By Margaret Gillerman, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 29, 2019
Barbara Finch grew up a Presbyterian in West Virginia, the daughter of a lawyer and community volunteer.Her path led eventually to St. Louis, and at 56, she made a life-changing decision: she converted to Judaism after learning about the Jewish concept...
By Ellie S. Grossman, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 29, 2019
While most people who reach their mid-80s start to slow down, Reva Mae Davis is a proud woman who lives each day to the fullest. At age 85, this retired schoolteacher, world traveler and professional volunteer has more hours in her day than most of her...
Story & Photos by Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 29, 2019
Music doesn’t just entertain and uplift audiences, it also has the power to bring people together. That is the mission of David and Jeff Lazaroff.Their band, Brothers Lazaroff, is well-known in the St. Louis area for its eclectic style. Their music...
Julie WilliamsJulie Williams has been a docent at the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center for a full decade and even sits on the docent advisory committee. It is a role that allows her to make change happen every day as field trips from schools across...
Reva Mae DavisSince 2007, Reva Mae Davis has played an integral role in advancing social and economic justice for all women, children and families. She is on the steering committee of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis’ Back to School! Store...
Eight individuals and two groups will be recognized as the 2019 Jewish Light Unsung Heroes at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the 560 Music Center, 560 Trinity Ave. in University City. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event, which will also pay...
By Carol Wolf Solomon, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 25, 2018
Sometimes the benefits of working out extend well beyond physical fitness. In the case of Jan Abrams, a session on the treadmill landed her a dream job. Seven years ago, as Abrams was exercising at Wellbridge Athletic Center & Spa, Susan E. Block...
BY ERIC BERGER, STAFF WRITER
• Published May 25, 2018
In 2012, one of Sophie Malik’s friends from Daar Ul Islam Mosque asked her what she had planned for Christmas.A Muslim, Malik does not celebrate the holiday, so she replied: “I’m probably going to go to the movies. I might go to a Christmas lunch...
By BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 25, 2018
Chat for a while with Susan Kottler and you’ll learn something new about St. Louis history. Or the St. Louis Zoo or the St. Louis Art Museum or the Pulitzer Arts Foundation or the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Kottler has been a docent at all four...
By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 25, 2018
After he stopped working, David Lander felt he’d have more time for other pursuits. It turns out he was right.
“One of the things I wondered when I retired was, ‘Is there an upward limit on how many hours a day or a week someone could read?”...
BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR
• Published May 25, 2018
Spend a little time with Maxine Mirowitz and don’t be surprised if you wind up feeling relaxed, more spiritually connected, even downright Zen. The 56-year-old yoga enthusiast has a truly calming aura that is infectious. But she says she wasn’t...
By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish Light
• Published May 24, 2018
Robert “Bob” Stein still remembers his first home visit to an immigrant family while volunteering for the International Institute.
“I walk into the home and it was very hot,” said the 66-year-old. “The air conditioning was working but...
