Dr. Mohammed Waheed-Uz-Zaman Rana is the 2007 winner of the Malachi Award for Interfaith Relations. The award recognizes Dr. Rana’s tireless work on behalf of interfaith cooperation and understanding. His cheerful demeanor and wise counsel have served and continue to serve his efforts in establishing ties between the greater interfaith community and Islamic congregations in St. Louis. Dr. Rana has been a mentor for an increasing number of Muslims who actively serve and lead on the Board of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Since 1968, he has taught on the faculty of St. Louis University Medical School. Currently he is a Professor in the Department of Anatomy.

The award was created and endowed by Temple Israel members Jack and Ellen Deutsch, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Temple’s founding in 1886. Award winners receive a cash prize and a medal designed by St. Louis sculptor Ernest Trova. Award winners are invited to receive their award within their own faith community as well as at a Temple Israel event which will be Friday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m.

B’nai Torah to hold potluck

B’nai Torah extends an invitation to the community for a pot luck on July 6 at 6 p.m. Shabbat Services will be at 7:30 p.m. RSVP to Jack Cohen at 636-397-0309.

YPD to hold event at stadium

The Young Professionals Division of the Jewish Federation will honor young philanthropists with an evening at Busch Stadium’s Redbird Club on Sunday, July 15, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tickets are $20 per person and include a stadium tour, ballpark fare dinner, dessert, beer and parking. Reserved parking is available in Lot A, located at 7th and Cerre. Suggested dress is ballpark casual.

A minimum gift of $100 or more to Jewish Federation’s 2007 Annual Campaign entitles the donor to the “General Admission” portion of the event. YPD VIPs (those who join the Kol Yom Society and donate $365 or more) will receive additional perks. To make a tax-deductible donation, either go online at www.jewishinstlouis.org or contact 314-442-3865.

For more information, contact Margo Schwartz, director of YPD at 314-442-3865 or [email protected].

Temple Israel recognizes interfaith relations leader

Temple Israel announced that Dr. Mohammed Waheed-Uz-Zaman Rana is the 2007 winner of the Malachi Award for Interfaith Relations. Rana has worked to establish ties between the greater interfaith community and Islamic congregations in St. Louis. Dr. Rana has been a mentor for an increasing number of Muslims who actively serve and lead on the Board of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis.

The award was created and endowed by Temple Israel members Jack and Ellen Deutsch, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Temple’s founding in 1886. Award winners receive a cash prize and a medal designed by St. Louis sculptor Ernest Trova. In addition, their names are engraved on a wall sculpture at the Temple, also designed by Trova. Temple Israel will recognize Rana during an event on Friday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m.

Torah Prep, Target sponsor summer Read-a-Thon

Torah Prep, in conjunction with Target, is running a summer reading program for students in kindergarten-eighth grade. Books read between June 20 and Aug. 20 are eligible for prizes. An approved reading list is available upon request. Call the school office at 314-569-2929 for more information.

Registration begins for JCC’s ‘Mothers Circle’ class

The Helene Mirowitz Department of Jewish Community Life at the Jewish Community Center, beginning in September 2007, will be offering another session of “The Mothers Circle,” an 8-month intensive class for non-Jewish women raising Jewish children.

Tuition and childcare are free; no prior Jewish knowledge is required. The course, made possible through funding from the Fox Foundation, is slated to start in September. Registration for the course is beginning now. To register, to refer someone for the course or for more information contact Marci Boyer at 314-432-5700 ext. 3304 or [email protected].

Neve Shalom sponsors Raza program

Raza, also called “The Secrets” is a program of strategies and practices of a new Jewish spiritual life, created and convened by Rabbi James Stone Goodman, of Congregation Neve Shalom.

Raza is a series of three sessions integrating text study, meditation, music — deep study on the subjects of the power of blessing, the secret of Shabbat, the mystery of One and many, the secret of masculine and feminine, hidden and revealed, on three Monday evenings in July : July 9, 16, and 30 at 7 p.m.

There will be a $5 per session donation requested at the door. Materials will be distributed at class. All events take place at Congregation Neve Shalom, 1240 Dautel, in the Rainbow Village. Dautel is one mile west of Lindbergh off of Olive. For information, call 314-863-4366.