B’nai Torah

Students were introduced to animals found in the TaNaK on a field trip scavenger hunt at the St. Louis Zoo. The students and parents were divided into three age groups and given 10 animals or 10 clues pertaining to stories found in the TaNaK referencing animals. The winning team was the toddler-kindergarten group, and their worn out parents. The team included: Alia and Adin Cooke, Anya and Devin Dorn, Kaelen Raible, and Ida Moseley along with a little help from group leader Shelby Cohen, and parents Rolf Cooke, Julie Dorn, Sharon Raible and Tony Moseley.

Crown Center

The Gladys & Henry Crown Center for Senior Living has announced new appointments for its 2010 Board of Directors. Executive Director Nikki Goldstein said Jeffrey A. Cohen has been named President. He is a Shareholder and serves on the Executive Committee of the firm Capes, Sokol, Goodman & Sarachan, P.C. in Clayton. Cohen, of Ladue, is active in several civic and charitable organizations. Goldstein also noted three new Board members: Cindy Lander Wallach, Ann Spector and David Lang.

Hadassah

Hadassah welcomed Joan Denison to its recent annual meeting at the Jewish Federation building. Denison, who is Hadassah’s National Director of Grassroots Fundraising, spoke about her recent trip to Israel, including a visit to the Hadassah Hospital Mt. Scopus Rehabilitation Center when Palestinian youths decided to stage a violent demonstration against the completion of the rebuilding of the Hurva Synagogue in the Old City. Inside the rehab center, her group was observing a Christian nurse, in habit, a Muslim patient and a Jewish physical therapist calmly working together on the patient’s rehab, while outside, the demonstrators coming up the road were lighting tires on fire and shooting guns into the air. The Hurva Synagogue in the Old City was destroyed by Jordan in 1948 and has been rebuilt on the same site after nearly a decade of construction. The clash is over the rededication of this synagogue and the perceived implications its reconstruction holds for the rebuilding of the third temple on the Temple Mount, also a holy Muslim site.

Following the talk, the group held its installation and surprised Marion Lipsitz with a 90th birthday celebration. Lipsitz has been active in Hadassah for more than 50 years and was the chapter President from 1956-1958. “It is so wonderful to have someone as vibrant and involved as Marion in our organization. She lends so much to our chapter as a leader and an inspiration for all our younger volunteers (which would include everyone). We are so proud of Marion and wish her a very happy birthday,” said Judy Kramer, current Chapter President.

Inter-congregational softball league

The Traditional Family Values topped the Shaare Zedek Maccabees 17-10. Matt Rosenberg and Jerry Tullman were a combined 8-for-10 and scored five runs.

Traditional’s Tikkunim also shut down the B’nai Amoona Kippah Catchers 14-2. Behind a pitching masterpiece from Jeff Melnick, battery mate Christy Brick led the Tikkunim offense. Other scores:

United Hebrew Kosher Krushers 8, B’nai El/Temple Emanuel Killer BEEs 5; United Hebrew Diamonds 8, Bais Abraham Baisballs 2; CRC City Slickers 5, Temple Israel Tribe 4.

Jewish Family & Children’s Service

Frederic M. Steinbach was elected president of the 2010 Board of Directors of Jewish Family & Children’s Service at its recent annual meeting. He will serve a one-year term and succeeds Cathy Steele, immediate past president.

The recently installed officers of the Board of Directors are as follows: Frederic M. Steinbach, president; Cathy Steele, immediate past president; Cindy Hyken, vice president of financial development; Elizabeth Linkon, vice president of strategic planning; Carla Rosen, vice president of human resources; Karen Suroff, vice president of agency services; David Weiss, treasurer; and Andria Simckes, secretary. New regular board members include Jill Belsky, Sandy Glassman and Carol Young.

 

Jewish National Fund

St. Louisans received a first-hand account of the threat a nuclear weapon in the hands of Iran would pose to Israel.  Speaking at the recent Jewish National Fund breakfast at the Jewish Community Center, Jonathan Adelman, senior fellow at University of Denver’s Korbel School, told the crowd of 150 that support for Israel from the Jewish National Fund was essential “not just for what it does for Israel’s land and social services but also what it means for Israel’s national security.

“Given the Iranian nuclear threat in the years to come, Blueprint Negev – JNF’s major initiative to revitalize Israel’s southern region – is not just a social necessity but a security imperative, ” added Adelman.  

Special guest Missouri Congressman Russ Carnahan said that it is important to understand “the challenges we face as allies of Israel.”

National Council of Jewish Women

The National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis Section (NCJW) recently installed its 2010-2012 Board of Directors. The new executive team includes Farilyn Hale, president; Irene Fowle and Clara Goldman, co- treasurers; Gail Eisenkramer, recording secretary; Abby Susman, vice president-advocacy; Sherri Goldman and Michelle Brooks, co-vice presidents-community service; Nanci Bobrow and Erin Guyer Schreiber, co-vice presidents-development; Susan Katzman, vice-president-leadership; Dianne Goldin, vice-president- membership; Jill Gubin and Cathy Einhorn, co-vice presidents-retail; Kim Goldstone, vice-president-public relations & marketing; Darien Arnstein, state public affairs chair; and Marlene Hammerman, national board representative.  

New board members were also installed and they include: Amy Fenster Brown, Pepe Prince Finn, Hillary Friedman, Karen Goodman and Andrea Newstead.