Nishmah presents The Journey 2019, a biennial, pre-Passover event on Wednesday, April 3, at the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex. This year’s festive and inspirational evening explores the theme “B’chol Dor V’dor: Celebrating women’s resilience throughout the generations and all over the world.” More than 300 women and girls (second grade and up) representing the breadth of the Jewish community come together to acknowledge our triumphs through stories, music, dance and food. 

The event will feature entertainment by Elana Jagoda Kaye, a performer, composer, prayer leader and music educator who blends an energetic folk-rock vibe with her passion for world music. She will be accompanied by local St. Louis talent, Lucy Greenbaum, a member of Washington University’s Staam a capella group and the Jewish Music, Worship, and Education Intern at Congregation Shaare Emeth.

Nishmah will honor Lynne Kipnis with the Ner Tamid Award for her dedication to the Jewish community facing cancer, and for establishing Sharsheret Supports St. Louis. Kipnis, a clinical psychologist with a long-standing interest in children and women’s health issues, has devoted more than 16 years to educating the St. Louis medical and Jewish communities about the increased hereditary cancer risks this population faces. She continues to be an active leader as the Chair of Sharsheret Supports’ Advisory Committee. She will be the second recipient of this award, given to leaders who bring light to the community. 

The Journey 2019 begins with a welcoming wine reception at 6 p.m., with the main program at 6:30, featuring a multisensory experience with ancient and modern stories of resilience, musical performances and a kosher (vegetarian/dairy), family-style dinner catered by Rachel Persellin-Armoza. The evening ends with a festive Mimouna reception, a traditional Moroccan conclusion of Passover with sweets, music and dancing.

Tickets at $54 per guest and $25 per student (2nd grade and up) and ad/tribute purchases are available at jccstl.com/journey. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shira Kraft, Director of Nishmah, at 314-442-3111 or [email protected]

The event is co-chaired by Orna Dar, Val Toskin and Julie Yawitz.