Three-week teen trip to Israel

Jewish Federation of St. Louis is accepting applications for Israel Bound 2017, a three-week trip to Israel bringing together Jewish high school students from around the community. Participants will have the opportunity to explore ancient Jerusalem and modern Tel Aviv, climb Masada at sunrise, ride a camel, float in the Dead Sea, visit the Western Wall and much more.

The trip will run from June 11-July 2. The total cost is $5,550, including flights. Participants can save $200 booking by Dec. 1. An additional $750 travel grant is given to all St. Louis teens.

For more information, contact Karen Rader at 314-442-3756 or email [email protected].

Register online at JFedSTL.org/Israel-Center.

Bais Abe’s weekend of learning about science and Judaism at first Shabbaton

Bais Abraham Congregation will host its first Shabbaton, Nov. 11-12, which will focus on scientific advances in regard to their relationship to Judaism. Featured speaker Rabbi Dov Linzer, head of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah rabbinical school in New York, will consider topics such as how Judaism reacts to space travel, the Jewish view of artificial intelligence and halacha concerns regarding genetic engineering and cloning.

Weekend events include a Friday night lecture and discussion followed by dinner; Saturday services, lunch and panel discussion and Shabbat family sci-fi movie. 

For more information, call 314-721-3030 or visit baisabe/scienceshabbaton.

JCA Charitable Foundation seeking grant applications

The JCA Charitable Foundation is currently accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations and agencies that provide aid, assistance, and relief to the Jewish elderly.  Funds may be used for new and creative community programs, activities and purposes that are religious, social, educational, recreational, or related to the health and wellness of the elderly.  The grant will support new initiatives dedicated specifically to providing a positive and material difference in the lives of seniors in the Jewish community.  The grants will be in the range of $10,000 – $25,000. 

To receive a grant application, e-mail a request to [email protected].  Applications must be submitted by Dec. 5.

Jewish Federation’s Center for Jewish Learning offers Hebrew classes

A Level I Hebrew Reading Crash Course, designed for Jews with little or no background in Hebrew, will be offered on Tuesdays beginning Nov. 1 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Level II courses, geared to improving and expanding Hebrew comprehension skills and fluency, will be offered on Mondays beginning Oct. 31, from 10:30 a.m. to noon and evenings from 7- 8:30 p.m. Faculty member Rabbi Shulamit Cenker, who recently joined the St Louis community, will be facilitating the classes at the Jewish Federation building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. Each class will need a minimum of four students enrolled for the full eight-week course. Tuition for each course is $120. Scholarships are available upon request. 

To register or for more information, contact Cyndee Levy, 314-442-3754 or [email protected] or go to  JFedSTL.org/Adult-Education-Classes.