Saint Louis University’s Pius XII Memorial Library will host a free five-part reading and discussion series called “Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature — Identity and Imagination.” The series explores Jewish literature and culture through scholar-led discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme. The library’s series will explore the theme of “Neighbors: The World Next Door.” The library is one of more than 250 libraries nationwide receiving grants to host the series developed by Nextbook and the American Library Association (ALA).

The first program will explore Journey to the End of the Millennium by A.B. Yehoshua and will be held on Sept. 18, from 10-11:30 a.m. All programs will be held in the Knights Room at Pius XII Memorial Library, 3650 Lindell Blvd. Parking passes will be provided. For details or to register, please contact Patricia Gregory, Ph.D. at 314-977-3107 or [email protected]. Free books are also available.

Additional books will be discussed every two weeks at the library. These books are:

Tuesday, Oct. 2: Red Cavalry by Isaac Babel

Tuesday, Oct. 16: Neighbors by Jan T. Gross

Tuesday, Oct. 30: The Assistant by Bernard Malamud

Tuesday, Nov. 13: Mona in the Promised Land by Gish Jen.

Julia Lieberman, Ph.D. will lead a discussion of the book at each session. Dr. Lieberman is associate professor of Spanish language and literature in SLU’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages and specializes in Sephardic studies (the Jews of Portugal and Spain after 1492) and Israeli culture.

Shaare Emeth plans for September

Congregation Shaare Emeth is sponsoring a variety of events for September. They include:

On Sept. 16 at 12:30 p.m. SEYA (Young Adults) will hold an apple picking at Eckert’s, then make apple crisp for the Jewish Food Pantry.

On Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. SEYA will hold a Sukkot coffee house and wine tasting in the Temple’s courtyard. RSVP to Ronnie Brockman 314-569-0010.

On Sept. 17, there will be a seniors luncheon featuring entertainment by the Yiden Klezmer

On Sept. 25, there will be a Brotherhood luncheon with entertainment by The Klassy Kickers.

September 30 CWRJ (Contemporary Women of Reform Judaism) Cooking Class. Call 314-569-0010 in order to RSVP.

Food Pantry to hold canned food drive

The Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry’s Annual Holiday Canned Food Drive begins on Rosh Hashanah and continues throughout the High Holy Day Season.

Take your canned goods such as tuna, peanut butter, soups, and canned pasta with meat, toiletries, etc. to any synagogue where bags will be available. The food pantry will pick up your donations after Yom Kippur.

Call the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry at 314-812-9309 for more information.

JCC holds Maccabi Club kickoff event

The JCC will be hosting the Maccabi Club Kickoff event for Jewish middle-school aged teens in the 6-8 grades. The event will take place on Saturday night, Oct. 6, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Silo X Haunted Theme Park in Fenton, Mo. The cost is $20 if registered before Sept. 25. Snacks and beverages will be served. For more information, contact Joey Boime at 314-442-3423.

Volunteers needed in University City area

Volunteers drivers are needed to deliver hot kosher meals to homebound elderly in the University City area. We are seeking individuals, families, or organizations that are willing to “adopt a day”, giving approximately one hour of time on various days of the week. If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of older adults, contact Florence Schachter, Director of Social Services, Crown Center for Senior Living: 314-991-2055 or e-mail: [email protected].

Chabad, JCC team up to offer ‘Mommy and Me’

The JCC’s Helene Mirowitz Department of Jewish Community Life and Chabad are partnering together to offer a new “Mommy and Me” class. The curriculum, created and implemented by Rivka Landa is designed to provide toddlers with challenges and opportunities that nurture feelings of competence. Each week, moms and tots will enjoy a new theme incorporating movement, music, sensory play and crafts. Free play provides a time for a child to explore and develop his or her earliest friendships. Classes begin Thursday, Oct. 11 at 10 – 11 a.m. for 8 weeks. For more information, contact Sara Winkelman at 314-442-3268 or [email protected].

Aish hosts talk by former NSA cryptologist Oct. 14

There will be a communitywide lecture featuring Harold Gans, a mathematician and former cryptologist for the National Security Agency, on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at “The Firehouse,” 457 N. Woods Mill Rd., entitled “Creation, the Signature of G-d and Torah Codes.” Call 314-862-2474 for more information.