Shabbat and She’elot (Questions) – Carol Cohen: This program will plan a monthly dinner and discussion, hosted or led by a local Jewish professional, targeted for empty nesters to help re-engage this group into the Jewish community. Each Shabbat and She’elot will be hosted at a different location. The events will be an entry into the Shabbat experience and allow the participants to ask questions to the professional and each other. The goal is to create new social groups that develop into chavurot, and increase empty nester engagement in the community and Jewish life.

• Modern Jewish Living for Young Women – Melanie Paticoff

This program creates meaningful programming for young adult, Jewish women.  These unique events will bring young women together in different locations to grow spiritually, learn from each other and build social networks. One event idea includes a Passover program, which will be presented by a professional interior designer and will show the participants how to organize quickly before the holiday. 

• Shabbat Service in a Pub – Joseph Auteberry

This program, which has been successful in other cities, will allow young Jewish adults a chance to connect to Judaism and others in a non-intimidating and familiar environment. The goal is that by introducing Shabbat to young adults in a different, but comfortable, environment the participants will develop connections with other young Jews, increase their desire to get more involved with the Jewish community and have an increased sense of belonging to the community.

• InTents Jews – Kristofer Wilson

This program will provide young adults the opportunity to experience nature and Judaism while connecting to each other on a camping trip. There will be two, 24-hour camping trips every year with one in the fall around Sukkot and the other in the spring during the days of counting of the Omer.

• Startup Nation and the New Spirit of St. Louis – Ian Lever

This program intends to connect a diverse array of stakeholders from the St. Louis entrepreneurial community, the Jewish community and the Washington University student body to learn about the connection between St. Louis and Israel in the startup realm. The event will bring St. Louis startups and an Israeli startup together to speak about the topic and network with the broader community.  The overall goal is for all of the groups and communities involved to maintain relationships and collaborate in future projects and businesses

Designed to tap the creativity that exists beyond Jewish community congregations, agencies and organizations, the grants were available to individuals or groups of individuals who live in St. Louis. The 2014 grants provide innovators opportunities to experiment and/or test the feasibility and strength of their ideas. In addition, Jewish Federation will provide support through mentor connections, publicity and marketing efforts, peer consultations and brainstorming sessions and strategic planning consultation.

The next Innovation Grant cohort will be launched in 2015. All 2014 grant applicants who were not chosen for this year’s cohort were advised of other funding opportunities in the community and were encouraged to reapply next year.