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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Corey Fox reading from the Torah at his bar mitzvah at Camp Sabra at Lake of the Ozarks. Photo by Jeffrey L. Hirsch.

Israel, outdoors beckon as bar/bat mitzvah destinations

BY PATRICIA CORRIGAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished June 8, 2011

Location, location, location - it matters in real estate and it matters to some young people coming of age. Four local teens - Megan Andreasson, Corey Fox, Abby Hirschman and Josh Kazdan - all opted to become bat or bar mitzvah somewhere other than at...

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The good, the bad and the absolutely embarrassing

Amanda CohenPublished June 21, 2010

The cost of a bar or bat mitzvah . . . substantial. The memories from that special day . . . priceless.We asked seven young adults from the St. Louis area, each of whom celebrated their bar or bat mitzvahs several years ago, to recall what memory or memories...

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Back to the books

Published June 21, 2010

Each Shabbat scores of proud parents beam from synagogue seats as their sons and daughters become bar and bat mitzvahs.But what if the roles were reversed?They were for Dr. Stephen Radinsky of Shaare Zedek. And by accident, quite literally.Twelve years...

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Man’s second bar mitzvah proves inspiring to watch

Rebecca L. BrownPublished June 21, 2010

Why? Why? Why?Those were the three opening words of Cal Levin, a 76-year old bar mitzvah.Why would a 76-year old guy decide to go back and do over what had been done 63 years ago?And what would drive five other women - all in various stages of motherhood...

Cost-conscious party planning

Ellen FuttermanPublished June 21, 2010

If planning a bar or bat mitzvah celebration seems daunting, consider the following tips from local event planner Jamie Vollmer of Inspire PR and Events, which are designed to cut down the cost but not the good time: • Set your budget and priorities...

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Taking a team approach to a mitzvah project

David BaugherPublished June 21, 2010

For five local families it all started out as an informal discussion during a baseball game - but it certainly wouldn't end there."All of the moms were sitting on the bench talking, asking, ‘What are you going to do for a project?'" recalls one of them,...

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Shooting for a great mitzvah project

David BaugherPublished June 21, 2010

It was appropriate that James Fox's Torah portion was on Noah. He could certainly identify with the famous Biblical figure. "There was a huge thunderstorm the night before," said James, a Rockwood Valley Middle School student who will enter the eighth...

Complaints can be constructive — or destructive

Rabbi Josef A. DavidsonPublished June 21, 2010

Complainers - they can be a real pain for those in leadership positions and can threaten the effectiveness of the leader.  They undermine the confidence of those being led as well as of the leader him/herself.  They often take valuable energy away from...

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