HADASSAH’S THIRD ANNUAL DREAM KITCHEN TOUR will be bigger and better than ever, thanks to a new partnership with St. Louis HOMES & lifestyles magazine and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). This year’s tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 13 will include outstanding homes in the Town and Country, Frontenac, Ladue and Creve Coeur areas. Kitchen styles include modern, traditional, eclectic and contemporary and will showcase remodels as well as classic new construction. Several of the designers are to be present in “their” kitchens to answer questions. This is an unusual opportunity to see the latest in appliances, tiling, counter-tops and space design and receive information about each of the featured kitchens including facts about designers, suppliers, architects and product brands. If you are contemplating remodeling your old kitchen or even building a house, the Hadassah Dream Kitchen tour is for you.

My idea of a dream kitchen is one that will cook for you, while I have friends whose dream ovens have been transformed into planters. However, this Dream Kitchen tour is not only for the dedicated cook or the non-cooker but it is a fundraiser for one of the world’s great institutions, Hadassah. The cost is $25 per ticket which may be pre-purchased by calling 314-991-0434 or on line at www.stlouishadassah.org.

I asked Diane Maier, St. Louis Chapter Hadassah V.P. of Signature Events, for a brief description of Hadassah, what it does and where the proceeds will go. Mistake! There is no such thing as brief when it comes to Hadassah. Her response was “Take a couple minutes, Lois, turn on the sound on your computer and click on www.hadassah.org/extraordinary. It will explain a lot. One of the great difficulties with brief is that our mission is huge and unbelievable and very hard to describe in a couple sentences. We have two hospitals, two youth aliyahs for children at risk, Hadassah College Jerusalem and we are the second largest employer in Jerusalem after the government.” With its 300,000 members in the United States, Hadassah has great clout as an advocate locally and nationally and informs our elected representatives on issues of concern to Hadassah such as stem cell research, health care reform, reproductive freedom and separation of church and state. Having said all this I suggest that you click on the above link and enjoy a tour of Hadassah. Then get your tickets for the Kitchen Tour.

“NOURISHING THE JEWISH SOUL…LEARNING, LAUGHTER AND LYRICS” is the subject of the 57th Alfred Fleishman B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism to be held October 30 to November 1 at Rend Lake Resort in southern Illinois. Rabbi Susan Talve, of Central Reform Congregation, will serve as the weekend’s Scholar in Residence and will be joined by her husband, balladeer Rabbi James Stone Goodman of Congregation Neve Shalom. Rabbi Talve will lead discussions on “Superstitions in Judaism”, “The Chosen People — Why Didn’t Our Ancestors Leave Well Enough Alone?” and “Judaism in the 21st Century…Survival and Renewal”.

During Friday night’s social hour there will be a sing-along with Tommy Goldenberg. On Saturday evening, Rabbis Talve and Goodman will entertain with “Stories and Songs of Sephardic Jews.” I am assured that there will also be ample time for golf, boating, bridge, Mah Jongg, reading, bicycling, fitness and nature walks.

You may either drive the two-hour trip in your own car or take the bus which costs and additional $37 and leaves from Shaare Emeth promptly at 1 p.m. on the 30th. The Institute will adjourn on Sunday in ample time for you to return to St. Louis and to attend the opening of the Jewish Book Festival.

Named for the late Alfred Fleishman, the Fleishman B’nai B’rith Institute of Judaism is dedicated to the study of Judaic subjects in a learning, relaxing atmosphere. The weekend, which balances learning, socializing and entertainment, is co-chaired by Lee Brandon, Adrienne Jackson, Bonnie Solomon and Marcia Tash.

The cost is $225 per person for double occupancy or $300 per person for single occupancy.

Although the end of October seems to be a long way off, space at the Rend Lake Resort in Wayne Fitzgerrell Park is limited, so make your reservation soon by sending a check, payable to Fleishman B’nai B’rith Institute to Melvin Tash, 12049 Craig View Dr., St. Louis Mo., 63146.