J Associates offers ‘Dancing in the Loop’

DANCING IN THE LOOP on Saturday, April 10 at the Pageant is a local version of the popular television show, DANCING WITH THE STARS. Created by the J Associates, a support organization of the Jewish Community Center, Dancing in the Loop will feature local celebrities coupled with professional dancers from Simply Ballroom competing to be one of the two winning teams. The evening will begin at 6:30 and includes dinner catered by Russo’s, the dance competition, a performance by the Simply Ballroom dancers and a silent auction. Purchase your tickets before March 27 and they are only $85 per person. They are $100 after the 27th but in any event advance reservations are a must. There are also sponsor levels ranging from $125 to $5,000. To nail your place for this evening call Erika Zoll, Director of Development for the JCC at 314-442-3189.

Among the local celebrities dancing up a storm will be radio and television personalities, business people, math and Hebrew teacher Galia Movitz and the J’s own Lynn Wittels, President and CEO of the JCC. Their partners will be the professional dancers from Simply Ballroom. Guest emcee for the evening is Leisa Zigman, news anchor and investigative reporter for KSDK. Although this promises to be a fun-filled evening, it is also one with a significant purpose. The funds raised from Dancing in the Loop will provide financial assistance for the growing number of families, children and seniors in the entire St. Louis community who could not otherwise afford the full cost of the programs and services provided by the JCC such as infant day care, senior adult nutrition, Alzheimer’s programs, and equipment and services for people with disabilities. For almost 25 years J Associates, consisting of 450 women volunteers, has hosted fundraising events for individuals and families in need in the greater St. Louis community regardless of age, race and religion.

LOIS GOULD was honored recently with the Jewel in the Crown Award, Crown Center’s recognition of an individual who has demonstrated a strong and sustained commitment to fulfilling the Crown Center mission. That mission is “to provide affordable, quality, independent living in a caring, secure, diverse and friendly atmosphere, honoring the Jewish tradition.” Founded in 1967 by the National Council of Jewish Women as The Delcrest, the Gladys and Henry Crown Center for Senior Living has grown significantly to become home to more than 250 seniors as well as a community center. I suspect that Gould has been a contributing board manner for many of those years.

Equating Gould with a fine jewel is entirely appropriate as she is both beautiful and brilliant. She was the first woman president of her congregation, Temple Emanuel, where she taught Holocaust studies and comparative religion. She has served as chair of the St. Louis Holocaust Commission, which is one of her passions. Those who have served on boards or in organizations with her (I am privileged to be one of those) know well her unfailing sense of humor and her tenacity to make the world a better place. Congratulations, Lois Gould.

BACK IN THE MIDDLE AGES, even before Robert A. Cohn became Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Light, this column was known as The Women’s World. Cohn, in his infinite wisdom, suggested that since it was read by men, women and children it should be bear my name instead. However as I write this column I get the feeling that we are indeed living in a women’s world. Look at the 55th class of Women of Achievement and you will see 10 outstanding women whose volunteer contribution to the community will be recognized at the Ritz-Carlton on May 18. Among them are three of our co-religionists — Cynthia Kagan Frolichstein for Lifetime Service, Karen Kalish for Multi-Cultural Leadership and Rita Sweiner for Spirit of Giving. Leading the pack as President of WOA is Alice Handelman. Watch out guys. This may really become a woman’s world.

MEET M GRALNICK ENTERPRISES, LLC. Here’s another woman mover and shaker who has just founded a consulting service to individuals, non-profit organizations and corporations, within and outside the St. Louis area. Michelle Gralnick is well-known in this community for all of her invaluable activities. She was Executive Director of St. Louis Breast Cancer Coalition and later of B’nai B’rith St. Louis Missouri Lodge #22; Mid- America Regional Director of B’nai B’rith International and was the Bilingual Administrative Assistant for Optimist International. Some of you may know her as the first President of the University City Alumni Association. All this is just the tip of the iceberg. Gralnick has pooled all her extensive professional experience to found M Gralnick Enterprises and hopes that her strategic planning and PR/marketing experience will be helpful to individuals, non-profit organizations, and corporations. For more information, go www.mgralnickenterprises.com.