JCRC sponsors outerwear drive

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) Bohm Social Justice Initiative is sponsoring the 8th Annual Outerwear Drive for the International Institute, a large resettlement agency located at 3654 S. Grand in St. Louis. The recipients are all refugees, primarily from Uzbekistan and Burma, along with the African countries of Somalia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Burundi, Congo, and Eritrea. New or gently used coats, gloves and hats can be dropped off now through the end of October at the following organizations including the JCRC at the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive; JCC Carlyn H. Wohl Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive; JCC Marilyn Fox Building, 16801 Baxter Road; Shirlee Green Pre-School at Congregation Shaare Emeth, Ladue and Ballas and B’nai Amoona Early Childhood Center at Conway and Mason or at the following businesses including the Clothes Tree, 2538 S. Brentwood or Distinctions, 12354 Olive. For additional information go to www.jcrcstl.org or call 314-442-3894.

Nishmah ‘Salon Series’ begins

On Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m., Nishmah will sponsor the first of four living-room based “salon” discussions on topics of interest to the Jewish community. Ilene Joseph, MSW, LCSW, will facilitate the morning salons and Alyson Aviv, PhD, will facilitate the evening salons, utilizing trigger articles from Hadassah and Lilith magazines. “Salons” will be hosted in private homes. Locations to be given upon registration. The topic will be “Isn’t She Funny? No — Hilarious!” For more information, call Ronit Sherwin at Nishmah at 314-862-2777 or visit the Nishmah website at www.nishmah.org.

Shaving Israel to hold reception

Shaving Israel will hold a reception on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m., at Southwest Bank, 10911 Olive Blvd., featuring Israeli cuisine by Sarajoan Rezak and entertainment by Shir Ami Sings. There will also be a silent auction. Call 314-579-9653 for reservations.

Discussion/forum scheduled

On Monday, Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. at Graham Chapel on Washington University’s campus, Father Gary Braun and Rabbi Avi Orlow will present “This I Believe: The State of Spiritual Life at Washington University” as part of Washington University’s Assembly Series, including a forum for audience participation. Call 314-935-9040 for more information.