The J is open to all. Get involved. Join us for a class. Exercise the mind or body. Enjoy a cultural event or holiday program. We have something for everyone here at the J.
Christmas Eve . . . . . Saturday, December 24 . . . 7am – 5pm
Christmas Day Sunday, December 25 8am – 5pm
New Year's Eve . . . . . Saturday, December 31 . . . 7am – 5pm
New Year’s Day Sunday, January 1, 2023 8am – 5pm
Memorial Day . . . . . Monday, May 29 . . . . . . 8am – 5pm
All other holidays, the J will be open standard hours.
Limited need-based
The J is committed to making our programming and services as inclusive and accessible as possible to all, including those with differing abilities. Life Enrichment strives to provide necessary accommodations and supports when possible to enable individuals to successfully participate in our various program offerings at the J. Contact Erik Carlson at 314.442.3295 or ecarlson@jccstl.org for more information.
Directed by Alan Knoll
January 19 – February 5
Part three of Neil Simon’s acclaimed autobiographical trilogy finds Eugene and his older brother Stanley trying to break into the world of show business as professional comedy writers while coping with their parents break-up and eventual divorce. When their material is broadcast on the radio for the first time, the family is upset to hear a thinlyveiled portrait of themselves played for laughs.
by Duncan MacMillian with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Ellie Schwetye
March 16 – April 2
We have all been in a difficult place. We all long for happiness. This play compels us to fight our challenging time with the practice of gratitude. Make a list of all that is brilliant. All of it. This play celebrates the challenging times and the power we must have to survive them. A life-affirming play.
by Emily Mann
Directed
by Sharon HunterJune 1- June 18
Decades after Gloria Steinem began raising her voice for equality and championing the voices of others, her vision is as urgent as ever. In this exploration of the iconic feminist’s legacy, the first act tells her story, and the second invites the audience to share their own. Gloria: A Life embodies Steinem’s philosophy that conversation is a catalyst for change as it celebrates one of the most inspiring women of our time.
English Director: Daniel Raim
Documentary: 88 minutes
50 years and going strong… Follow director Norman Jewison in his quest to re-create the lost world of Jewish life in tsarist Russia and reimagine the beloved stage musical Fiddler on the Roof as a widescreen film epic. This documentary features behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen stills as well as original interviews with Jewison, Topol, composer John Williams, film critic Kenneth Turan and actresses Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh, and Neva Small (Tevye’s daughters) and original interviews with the Fiddler on the Roof cast and crew.
French with English subtitles
Director: Fred Cavayé
Feature: 115 minutes
Wartime sadism engulfs daily domestic life… Paris 1942. François Mercier is an ordinary man who only aspires to start a family with his wife, Blanche. He is also the employee of a talented Jewish jeweler, Mr. Haffmann. Faced with impending doom, Mr. Haffmann signs his store over to his ambitious employee. When the Germans occupy the city, Mr. Haffmann and his family plan to evacuate, but he is unable to get out in time.
Portuguese with English subtitles
Director: Luis Ismael
Feature: 86 minutes
Stirring performances, stunning costume and set design, a sumptuous score… The inquisition comes to Portugal, uniting the community in the face of persecution. Barred from practicing their faith, 15th century Iberian Jews were forcibly baptized as New Christians. The city’s citizens still managed to thrive… until a royally-appointed visitador arrives to probe rumors of conversos still observing Judaism in secret. Based on actual events, the aftermath of which reverberates today.
Hebrew with English subtitles
Director: Moshe Rosenthal
Feature: 103 minutes
An optimistic portrait of midlife self-discovery… Meir and Tova are a Sephardic, upper-middle-class couple, seemingly resigned to live out the rest of their semiretirement in the banal comforts of an upscale apartment complex in a Tel Aviv suburb. When Itsik, a sexy bachelor from Miami, moves into the building’s penthouse, their lives are gleefully upended. Energized by their newfound friendship, Meir and Tova undergo personal transformations, but will their relationship as a couple be a casualty of expressing their individual desires?
German with English subtitles
Director: Thomas Roth
Feature: 110 minutes
Law, justice, revenge… The young Jewish Austrian businessman, Victor, is a witness to how the prosecution of a Nazi crime perpetrated against his family unjustly fails in the courtroom. The political and legal system in 1960s Austria is still run by former Nazis and there is no avenue for Victor to change matters. When Victor also loses his grief-stricken father and his girlfriend’s family opposes their relationship and his being Jewish, Victor completely loses faith in the system and pursues matters via a different path.
Nishmah inspires, engages and supports Jewish women through educational, spiritual and social programming. Through a collaborative model, Nishmah strengthens the St. Louis Jewish Community. Programs include the Ilene Joseph Salon Series, Torah Study and programs geared toward Nerot (Nishmah’s 20s and 30s group) and collaborative programs with community partners. In addition, Nishmah hosts an annual event, either the Women’s Retreat or The Journey: A Pre-Passover Women’s Seder. Contact: Vickie Shuchart, 314.442.3111, vshuchart@jccstl.org
Nishmah’s Salons are intimate, thought-provoking, facilitated discussions on topics of interest to all who identify as Jewish women. This program is named for Ilene Joseph z”l, one of Nishmah’s founders and a passionate supporter of the Salon Series. Discussions are free to attend, donations to Nishmah welcome. Save the Date for our next session: Wed 1/8 Full Salon details available at nishmah.org
Save the date for Nishmah’s signature biannual event!
SFC Wed 3/29 7pm
Looking to recharge your soul? Join Nishmah and Momentum for a year-long journey to becoming your best self, complete with a 10-day trip to Israel, July 3-11. More information at nishmah.org
Sharsheret Supports STL is a program of Nishmah at the J and a community partner of the National Sharsheret organization. Sharsheret, Hebrew for “chain,” meaningful connections by supporting women and their families facing a diagnosis of breast or ovarian cancer and critical education for men and women in the Jewish community regarding their increased hereditary risks. With our free educational programming and individualized and confidential resources, nobody has to face a diagnosis alone. Sharsheret recognizes and embraces the full spectrum of diversity within our community. All Sharsheret Supports STL programs are open to the public.
Contact: Debbi Braunstein, 314.442.3266, dbraunstein@jccstl.org
This monthly group provides support, connection and education to women in the St. Louis community who are newly diagnosed, in active treatment, maintenance or post-treatment. Facilitated by Kathy Bearman, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Newcomers are always welcome.
Currently Virtual Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month 6:15pm – 7:30pm FREE but RSVP requested
This yoga methodology teaches interventions to help cancer patients and survivors manage the symptoms and side effects of their treatment and improve overall health outcomes. An excellent way to relax and distract from the stresses of cancer while taking an active role in your recovery. Benefits can include reduced anxiety and stress, decreased chemotherapy-related fatigue, improved sleep, boost to immune system and a reduction in pain. Classes are gentle and restorative and adapt to individual needs. Taught by a Yoga4Cancer (LLC) Trained Teacher.
SFC Thu 4-5:15pm Virtual Fri 11:30am-12:45pm Open to members and the public
Contact: Hannah Dinkel, 314.442.3294, hdinkel@jccstl.org
With 15 years’ immersion in the topic of implicit bias, Jessica Nordell digs deep into the cognitive science, social psychology and developmental research that underpin current efforts to eradicate unintentional bias and discrimination. She explores what works and why: the diagnostic checklist used by doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital that eliminated disparate treatment of people in disease prevention; the preschool in Sweden where teachers found ingenious ways to uproot gender stereotyping: the police unit in Oregon where the practice of mindfulness and specialized training has coincided with a startling drop in the use of force. Co-sponsored by JCRC.
SFC Tue 1/17 7pm Free
Based on thousands of never-before-seen documents not only from the Vatican, but from archives in Italy, Germany, France, Britain and the United States, The Pope at War paints a new, dramatic portrait of what the pope did and did not do as war enveloped the continent and as the Nazis began their systematic mass murder of Europe’s Jews. The book clears away the myths and sheer falsehoods surrounding the pope’s actions from 1939 to 1945, showing why the pope repeatedly bent to the wills of Hitler and Mussolini. Co-sponsored by JCRC.
Washington University in St. Louis
Mon 3/27 7pm
Free
Contact: Snir Dagan, 314.442.3137, sdagan@jccstl.org
Join Snir for a fun hike followed by a picnic in celebration of the Passover holiday. Learn about Israeli Passover traditions.
Lone Elk Park (1 Lone Elk Park Rd, 63088)
Sun 4/9 12pm
Free, please bring your own picnic lunch
16 years old and older Lochamim is an Israeli docuseries directed by Tomer Levine. It follows the lives of four Givati combat soldiers from their date of draft to completion of their army service. Join Snir each week as we break down the newest episode and as he reflects on his own combat experience in the Israeli army.
Episode links available at jccstl.com/lochamim
Tue 2/7-28 6pm
FREE but RSVP requested
Rock all afternoon with the founder of Jewish Rock Radio. Co-sponsored by PJ Library.
Contact: Avital Kadosh, 314.442.3172, akadosh@jccstl.org
SFC Sun 1/15 3:30pm
Free, donations welcome
Preschool children and their Guardians
Join our preschool age kids and families for some musical fun with local and national talent from Song Leader Boot Camp (SLBC).
Contact: Avital Kadosh, 314.442.3172, akadosh@jccstl.org
Fox Sun 2/19 9am Free
Join us for an afternoon of creative culinary Hamentashen making. Make your own pizza Hamentashen or classic flavors. Sweet or savory, make your choice!
Contact: Avital Kadosh, 314.442.3172, akadosh@jccstl.org
SFC Sun 2/26 2-4pm Free
Kids 6 years and older and their Guardians
Pick your own painting project (Seder plate, Miriam’s cup, saltwater dishes, etc.) and pick up your finished items in time for Passover (Begins April 5 at sundown).
Contact: Emilie Brockman, 314.442.3267, ebrockman@jccstl.org
Pottery Hallow (116 N. Kirkwood Rd., 63122)
Mon 3/27 7pm
Priced per project: $27/seder plate, $25 kiddish cup, $9/salt water petite bowl
A fun, interactive and musical Passover seder dinner experience led by The J’s Rabbi Brad Horwitz and a special song leader. Let us do the cooking and cleaning while your family enjoys music, food, activities and more. Contact Rabbi Brad Horwitz, 314.442.3271, bhorwitz@jccstl.org
SFC Thu 4/6 6pm
$36 per adult
$18 per child (13 years and younger)
Celebrate with the St. Louis Jewish community Israel’s 75th Anniversary in grand style. Program includes one-of-a-kind community art project, children’s activities, Israeli dancing, food for purchase and a professional fireworks show. Contact: Rabbi Brad Horwitz 314-442-3271 bhorwitz@jccstl.org
SFC Sun 4/23 5:30pm celebration, 8:30pm fireworks Free
Join Rabbi Abraham and the Family Center at the J for some dairy delights as we prepare for Shavuot. We will learn more about the holiday, the traditions around it and make some ice cream from scratch in honor of dairy on this holiday!
Contact: Emilie Brockman, 314.442.3267, ebrockman@jccstl.org
SFC
Mon 5/22 5:30pm
Free
Join the J and Kol Rinah for a Lag B’Omer celebration with fire, s’mores, grilling and more! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun in the sun and celebrating this minor, but thrilling, holiday!
Contact: Rabbi Brad Horwitz, 314.442.3271, bhorwitz@jccstl.org
Shaw Park (27 S Brentwood Blvd, 63105)
Tue 5/9 5pm
Free
JNext is a new initiative of the J that focuses on adults who are recent empty nesters. We are looking to be here for you in this next stage of life. Are you looking to fill the time that used to be in the carpool line or driving to and from after school sports? Are you interested in joining us in the planning of events? Visit jccstl.com/jnext
Contact: Avital Kadosh, 314.442.3172, akadosh@jccstl.org
Join Chef Jon Hoffman to make his famous knishes! He will teach you how to make them and you can take the recipe with you to add to your repertoire of Jewish foods.
Contact: Avital Kadosh, 314.442.3172, akadosh@jccstl.org SFC Thu 3/16 6pm $6
The J joins a national program of hands on Tzedekah and Mitzvah tracking. As a reframing of the traditional tzedakah box, use a Tzedek Box throughout the year to deposit slips of paper on which you’ve written the latest act of justice you have completed (“I called my senator,” “I attended this protest,” “I hosted a screening of the documentary 13th to raise awareness”), as well as your observations and feelings. Each May, we open the boxes together -- and reflect on the work that we did all year long to improve our society through our advocacy and activism. This gathering will involve participants creating their boxes -- either digitally or physically. Participants will then commit to using their boxes all year long.
Contact: Avital Kadosh, 314.442.3172, akadosh@jccstl.org
A digital version of the Tzedek Box is available. Here’s how it works:
1. Download the free Tzedek Box app in the Apple Store or Google Play and join the STL Tribe.
2. Each time you do something to improve our world, input it into the app.
3. Each year on Yom HaTzedek, open the box and take account of your year, the work you’ve done and the work ahead.
Teens
SLBC is an intensive leadership training program for rabbis, cantors, educators and all others interested in offering a profound exploration of the physiology, psychology, strategy and execution behind inspirational Jewish teaching and song leading. SLBC participants experience a powerful three-day immersion program. For more information: songleaderbootcamp.com or call 314.991.0909. SFC Sun-Tue 2/19-2/21 8am-9pm $395 for St. Louis participants
