Congregations
Published December 26, 2011
Agudas Israel of St. Louis
8202 Delmar Boulevard
St. Louis, Mo. 63124
314-863-8978 • fax: 314-863-0820
email: [email protected]
Rabbi Menachem Greenblatt
Agudas Israel of St. Louis is an Orthodox congregation in the heart of University City. Agudas Israel offers Torah study, classes in Talmud, Jewish law and Bible with a Daf Yomi (page of Talmud a day) class and classes for women and children. A women’s division, N’Shei Agudah, sponsors social and family activities. Agudas Israel currently houses the St. Louis Kollel/Institute for Advanced Talmudic Research.
Gavin Kark is president.
Bais Abraham Congregation
6910 Delmar Boulevard
St. Louis, Mo. 63130
314-721-3030 • fax: 270-721-3034
email: [email protected]
website: www.baisabe.com
Rabbi Hyim Shafner
Bais Abraham Congregation, a synagogue located in the University City Loop area adjacent to Washington University, is a diverse and welcoming Orthodox congregation with a wide array of programming including Shabbat and weekday services, learning groups and classes, family Shabbatons, Sisterhood, Shabbat hospitality programs and Tot-Shabbat group. Individuals and families of all backgrounds and levels of observance are welcome and on Shabbat and there is babysitting for young children.
The congregation is also home to many single young professionals, students, young couples and graduate students. Periodically the congregation hosts the St. Louis Women’s Tefillah Group, and once a month the congregation holds a Shabbat Lunch and Learn event or Friday night Carlebach service and dinner. See “The Shmooze,” Bais Abraham’s weekly e-newsletter, for more information about upcoming programs and Torah study opportunities or visit our website.
Phyllis Shapiro is President.
Congregation Bais Menachem – Chabad
8124 Delmar Boulevard
St. Louis, Mo. 63130
314-725-0400
email: [email protected]
website: www.ShowMeChabad.com
Rabbi Yosef Landa
Congregation Bais Menachem is a community synagogue offering traditional services within a friendly and inviting milieu, under the rabbinic leadership of Rabbi Yosef Landa. Bais Menachem offers complete Shabbat and holiday services, which include a children’s minyan. Shabbat services are followed by a delightful sit-down kiddush. During the week, the Sunday morning “Royal Minyan” at 8:30 a.m. and the year round 9 p.m. weekday Maariv services are popular features. There are no membership dues. Individuals and families of all backgrounds are welcome. An affiliate of Chabad of Greater St. Louis, Bais Menachem was established in 1995. The congregation shares classes, educational, outreach and youth programs with of the local Chabad center.
Dr. Maurice Sonnenwirth is President.
U.City Shul – Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Sha’arei Chesed Shul
700 North and South Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63130
314-863-7485 • fax: 314-863-1975
email: [email protected]
website: www.ucityshul.org
Rabbi Menachem Tendler
The U.City Shul, (Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Sha’arei Chesed) is a “community-focused, family-oriented shul,” where Jews of all backgrounds and levels of observance are welcome.
Two services are offered every Shabbos: a complete traditional service beginning at 8:50 a.m. and a beginner’s service, for both men and women, beginning at 10 a.m. Daily services take place every morning and evening.
The U.City Shul offers holiday programs, special dinners and classes. Bais Medrash programs offer individualized study.
Jews from all backgrounds and or religious affiliations are welcome, in the spirit of an open community shul and Rabbi Tendler is available for all who call on him.
David Rich is president.
Congregation B’nai Amoona
324 S. Mason Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63141-8029
314-576-9990 • fax: 314-576-9994
email: [email protected]
website: www.bnaiamoona.com
Senior Rabbi: Carnie Shalom Rose
Cantorial Soloist: Sharon Nathanson
Executive Director: Michael Samis
Cantor Emeritus: Leon Lissek
An egalitarian, Conservative congregation, founded more than 125 years ago, is progressive and inclusive in every sense of the word. Jews by birth, by choice and interfaith couples are welcome here. In 2011 B’nai Amoona undertook a major project to physically change its bimah to enable everyone access. The congregation boasts an array of social and educational programming for all ages. A minyan is guaranteed, morning and evening, every day of the year. Pardes is the Congregation’s umbrella for Lifelong Learning and encompasses everything from the Early Childhood Center to Religious School to Adult Ed to Summer camps.
Senior Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose is a dynamic spiritual leader and educator in his own right. He inspires congregants with his grasp and understanding of today’s Conservative Jew and charismatically energizes members and guests alike with his relevant interpretations of the Torah portions. Kabbalat Shabbat Services are lively, musical and creative.
The true spirit of the Congregation comes from its members: A community of people who pray, study and celebrate life together in a warm, friendly and spiritual atmosphere.
B’nai El Congregation
11411 North 40 Drive
Frontenac, Mo. 63131
314-432-6393 .fax: 314-432-3763
email: [email protected]
website: www.bnaiel.org
Director of Music: Dan Brodsky
Director of Education: Rabbi Lynn Goldstein
Executive Director: Susan Baseley
B’nai El Congregation, a founding member of the Union for Reform Judaism, is a progressive congregation of 150 members providing spiritual, social, cultural and educational programs for preschool children through adults. Shabbat and festival worship services, Torah study and intergenerational programming combine a liberal outlook with a traditional flavor.
The B’nai El religious school, melding traditional and innovative approaches to Jewish education, places a premium on creativity, experimentation, community and learning for students in K – 12th grade.
Craig B. Roth is President.
B’nai Torah
1701 St. Peters-Howell Road
Mailing address: P.O. Box 595
St. Peters, Mo. 63376
636-279-6524
email: [email protected]
website: www.bnaitorahstchas.net
Rabbi Dale Schreiber
B’nai Torah was founded in 1984. We are the only Reform synagogue in St. Charles County. The congregation welcomes visitors to its lovely sanctuary, to view its replica of the Western Wall, browse through its Art Galleries and Judaica Library, and celebrate Shabbat and the High Holy Days with the Jews in St. Charles County. Services are participatory and include many traditional beautiful Hebrew melodies.
B’nai Torah is a member in good standing with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Shabbat services are a joy for children as well as adults. Members receive free attendance at the annual seder. Low annual dues include Sunday school, Hebrew lessons, bar/bat mitzvah preparation, adult education, free listings in the annual Book of Remembrance, no charge for High Holy Days, annual yahrzeit Service, and attendance at the annual congregational meeting and breakfast. Annual dues, which include all of the above, are $600.
Madi Brown is President.
Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel
1107 E. Linden Avenue
St. Louis, Mo. 63117
314-725-6230 • fax: 314-725-6256
website: www.e-bski.org
email: [email protected]
Rabbi Mordecai Miller
Rabbi Emeritus Benson Skoff
Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI) is a synagogue community committed to the study of Torah (education/learning) T’fillah (worship/prayer), and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). BSKI is respectful of tradition yet welcomes innovation and change. Twice daily minyan, Shabbat and Holiday services are led by Rabbi Mordecai Miller with the active participation of lay members. Weekly Junior Congregation and Tot Shabbat programs are also offered.
Various committees, including Social Action, Men’s Club, Women’s League, Adult Education, Youth Commission and Ritual, make participating in synagogue life more than just wonderful High Holy Days experiences.
Shaare Shalom Religious School is a collaborative effort with Shaare Zedek Synagogue under the direction of well-known local educator Anita Kraus.
BSKI members come from all backgrounds and levels of observance. Many are leaders and volunteers in numerous organizations in the Jewish community as well as the metropolitan St. Louis community.
BSKI is affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. More information including upcoming programs and service times can be found on our website.
Susan Cort is President.
Central Reform Congregation
5020 Waterman Boulevard
St. Louis, Mo. 63108
314-361-3919 • fax: 314-361-2842
email: [email protected]
website: www.centralreform.org
Rabbi Susan A. Talve
Rabbi Randy Fleisher
Since 1984, this city congregation has followed principles that include commitment to Jewish spirituality and values; flexibility in liturgy using language that is creative, non-sexist and non-hierarchical; and responsible moral action in the Jewish and non-Jewish community.
Shabbat services, held every Friday night and Saturday morning, are open to all. The religious school aims to instill a positive Jewish self-image.
The congregation has more than 730 households.
Janet Rodgers is President.
Neve Shalom
1240 Dautel Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63146
314-863-4366
email: [email protected]
website: www.neveshalom.org
Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Neve Shalom (Oasis of Peace), a member of the Network of Jewish Renewal Communities, was founded in 1989 as an imaginative expression of the traditional forms of Judaism.
Committed to celebrating Judaism and accompanying each other through life’s passages, the goal is to create a nurturing community of acceptance and support, celebrating diversity, affirming the individual and welcoming a variety of Jewish identities.
Shabbat services emphasize music as part of the liturgy. Shabbat morning school offers religious studies and Hebrew for both adults and children. High Holy Days services and Passover seder are open to the entire community. Shalvah, an outreach effort to Jewish alcoholics/drug addicts is also a function of Neve Shalom. Neve Shalom hosts Jacob’s Pillow, a coffeehouse for the Jewish performing arts. Neve Shalom also is the site for the Tiferet Gallery, featuring original art in a multi-media gallery setting. Neve Shalom also co-sponsors the Jewish Prison Outreach (JPO). Neve Shalom’s newest program is the Jewish Alliance on Mental Illness St. Louis, known as JAMI STL. Visit our website for more information.
Nusach Hari B’nai Zion
650 North Price Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63132
314-991-2100 • fax: 314-993-4821
email: [email protected]
website: www.nhbz.org
Rabbi Ze’ev Smason
Chazzen Dr. Ethan Schuman
Nusach Hari B’nai Zion (NHBZ) welcomes Jewish families, singles and seniors of all levels of religious knowledge and observance. Religious, social and educational activities include daily minyan, weekly lunch and learns, weekly adult Shabbat learner service, Shabbat luncheons with guest speakers, Synaplex Shabbat experience, monthly all-you-can-eat Pizza Buffets, festive holiday parties and celebrations and observance of Jewish traditions.
NHBZ provides an energetic hub for spirited teen and children’s programming and a kaleidoscope of adult courses as well an extensive Judaic library. NHBZ, affiliated with the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations, is committed to Torah Judaism as well as engagement with the modern world.
Bob Kaiser is President.
Congregation Shaare Emeth
11645 Ladue Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63141
314-569-0010 • fax: 314-569-0271
School: 314-569-1273
Preschool: 314-569-0048
email: [email protected]
website: www.shaare-emeth.org
Rabbi James Bennett
Rabbi Andrea Goldstein
Rabbi Emeritus Jeffrey Stiffman
Cantor Seth Warner
Executive Director: Rosalie Stein
Shaare Emeth is a full-service, inviting, caring Reform congregation. The staff and lay leadership offer many opportunities for Jewish living and worship alternatives are offered weekly. The fully accredited preschool, religious school and summer camps offer a variety of options for Jewish education of our youth. The congregation offers family education programs, outreach to interfaith couples, interpreters for the deaf, adult and children’s choirs, havurot and continuing education. We sponsor youth groups for several age groups and our committees involve hundreds in varying activities. Auxiliary groups include senior groups, a Sisterhood of Shaare Emeth, a Brotherhood, and several mah jongg and bridge groups.
Flexible financial commitment levels are available. Please call Rosalie Stein to discuss membership.
Joe Pereles is President.
Shaare Zedek Synagogue
829 North Hanley Road
University City, Mo. 63130
314-727-1747
website: www.shaarezedek.org
Rabbi Mark J. Fasman
Hazzan Joanna Selznick Dulkin
Baal Koreh: Marvin Lerner
Early Child Center Director: Marty Schaeffer
Religious School Director: Anita Kraus
Youth Director: Liz Redler
Shaare Zedek Synagogue is a warm, welcoming, fully egalitarian synagogue in University City, affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). Shaare Zedek offers a wide variety of spiritual, educational, and social programs to its members and the St. Louis Jewish Community. The congregation has an active core of lay leaders, a strong and involved group of young families with children, an active Men’s Club, and Sisterhood. Members enjoy multiple ways to be involved in planning and participating in activities.
Shaare Zedek is especially proud to offer:
• Daily morning and evening minyanim
• Participatory musical Friday night Shabbat Rinah (Joyous Song of Shabbat) services with full band twice per month
• Vibrant family programs with the DorWays chavurah
• Adult education, life-long learning opportunities, including prominent scholar-in-residence speakers
• Highly respected Early Childhood Center, offering traditional pre-school plus childcare for extended hours
• Shabbat morning Tot Shabbat services and babysitting, and a monthly Kidrash program – midrash storytelling for children K-3rd grade
• Shaare Shalom Religious School (joint-community program sponsored by BSKI and Shaare Zedek) for pre-K through 12th grade, providing Hebrew language and Judaic studies
• Award-winning USY high school youth group (2010 USCJ Midwest Chapter of the Year), and fun groups for younger children: Noar (grades 5-6) and Kadima (grades 7-8)
Mitchell Shenker is President.
Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community
JCC Staenberg Family Complex – Arts and Education Building
2 Millstone Campus Drive
St. Louis, Mo. 63141
314-775-7780 or 314-991-7972
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
website: www.shirhadashstl.org
Rabbi Lane Steinger
All those interested in nurturing their Jewish life and identity are welcome. We seek to enrich ourselves through communal celebrations and prayer, study of Torah and work for social and environmental justice.
As an inclusive and egalitarian community, we welcome all Jews regardless of current levels of observance or past practices. Gay and lesbian Jews, Jews by choice, minority Jews and non-Jewish partners are all invited to share in our community.
Shir Hadash creates a sense of community and caring through the active engagement of its members in the way we conduct our services, approach social justice opportunities and integrate music and the arts into our experience of Judaism.
As a small, participatory community, we appreciate the involvement of all our members. We welcome those who bring intellectual curiosity and creativity, interest in spiritual exploration and new perspectives.
David Roberts and Sue Fischlowitz are Co-Presidents.
Temple Emanuel
12166 Conway Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63141
314-432-5877 • fax: 314-432-7862
email: [email protected]
website: www.testl.org
Rabbi Justin S. Kerber
Rabbi Emeritus Joseph R. Rosenbloom
Temple Emanuel strives to build and nurture a community of people seeking to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. People of many different backgrounds and a wide variety of experiences are represented among our 265 member families with everyone adding to the creative energy in our congregation. Our intimate scale allows us to meet the needs of our members and know each personally. Our worship life seeks to blend our liberal Reform Jewish roots with contemporary sound and language to create a warm, meaningful and participatory worship experience. We are committed to lifelong Jewish learning by providing opportunities for children, as well as adults, during Sunday morning Religious School and at other times during the week. We invite you to join us and see for yourself.
Charles A. Lowenhaupt is president.
Congregation Temple Israel
1 Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin Drive
St. Louis, Mo. 63141
314-432-8050 • fax: 314-432-8053
email: [email protected]
website: www.ti-stl.org
Rabbi Amy Feder
Rabbi Michael Alper
Rabbi Mark L. Shook, Emeritus
Executive Director: Eli Montague, F.T.A.
Congregation Temple Israel is celebrating its 125th year as “A Voice for All Generations.” We are a diverse and welcoming community committed to living Reform Judaism through our vibrant, music-filled worship; our dynamic preschool, religious and Hebrew school programs; our wide range of adult learning opportunities; our emphasis on interfaith dialogue and our dedication to tikkun olam (repairing our world).
Our Deutsch Early Childhood Center meets the needs of today’s families with flexible hours and a variety of programs for children ages 6 months through pre-Kindergarten.
Our Hebrew and Religious Schools instill a love of Jewish learning through a creative curriculum that incorporates worship, the arts, technology, a retreat program, fun electives and more.
We foster Jewish connections and informal education for pre-teens and teens through our youth groups – TIFTY (Temple Israel Federation of Temple Youth) for students in grades 9-12; JYG (Junior Youth Group) for teens in grades 7-8; and Club 56 for 5th and 6th graders. We also offer TI8 (Temple Israel for 8th Graders), a special program designed to engage post-b’nai mitzvah students in Jewish life. TI8 is part of J8M, a collaborative program of St. Louis Reform synagogues targeting 8th graders.
We encourage lifelong learning by providing a variety of adult learning opportunities including monthly Rabbi’s Roundtable discussions, Sunday morning classes with our rabbis, weekly Bible study, book discussions, Hebrew classes and more.
Our worship is participatory and features a variety of popular and traditional musical styles. We use our own creative prayer book to make our worship meaningful and accessible to all.
Temple Israel embraces tikkun olam by supporting causes that are dear to our congregants and by sponsoring programs such as our Mitzvah Day and our Annual Thanksgiving Eve Dinner for Persons In Need.
JoAnne Levy is president.
Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha
14550 Ladue Road
Chesterfield, Mo. 63017
314-469-7060
tickstl.com
Rabbi Aaron Winter
Tpheris Israel Chevra Kadisha (TICK) in West County is an Orthodox Judaic center for spiritual growth in Torah Judaism. TICK’s emphasis is on Jewish outreach and education in a warm environment. There are daily morning and evening minyan services and an educational program that includes Torah classes throughout the week. There is a Shabbos eruv in Chesterfield as well as a full-time mikvah. The synagogue provides lectures, annual Jewish holiday gatherings, an active women’s group, chesed committee and Shabbos children’s programs with an active youth education department headed by a professional youth director.
All fellow Jews are welcome to join us for Shabbos services, Torah classes or holiday events.
Dr. Keith Mankowitz is President.
Traditional Congregation
12437 Ladue Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63141
314-576-5230 • fax: 314-576-1162
email: [email protected]
website: www.tradcong.org
Rabbi Seth D. Gordon
Traditional is a warm and friendly congregation dedicated to Torah and mitzvot in an encouraging and nurturing environment where people grow at their own pace. Our Shabbat services are well-attended, and are followed by delicious kiddushim with many opportunities for socializing. We support traditional minyanim for Shacharit (morning), Minchah-Ma’ariv (afternoon, March through October) and Arvit (evening) throughout the year. Our congregation has both mechitzah and mixed seating sections.
We are especially proud of our strong education programs. Rabbi Gordon teaches classes in Torah, Talmud and Hebrew Language to adults and to teens in our Bet Midrash Program. He also teaches several classes for the community at large. Each bar/bat mitzvah is given the opportunity to lead services and give a d’var Torah.
Our youth actively participate in our services. Periodically, we have services led entirely by our youth, and they enjoy gathering together in our new Teen Lounge.
Throughout the year we sponsor excellent programs and events for all ages including: Scholar-in-Residence Weekend, an annual Israel Bonds Dinner (the only one in the St Louis area), Knosh n’ Knowledge brunches, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Purim and other holiday programs, dinners for various occasions, environmental initiatives, ongoing support for the hungry and poor and two congregational softball teams.
Traditional Congregation is affiliated with the Union for Traditional Judaism (UTJ), which espouses “genuine faith with intellectual integrity.” We are “Big enough to serve you, but small enough to know you.”
Boaz Roth is President.
United Hebrew Congregation
13788 Conway Road
St. Louis, Mo. 63141
314-469-0700 • fax: 314-434-7821
email: [email protected]
website: www.unitedhebrew.org
Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg
Rabbi Roxanne J.S. Shapiro
Cantor Ronald Eichaker
Rabbi Emeritus: Howard G. Kaplansky
Cantor Emeritus: Murray W. Hochberg
United Hebrew is a vibrant and innovative Reform congregation with strong traditional inclinations. The Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center offers a variety of programs for children between the ages of 7 months and 5 years.
Our Millstone Religious School serves children from kindergarten to the 12th grade. Our Rabbi Jerome Grollman Hebrew School teaches students in grades 3 to 7.
Some of our programming includes: adult education classes, children’s activities and club groups, junior and senior youth groups, family educational opportunities, Chavurah groups for all ages, social action projects, Israel programming, guest speakers and cultural events, senior adult programs and an outreach program to welcome Jews-by-choice and intermarried couples and Jews of all backgrounds. Rick Recht is artist-in-residence.
Ed Becker is President.
Young Israel of St. Louis
8101 Delmar Boulevard
St. Louis, Mo. 63130
314-727-1880 • fax: 314-727-2177
email: [email protected]
website: www.youngisrael-stl.org
Rabbi Moshe Shulman
Young Israel of St. Louis invites the community to our warm and vibrant Modern Orthodox shul. At Young Israel, we are committed to the eternal mission of the Jewish people: upholding and safeguarding Torah values, advancing the principles and wisdom of Torah and Western civilization, transforming the inner life of the soul, and putting Israel, the land and the state, at the heart of our national aspirations.
In addition to daily and Shabbat services, we have multiple learning opportunities each week in both formal and informal settings, and ongoing activities for individuals, young couples, families and seniors. We endeavor to engage all in our programming, and all are active participants in our Young Israel family.
Rabbi Moshe Shulman received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Jerusalem Chief Rabbinate, and is a graduate of the Rabbinic Kollel and Sha’al Institute for Rabbinic and Educational Training of Yeshivat Sha’alvim. Before joining Young Israel, Rabbi Shulman served as the rabbi of congregations in Calgary and Toronto. His special interests include Tanach, and the interaction of science, medicine and halacha.
At Young Israel we try to live by the principles of g’milut chasadim and hachnassat orchim, and we welcome the St. Louis Jewish community to come visit our congregation. Located in the heart of University City, please join us for Shabbat or for any of our many classes and activities. Shabbat and Yom Tov guests are welcome to arrange for home hospitality through our hospitality committee. Contact our office for more information.
Dr. Hilton Price is President.
