The J – St. Louis and the St. Louis Jewish Federation view Shalom St. Louis as an important investment in the future of Jewish life in the region, ensuring that those who relocate to St. Louis are met with warmth, guidance, and meaningful pathways to engagement.
The boxes are stacked in the living room. School forms are filled out. Someone has already found the nearest grocery store and figured out which highway exit leads to Busch Stadium.
Then comes the quieter question: How do we plug into Jewish life here?
“Where do I begin?” is often the first question, said Stephanie Gross, the new community engagement specialist for Shalom St. Louis, a new initiative connecting Jewish newcomers to the St. Louis Jewish community.
Her job is to make sure there’s an answer.
“St. Louis has such a vibrant and diverse community that it can be hard to know where to start,” Gross said. “There are so many wonderful organizations and programs out there. There is truly something for everyone; it is sometimes just knowing where to look and how to get started.”
The challenge, she added, is walking into a room alone.
“St. Louis can be a hard community to break into; many people here are from multi-generational families or have been here a long time,” Gross said. “It can be challenging to be new and walk into an event not knowing anyone.”
That is where Shalom St. Louis comes in.
“We are able to meet with people one-on-one and form that genuine connection,” Gross said. “From there we build a relationship with newcomers and understand their interests and needs and connect them to the right people, programs and services that will help them feel at home in the St. Louis Jewish community. The mitzvah of hachnasat orchim, welcoming guests, is not just about inviting people in but also making them feel honored, relaxed and at home.”
Why Shalom St. Louis exists now
Rabbi Brad Horwitz, director of Jewish Engagement and Adult Programs at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, which oversees the Shalom St. Louis program, said the pattern Gross describes is familiar.
“Most Jewish families moving to St. Louis don’t know exactly how to connect with the community unless they have a personal connection through family or through their job and that is a small percentage,” Horwitz said.
“The hardest thing is meeting new people and making friends, especially because St. Louis does not have a large transplant community and many Jewish families have lived here for generations.”
Gross agrees that information alone is not enough.
“A website, directory or brochure is a great starting point, but a one-on-one connection is invaluable,” she said. “The Torah reminds us that we were all strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Horwitz said having a designated connector changes the experience.
“It’s all about making personal connections and relationships and having someone with a breadth of knowledge of the entire St. Louis community to help newcomers plug in which is tailored to their interests and comfort levels,” said Horwitz. “This is different because Shalom St. Louis is a non-denominational project that has no mission other than to just help people find their place in the St. Louis Jewish community.”
Right now, Shalom St. Louis is laying groundwork. Conversations are beginning. Introductions are being made.
“Six months from now, I hope that these individuals and families are happy and more settled in the St. Louis Jewish community,” Gross said. “A happy community leads to a strong community. And that’s a win for everyone.”
Newcomers interested in connecting can reach Gross directly or through the J.
