. because they take pride in their Judaism and wanted to network and socialize with other Jews at a similar stage in life. Kaufman is married and has a child on the way.

“We’re older than the Next D’Or crowd and different than Young Professionals Division (YPD) in that we try to have some events that are kid-friendly and some events for adults only with the goal of having fun and meeting new people,” he said. “We want to maintain a strong Jewish identity and raise our families in a Jewish environment among Jewish friends.”

Kaufman, 36, says that a few members of the group are not affiliated with any synagogue but are looking for a way to connect with other Jews. But he is quick to add that observant and non-observant Jews, with or without synagogue affiliation are welcome, and no one shouldn’t be put off with the notion of being a latecomer to the group since the Aug. 28th event is only the second time F.U.N.K. has gotten together.

He also says that both single people and couples are welcome, adding: “We are trying to attract a variety of young adults from all Jewish walks of life. Our purpose isn’t to hook singles up, but we certainly welcome them to take part.”

For more information about F.U.N.K., email [email protected] or [email protected] or call Kaufman at 314-322-6118.

Funny girls

Have you’ve seen the most recent issue of Harper’s Bazaar, which features Jennifer Aniston recreating iconic poses of her idol, Barbra Streisand? Well it’s been making the rounds, including the pages of People magazine. According to several published reports, the two met at a party some years ago. Aniston was quite taken with Streisand, whom she called a “Renaissance woman.”

The feeling is apparently mutual, or at least congenial. On her blog, Streisand posted: “I was very flattered that Jennifer Aniston chose to interpret my style with the photos in Harper’s Bazaar. She’s a delightful person, and I think she did a wonderful job.”

Then she jokingly added, “If only she had a bump on her nose.”

Check one, check two

Just in time for the High Holidays, Block Yeshiva High School has invited expert Sofer (Scribe) Rabbi Heineman to St. Louis to check mezuzahs and tefillin. The rabbi will be stationed at Young Israel, 8101 Delmar Boulevard, from August 15 through 19, but for a fee, these items can be picked up and returned.

Apparently, mezuzahs should be checked every three to four years to make sure they are kosher. The Sofer can see if they have been affected by adverse weather conditions, or by folding (which can cause cracks in the letters), or if any other defect has occurred. The lettering on tefillin can also wear down, which in turn, no longer makes it kosher. Tefillin checking tends to be much more expensive than mezuzah checking because the Sofer has to re-assemble and sew shut the tefillin, which is a time consuming process.

The cost of this checking is $12 for a mezuzah, $80 for tefillin and an additional $35 if pick up and return are required. For more information, contact BYHS at 314-872-8701. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Block Yeshiva Scholarship Fund.