On April 14, at 7 p.m., St. Louis Chapter Hadassah will host a “Mimounah” party for couples, singles and friends. “Mimounah” is the festival that celebrates the enjoyment of the forbidden foods of Passover. Music, tarot and palm card reading and lots of delicious food and drink. Call 314-991-0434 for more information.

‘DaVinci Code’ talk at JCC

A class on “Exploring the Secrets and Mysteries of The Da Vinci Code” will be offered by CLASS of the J on Thursday, April 19 from 1:30-3 p.m., at the JCC. Rabbi Howard Kaplansky of United Hebrew Congregation will take students into the world of Dan Brown’s novel to discover what is fact and what is fiction. Cost of the class is $7 and registration is recommended. For registration or additional information, call 314-442-3148.

Shaare Emeth will host interfaith music festival

The 16th Annual Interfaith Music Festival benefitting the Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls will take place Sunday, April 29 from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Rd. Call 314-531-4787 for ticket prices and information.

JCC holds Yom Hazikaron memorial service

Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day will be observed with a memorial service on Sunday, April 22 at 7 p.m., at the Jewish Community Center’s Carlyn H. Wohl Building. Yom Hazikaron honors all of the soldiers and civilians who have perished in the many wars and battles for the State of Israel as well as victims of terrorist incidents in Israel. The service is open to the entire community and includes a beautiful array of poems and songs in Hebrew and English. It is coordinated by the Helene Mirowitz Department of Jewish Community Life at the JCC. For more information about this event, contact Rabbi Brad Horwitz at 314-442-3271 or [email protected].

Yom Ha’atzmaut happy hour for young adults

The Jewish Community Relations Council’s St. Louis Israel Connection (SLIC) will host “TLV NIGHTS”, a happy hour for young adults in the spirit of Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel’s Independence Day). The event will feature Israeli music, dancing, cash bar and more on Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. at rBar (St. Louis’ latest hot spot in “The Grove” neighborhood), 4054 Chouteau Ave, 63110. rBar website: www.rbarstl.com. Free and open to people in their 20s and 30s. To RSVP contact Galia Wolff 314-442-3770 or [email protected].

Conference to explore educational topics

Nearly 70% of those interviewed in a survey of Jewish parents of preschoolers in three U.S. cities said that they were doing something different in terms of their Jewish observance or Jewish lifestyle as a result of their child attending a Jewish preschool. With early childhood Jewish education now taking its rightful place on the spectrum of Jewish education, all those who have a stake in successful early childhood Jewish programs — parents, teachers, directors, rabbis, and lay leaders — need to consider how to raise the level of excellence in these programs.

“Our Families, Our Children, Our Future, 21st Century Early Childhood Jewish Education” is the theme of this year’s Early Childhood Conference sponsored by the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education (CAJE). Held concurrently with the annual Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education, this program will take place Aug. 5-9 at Washington University.

Developmental psychologist, educator, child advocate, author, and philanthropist Betty Bardige will offer the keynote address, “Wealth of Words — Building Language, Literacy, Culture, and Community in Early Childhood Jewish Education.”

In addition to sessions focusing on integrating Judaic and general curricula, differing early childhood Jewish education philosophies, and family education, several intensive tracks will be offered.

The Conference is co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis; ARMDI, American Red Magen David for Israel; and the Jewish National Fund, with local assistance from the Central Agency for Jewish Education in St. Louis and the St. Louis Hillel at Washington University. The Early Childhood Conference is partially underwritten by a grant the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Registration, as well as further information about the Conference, is now available online at www.caje.org. For questions, please contact CAJE at [email protected] or 212-268-4210.

J Associates ‘Cabaret’ event at Meadowbrook is success

Meadowbrook Country Club glittered with bright lights, jazzy music and sumptuous food as the J Associates presented their annual gala, this year titled, “Cabaret.”

A sold out crowd of over 370 enjoyed lively bidding on two rooms of silent auction items while sampling a full bar, Cosmo Fountain and hot and cold hors d’ oeuvres.

Guests then were invited to enjoy the extensive dinner buffet and desserts while participating in the exciting live auction led by Fox TV’s Joel Goldberg.

And keeping in line with a true Cabaret, the evening ended with a performance by St. Louis’ own jazz vocalist Erin Bode.

The J Associates extend a special thank you to title sponsor UMB Bank and Entertainment Sponsor, The Ostroff Group, as well as The Erin Bode Group, Aries Lighting and Flower Depot.

Cabaret Co-chairs were Susie Tenzer and Lyn Bortnick.

Money raised from Cabaret and all J Associate events support the programs and services provided by the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis.