Nishmah welcomes actress Naomi Ackerman back to St. Louis for two special opportunities, in memory of Rebbetzin Paula Rivkin. Ackerman draws upon her vast experience in theater, musicals, film and television to develop programs that promote peace and change and encourage self-empowerment. Rebbetzin Paula Rivkin (z”l) was a powerful advocate for women of all denominations and was the co-founder of the Jewish Council Against Family Violence.

Ackerman will perform “Flowers Aren’t Enough,” a one-woman show for women only at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the Wool Studio Theater at the Jewish Community Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. This 55-minute production explores the life and resilience of a young woman from an upper-middle class family who finds herself in an abusive relationship. A Q&A session will follow the performance. All women, high school and above, are welcome to attend. Tickets are $18.

The second opportunity, a workshop entitled Healthy Expressions-Healthy Relationships, will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the JCC. During the interactive workshop, women will explore the words used when talking to each other.  Women will learn to express needs and desires, and find ways to talk about things that can hurt or make one uncomfortable. The cost is $18 per woman or $30 for both evenings. Register online at nishmah.org or contact Sara Winkelman at [email protected] or 314-442-3268.