On Sept. 25, Chabad of Chesterfield will debut “TENTalks: Inspiring Jewish Values” at Meadowbrook Country Club in St. Louis. Modeled after TED Talks, the event will feature ten local professionals, artists, and business leaders, sharing personal experiences shaped by Jewish teachings and values.
The launch of TENTalks: Inspiring Jewish values
“Our goal at Chabad is to bring people together—connecting them to each other, to the community and to their Judaism,” said Chanala Rubenfeld, co-director of Chabad of Chesterfield. “What better way to do that than through storytelling? I believe everyone has a story to share and when we listen, we can learn, be inspired and truly connect with one another.”
How TENTalks highlights Jewish values in action
Each speaker brings a unique perspective on how Jewish values—whether learned from family, mentors, or personal reflection—have shaped their approach to everyday life.
One interesting aspect of selecting the speakers was that nearly everyone Rubenfeld approached didn’t initially believe they had a story worth sharing.
“Almost everyone we approached initially said, ‘I don’t have a story to share.’ But once they sat down to reflect, it was amazing to see the transformation. One of our speakers, for example, is a Jewish man in the Wrestling Hall of Fame who never lost a match—an incredible story that he didn’t even realize was extraordinary at first,” said Rubenfeld.
Chabad of Chesterfield connects community through TENTalks
Throughout the past week, Rubenfeld has been introducing the speakers on Facebook, offering glimpses into the unique stories that will be shared at the event.
- Debbi Braunstein
Life threw a curve ball at Debbi but you’d never be able to tell. Like a true New Yorker, Debbi doesn’t know how to say no. When she could easily say I can’t, instead she says HOW can I? - Emily and Mark Morgan
The real deal HEROES. Nothing in life happens by coincidence. Gd certainly knew what He was doing when he blessed Mark and Emily with triplet girls shortly after they adopted their son. Just imagine for a minute… 4 (!!) babies in diapers, getting them all into their car seats. - Rachel Miller
I pray to Hashem that when I am in my 90s, I will Gd willing, have as much energy, class and beautifully polished nails just like Rachel Miller!! There’s not much to say when it comes to hearing the story of a holocaust survivor. You just need to hear it. Every story that you possibly can. Straight from their mouths, the mouths of the people that were there, the survivors. It’s our obligation. - Julie Yawitz
In life we don’t get to choose our situations in life, but we do get to choose our response. Julie Emert Yawitz is one of those people, who while she didn’t get to choose her situation in life, she sure chose her response and WOW, in what a way.
What to expect from the inaugural TENTalks event
With limited seating and tickets priced at $18 (with an early bird discount available), “TENTalks” promises to be an evening of profound insight, offering attendees the chance to connect with their community, their heritage and perhaps even themselves.
For more information and tickets, visit JewishChesterfield.com/tentalks.
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