Jewish Light Digital Edition: May 1, 2024

Note to readers: The next printed edition of the Jewish Light will be May 22 — three weeks after this one. In the meantime, please keep up to date on St. Louis Jewish news by visiting us online at stljewishlight.org

Jewish Student Union plans for the future with building in U.City

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

A new permanent home for JSU (Jewish Student Union) St. Louis is rapidly taking shape in University City. Last October, renovation began on the two-story house at 8037 Delmar Blvd. Completion is expected in August when the new Staenberg Building will open. It will provide office space for JSU, a drop-in center for teens, classrooms, a homework clinic, meeting rooms, game room and a kosher kitchen.

The house was built in 1937. Before renovation began, it had 2,146 square feet of living space. In addition to the original structure, a 1,500 square foot great room is under construction at the rear of the building. Upon completion, the house will be transformed into a modern, fully functional center of Jewish life for St. Louis teenagers.

The total cost of the building and construction is estimated at $1.75 million. Major donors to the effort include philanthropist Michael Staenberg, Dr. Irving and

See JSU on page 7

Here’s your chance to nominate an ‘Unsung Hero’ in the community

The Jewish Light is requesting nominations for its 15th annual Unsung Heroes awards. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, July 12 and can be made online at stljewishlight.org/heroes.

The Light solicits nominations of volunteers making a major impact through their work without seeking substantial public recognition for their efforts. These people tend to fly under the radar. Honorees can be individuals or groups who are either Jewish or non-Jewish making a difference within the St. Louis Jewish community and/or Jewish individuals or groups in St. Louis making a difference in the community-at-large.

The 2024 class of Unsung Heroes will be honored with a special event on Nov. 20 and in the Light ’s Unsung Heroes magazine, which publishes on Nov. 20 as well.

To view the names of past Unsung Heroes, visit stljewishlight. org/unsung-list

TOP: Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, director of Jewish Student Union, stands at the site of the new JSU building on Delmar Boulevard in University City. ABOVE: A sign at the construction site offers a look at JSU’s future Staenberg Building, which is planned to be completed in August.

PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

The cover of the 2023 Unsung Heroes magazine. Nominations are now open for the 2024 Unsung Heroes.

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The Jewish Light will publish print editions twice a month in 2024, on the following dates:

OUR BOARD AND STAFF

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS

Michael Staenberg, President

Bethe Growe, Immediate Past President

Kara Newmark, Vice President

Ryan Rich, Vice President

Justin Krachmalnick, Treasurer

Todd Taylor, Secretary

DIRECTORS

Caroline Goldenberg, Mia Kweskin, Debbie Lefton, Steve Rosenzweig and Adam Schneider

JEWISH LIGHT PAST PRESIDENTS

Shabbat begins Friday, May 3: 7:38 p.m.

Shabbat ends Saturday, May 4: 8:40 p.m.

Torah reading: Acharei Mot

Shabbat begins Friday, May 10: 7:44 p.m.

Shabbat ends Saturday, May 11: 8:48 p.m.

Torah reading: Kedoshim

Bernard Fischlowitz*, Milton I. Goldstein*, Morris Pearlmutter* (founder), Morris Moscowitz*, Melvin Newmark*, Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin*, Vivian Zwick*, Joseph Edlin*, Michael Newmark, Richard Stein, Yusef Hakimian*, Sanford Weiss*, Philip Isserman*, Linda Kraus, Richard Flom, Marvin Schneider, Barbara Langsam Shuman, Terry Bloomberg, John Greenberg, David Grebler*, Milton Movitz*, Gianna Jacobson, Jenny Wolkowitz, Gary Kodner, Jane Tzinberg Rubin, Steve Gallant, Laura K. Silver, Bethe Growe

* Of Blessed Memory

STAFF

EXECUTIVE

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief

Stacy Wolff Smart, Chief of Revenue

Growth and Community Engagement

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content

Officer

EDITORIAL

Robert A. Cohn, Editor-in-Chief

Emeritus

Mike Sherwin, Managing Editor

SALES

Angie Rosenberg, Senior Account Executive

Kelly Morris, Account Executive

Elaine Wernick, Account Executive

BUSINESS & ENGAGEMENT

Terri Green, Administrative Assistant

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bill Motchan, Amy Fenster Brown, Patricia Corrigan, Barry Gilbert, Margi Lenga Kahn, Nancy Kranzberg, Elise Krug, Cate Marquis, Eric Mink, Shula Neuman, Judith Newmark, Martin Rochester, Megan Rubenstein

The Jewish Light is a community partner of Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

is a

The ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT (ISSN 0036-2964) is published bimonthly by the St. Louis Jewish Light, Inc., a notfor-profit corporation, 7201 Delmar Blvd. Suite 201, St. Louis, MO 63130. Periodical postage paid at St. Louis, MO. Copyright 2024. Postmaster: Send address changes to the St. Louis Jewish Light: 7201 Delmar Blvd. #201, St. Louis, MO 63130.

The Jewish Light

member of the American Jewish Press Association

After years and years of writing Mother’s Day stories in appreciation of all-things-mom, I was fresh out of ideas. That’s when it dawned on me. Call Mindy. mindyKNOWS.

Mindy is Mindy Horwitz, 53, who in addition to having raised three sons, now serves as a surrogate mother of sorts to roughly 130 Washington University students through a college concierge business she began in 2019 called mindyKNOWS. In short, she does for the students what their parents cannot because they live out of town. These tasks can include everything from providing doctor referrals, to picking up their prescriptions, to decorating dorm rooms, to packing up dorm rooms, to bringing them chicken soup when they’re sick, to cheering them up with a bouquet of balloons and chocolate cupcakes on their birthday or at the end of a particularly hard day.

“I know the peace of mind what I do gives to parents,” said Mindy, who trained as a social worker and is married to Rabbi Brad Horwitz, chief Jewish engagement officer at the Jewish Community Center.

She said she got the idea for her business when her eldest son’s roommate, who was from New Jersey, hurt his knee during their freshman year at WashU.

“I found out after the fact that he had been hurt,” said Mindy. “I said to the roommate’s mom, ‘Why didn’t you call me, I would have brought him what he needed.’ And she said, and I remember this vividly, ‘I didn’t want to put you out.’ And that was like a light bulb for me because I realized sometimes you don’t want to ask a favor. You just want the job to get done.”

Mindy and her team — CFO Karen Smoller, Head of Strategy Leslie Zacks

and Supermom (and Mindy’s backup) Susie Rubin — certainly get the job done and then some. Mindy likens her pricing structure to that of Costco’s, where a family buys a membership, ranging from $49 per month to $450 for the school year to $1,600 for all four years. Membership gets them a direct phone line to Mindy for her expertise, counsel and knowledge of St. Louis, should they need referrals, advice and/or recommendations. She charges between $60 and $75 an hour for deliveries and errand running, though given her thoughtful nature, she throws in a couple of free hours for new members.

Recently, I hung out with her to observe the master mom in action. The Friday morning before Passover we loaded up the Mindy Mobile — a 2022 white Tesla Model Y — and drove to University City to drop off supplies to Jessi Jacobs, a WashU senior who has been a client since her freshman year and was celebrating her 22nd birthday with a party at her apartment the following day. As requested by Jessi’s mother, Mindy was bringing all the fixings for a Bloody Mary bar and mimosas, including several bottles of champagne, vodka, fruit juices, paper goods, coolers for ice and lots of bottles of water for hydration. The next day she would arrive with bags of ice, birthday cake, flowers and whatever else Jessi’s mom had ordered. Eventually, Mindy would make a third trip to pick up the coolers, since they did, after all, belong to her.

As we neared the apartment, Mindy phoned

NEWS & SCHMOOZE

News and Schmooze is a column by Jewish Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman. Email Ellen at: efutterman@stljewishlight.org.

Jessi to let her know we were almost there. She and a roommate met us at the front door, and together the four of us schlepped the supplies to the girls’ third-floor walk-up. I quickly learned that it isn’t a proper visit from Mindy without an exchange of pleasantries and hugs — for Jessi, for her roommate, for whomever is around when receiving a Mindy delivery. Even I got caught up in the hug-fest. After a brief stop home for Mindy to knead and braid her homemade dough into three challahs for Shabbat dinner, we were back at it, with a stop at Julia Zarkower’s apartment, also in U. City, to drop off medication and some Passover goodies. Then it was onto Jonah

Mindy Horwitz (right) and Julia Zarkower.

Dynamic duo chairing Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign hope to raise $9 million-plus

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

If anyone, or in this case, any two, are up to the challenge of asking members of the St. Louis Jewish community to donate to Jewish Federation’s Annual Campaign, it’s Galia Movitz and Janie Roodman Weiss, who are this year’s co-chairs. Together they make a formidable fundraising team; neither likes taking “no” for an answer.

“I’ve never been so excited about an ask for community work like I am this one,” said Movitz. “What triggered me, honestly, was the Israel Emergency Campaign. I realized I’ve never seen our community as united as they were for the Israel Emergency Campaign, which told me there is room for supporting Federation’s campaign because the work they do is so vital, especially with what is going on in today’s world.”

According to Federation, the St. Louis Jewish community raised over $4.3 million for the organization’s Israel Emergency Campaign after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, and over $7.3 million across Federations’ individual, family and corporate giving. That was on top of the $8.76 million that Federation’s Annual Campaign garnered in 2023 — up from

$8.5 million in 2022.

Over the course of the year, Movitz and Roodman Weiss are hoping to raise more than $9 million to help the 85 or so Jewish agencies across St. Louis, Israel and around the world that Jewish Federation of St. Louis works to support and enhance. These include local Jewish agencies that strive to better early childhood education, champion mental health initiatives, combat antisemitism, end food insecurity, assist older adults and much more.

“During COVID, the campaign slid backwards. And unfortunately, when that happened, the needs in our community weren’t being met fully,” said Roodman Weiss. “And so, for Galia and me, the challenge is that we want to bring it back and beyond, so that we are sure those needs in our community will be met because we don’t want to see any agencies suffer or any people struggle.”

In addition, the pair hopes to increase the number of donors who give to the campaign, which was roughly 3,000 in 2023.

In an effort to accomplish all of this, Movitz and Roodman Weiss have come up with several strategies, including building a “cabinet” of key volunteers who can mobilize different groups of potential donors and inspire them to give generous-

ly. They also plan to bolster this cabinet by meeting in small groups with other volunteers who will help in soliciting. And instead of being called “development volunteers,” as they have been referred to in the past, Movitz and Roodman Weiss have renamed them “mitzvah makers” because “they are the ones making the mitzvahs,” said Movitz, adding that at every meeting there are candy M&Ms on the table.

“We felt like we wanted to make it more fun as well as more meaningful,” said Roodman Weiss. “Doing a mitzvah yourself is good but helping someone else, giving them the opportunity to do a mitzvah, is a greater deed.”

She and Movitz also want to bring more people into the Federation building, for speakers and social events, in an effort to create more of a hub for Jewish life and camaraderie among the Jewish community. They also want to appeal to donors who used to give to the Annual Campaign but haven’t done so in the past few years, to understand the reasons why not.

“Those reasons are legit. We need to understand them. We don’t want to call people only to collect money,” said Movitz. “We also want to call to say ‘thank you’ for what they have done for our community. We want everyone to feel appreciated.”

As to why the two volunteered to

co-chair the Annual Campaign, Movitz repeats what Toby Warticovschi, vice chair of development for Federation’s board of directors, has said in the past: “If we don’t take care of our Jewish community, no one else will.”

That sentiment resonates deeply with Movitz and Roodman Weiss, who have worked together in the past, co-chairing Women’s Philanthropy events for Federation as well as the Jewish Light’s Unsung Heroes awards and several other Jewish community causes. They fed off each other’s energy and spirit as they discussed their plans and strategies for the year-long campaign, including educating community members about what Federation does and its importance.

“If Federation wasn’t here to convene the community and to raise dollars, a lot of the services they provide would not be here,” said Roodman Weiss. “Supporting Federation and all they do isn’t a choice, it’s a must. Charity is different than tzedakah. It is our obligation to help our community and make sure it thrives and to make sure people in our community have their needs met.”

Larry Gast, vice president of development at Federation, feels confident that with Movitz and Roodman Weiss at the helm, the Annual Campaign is in great hands.

“They’ve both exhibited, individually and collectively, a commitment to our Jewish community through their involvement and leadership roles with so many different organizations, including Federation,” said Gast. “Both of them are passionate about what Federation does, the many people and agencies it helps. Between their passion, motivation and drive, and the fact that our Jewish community is so generous and committed, I think we have a great shot at securing our goals.”

Galia Movitz (left) and Janie Roodman Weiss are the co-chairs of Jewish Federation’s 2024 Annual Campaign Co-Chairs. PHOTO: SUZY GORMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

‘Greetings from Mirowitz’ gala set for May 8

It’s “A Mirowitz Homecoming,” and supporters of Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School are gathering for a gala pep rally to cheer on the school’s winning team of teachers, students and alumni. Festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8 at the Ritz Carlton - St. Louis.

The event will honor visionaries whose passions shape our community: Drs. Diane and David Rosen, recipients of the Community Service Award; and Jennifer Baer and PJ Library-St. Louis, recipient of the Community Partner Award. “Each of our honorees and PJ Library, individually and collectively, has set an example of communal responsibility and leadership,” says Sara Lander, president of the board. “It is our hope that Mirowitz students will grow up to be like them.”

As director of PJ Library-St. Louis, Baer formed a partnership with Mirowitz that, over the years, has attracted more than a thousand families to meaningful programs and has elevated the reputation of both organizations locally and nationally. Baer’s two children, Moriah and Micah, are proud alumni of Mirowitz.

Dr. Diane Rosen did not expect to be tapped for her medical expertise when she agreed to be Mirowitz’s board president in 2019. And her husband, Dr. David Rosen, did not specialize in pediatric infectious diseases so he could guide his children’s school through a world-wide pandemic. But the world had other plans for both of them. During the summer of 2020, the couple found themselves immersed in dayto-day operational decisions, pandemic policies, mitigation strategies, and weekly communications to Mirowitz families.

Diane Rosen also led the school during a head of school transition and accepted a bonus year as president to ensure a smooth start for our new Head of School Raquel Scharf-Anderson. The Rosens are proud parents of Mirowitz students, Marni, 8th grade, and Josh, 6th grade.

The gala also will honor teachers and staff who are celebrating 5, 10, 15 and 20 years at Mirowitz including 20-year employee Rachel Persellin-Armoza, 15-year employees Sue Lapp, Shannon Rohlman and Val Toskin, and 10-year-employees Laura Johnson, Rabbi Scott Slarskey and Mary Wagoner; and 5-year-employee Sallie Glaser.

The gala is underwritten with generous support from sponsors including The Staenberg Family Foundation, The Chod Family Foundation, Nancy Chod, The Gladys K. Crown Foundation - Nancy and Randy Green, Jack and Ellen Deutsch, Jackie Levin and Michael Rubin, Marilyn and Marty Levison and Barbara Mirowitz.

The event co-chairs are Lauren Abraham and Sue Lapp.

Visit www.mirowitz.org/gala or call Andrea Newstead, 314-576-6177 for more information or to purchase tickets. Tickets are $180 per person; tickets also come with sponsorship levels of $1,800 and up.

Jewish Federation announces ‘2024 Evening of Impact Award’ recipients

JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER

Jewish Federation of St. Louis has announced the award winners to be honored at the 2024 Evening of Impact to be held Thursday, May 9.

Dafna Revah and MaryAnn Smyly Sabin have been chosen as the recipients of the 2024 David N. and Roselin Grosberg Young Leadership Award and Andrew Goldfeder as the recipient of the Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award.

Revah is currently a board member of the Jewish Federation and is on the Women’s Philanthropy CommUNITY Event Committee, as well as the Lion/ POM Committee. She joined the Jewish Federation Board in 2019 and has served as co-chair for our Major Donor Event.

Revah moved to St. Louis in 2014 after

completing a bachelor’s degree in human rights from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in modern Jewish studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She worked as a grant writer and interim Young Professionals Society associate for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis until 2015. In the same year, she

joined the St. Louis Business Journal as audience development director, a role that involved planning and leading events for their Women’s Society and small groups. Today, Revah is the vice president of CBD Kratom, the largest privately owned cannabis and kratom dispensary retail chain in the United States. Sabin will be a co-chair for the next Women’s Philanthropy trip to Israel and was most recently the chair for the Women’s Philanthropy CommUNITY event held on April 7.

Sabin’s involvement with Federation started with YPD and she has since co-chaired one of the most successful L’Chaim events, which raised more than $500,000 for the Annual Campaign. Additionally, she has served on the

AFTER 76 YEARS, WE’RE STILL FIGHTING FOR A JEWISH STATE.

In 1948, as Israel fought for its independence, the medics of Magen David Adom were there, treating wounded soldiers and civilians alike. Today, as Israel celebrates Yom HaAtzma’ut, MDA is still treating the injured — even under fire. But for MDA to continue being there for Israel, we need to be there for MDA.

Make a donation at afmda.org/give.

From left: Dafna Revah, MaryAnn Smyly Sabin and Andrew Goldfeder.

From left: Drs. David and Diane Rosen and Jennifer Baer.

‘THE PASSOVER PROJECT’ DEBUTS AT CITY WINERY

The Jewish Light’s first-ever “The Passover Project: A Musical Seder” was a sold out masterpiece of creativity. With more than 200 tickets sold, the audience packed the City Winery St. Louis at the City Foundry in Midtown on April 18 for a night of music, featuring an interactive, alternative seder like St. Louis had never seen before.

David Lazaroff — one of the front men of the band Brothers Lazaroff, along with his brother Jeff — and Rabbi James Stone Goodman, along with Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman, produced the show, which featured a who’s who of St. Louis-based artists including — Grammy-award winning jazz pianist Peter Martin; Robert Koritz, drummer for the acclaimed band Dark Star Orchestra; songstress Anita Jackson; guitarist singer-songwriter Joey Ferber; mandolin player extraordinaire David Goldenberg; Michael Tzinberg, who plays fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin; and Rebekah Scallet, artistic director of the New Jewish Theatre. For more photos of the event, visit stljewishlight.org.

— Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer

Brothers Lazaroff, Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Anita Jackson and other musicians perform at The Passover Project, held April 18 at City Winery St. Louis. ALL PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

Above, from left: Rebekah Scallet, Dave Cooperstein and Kathleen Sitzer lead a reading at the musical seder. At left, guests included Stephanie Gross, Etai Goldenberg and Caroline Goldenberg. Below, participants take part in the seder.

SCHMOOZE

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Kaufman’s place in Skinker-DeBaliviere for another Passover drop off, and of course, more hugs.

Julia is a relatively new client. She explained that after she went to the emergency room twice this spring and was having trouble getting the medication she needed, her mother reached out to Mindy.

“She knew of her services from a WashU parent’s page,” said Julia, a junior from Rye Brook, N.Y. “Mindy just jumped in right away and got me my prescriptions. She’s helped me get groceries when I was sick, and she dropped off all this Passover stuff.

“I just love her. It’s like having my own Jewish mother in St. Louis. She is the absolute best.”

Julia’s real-life mother, Sheri Zarkower, completely agrees.

“It was after Julia’s second trip to the ER when it became so stressful,” said Sheri. “I knew I wasn’t there, and I knew she would need assistance with getting medication and groceries and also having time to catch up on her schoolwork.

“Mindy has been terrific with all of her help. Had we been with her prior to when Julia went to the ER, Mindy could have potentially advocated for her (Julia). I certainly recommend Mindy before you are in a crisis.”

JSU

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Melody Boime and the Martin Silk Foundation. Key partners on the project include the commercial real estate firm Avison Young, Michell Wall Architecture & Design and Pernikoff Construction. Those donors and renovation partners were essential in bringing the concept to reality, according to Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, JSU director.

“Thank G-d we have Michael Staenberg and our other donors,” Rovinsky said. “Pernikoff Construction has been very generous in their fees and the things they’re not charging for. They’re very invested in the organization. I’m beyond excited. This facility will be one of my biggest accomplishments.”

Another important partner in the project is Young Israel, which previously owned the house, and at one time considered the location for its own expansion. JSU’s goal, Rovinsky said, is provide a space where Jewish teens will want to spent time. The location is ideal because it’s within walking distance of several shuls.

“People in the community are already calling because they want to host their simchas here, b’nai mitzvot and other events,” he said. “We’re designing the kitchen to be able to cook Shabbat meals. We’re also looking to partner with somebody to offer the community a kosher restaurant one night a week. One week might be Mexican, one week Chinese, one week hot dogs, hamburgers, or Italian.”

JSU St. Louis, which was created in 2003 for local Jewish high school students to engage and take pride in their Judaism, first met at Epstein Hebrew Academy when the school was located on Warson Road in Olivette. Since then, the group has met in member’s homes. JSU works with teens to build their Jewish identities and increase their Jewish engagement. It is one of 320 JSU clubs in 26 states.

Part of what makes mindyKNOWS attractive to college students and their parents is Mindy herself. She’s equal parts kind, capable and nurturing, and rarely seems to get rattled despite all the running around she does in a day.

Those qualities are what she and her team look for in “other Mindys” as her business expands. MindyKNOWS, which has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and on Fox News and NBC, has outposts at Northwestern, Skidmore and Hartford, and expects to be at a total of 11 college campuses this fall, including Iowa, USC and University of Wisconsin.

As for Mindy’s own family, I wondered what her sons thought about sharing their mother with so many others. So I turned to her eldest, Josh, 23, who runs a youth basketball program in New York City and happened to be home for the weekend. Here’s what he had to say:

“She started the business when I was a sophomore in college, and honestly when she started it, I was like, this is kind of

annoying because I was at WashU and didn’t really want her on campus.

“But my mom is not like your average business owner. Not to be mean or anything, but she’s not the most business savvy person. She is a mom and I think it’s perfect because she is so passionate about what she is doing and so authentic. She is doing an incredible job.”

Mindy is the first to say that her services are not for everyone. She just knows from sending two of her three sons to college faraway that having a mom looking out for them brings a parent comfort. Just like her fresh-baked homemade challah brought me when she insisted that I take one of the loaves home for my family’s Shabbat dinner.

Happy Mother’s Day Mindy and to all you moms out there.

RIGHT: Mindy Horwitz visits Jonah Kaufman as part of her college concierge business, mindyKNOWS.

PHOTO: ELLEN FUTTERMAN

NEWSMAKERS

Newsmakers is a compilation of the Jewish community’s newsworthy professional and academic accomplishments. Submit your news to news@stljewishlight.org. Call 314-743-3669 for more information. Newsmakers is compiled by Elise Krug.

Shirel Richman will serve as the next cantor of United Hebrew Congregation. She is a fifth-year cantorial student at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) in New York and will be ordained this month. Cantor Ron Eichaker, who is retiring after 25 years, will be honored at celebration event in June.

The Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis will honor Marty Oberman with the 2024 Peggy Nelson Esperanza Award at their annual CSCSTL Steps for Hope walk on May 4 at Creve Coeur Park. He is being honored for his many years of leadership, dedication and fundraising efforts. Oberman is a vice president of investments at Premier Wealth Advisors of Raymond James and attends United Hebrew Congregation.

Jake Thomeczek received the John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL). He is an associate county counselor with the St. Charles County Government. Thomeczek will receive the award at the Law Day Luncheon on May 6 at the St. Louis Art Museum. It is given to a BAMSL lawyer who is 36 years of age or younger or licensed to practice for five years or less who exemplifies the BAMSL Tenets of Professionalism in the tradition of John C. Shepherd.

Dr. Phillip Korenblat was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer Clinical Teacher Award by the American College of Physicians (ACP), a national organization of internal medicine physicians.

The award is bestowed upon an ACP member, fellow, or recipient of a mastership at the American College of Physicians who has consistently volunteered their services to instruct medical students, residents, or other trainees outside of their academic responsibilities.

Korenblat, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona, is a retired clinician, investigator and educator, who had his own practice in St. Louis. He founded the Clinical Research Center and the first Asthma Center in St. Louis and served as an ambulatory and inpatient mentor during his 50-year career.

Denise Lieberman, a civil rights lawyer, received the Access MO Champion for Reproductive Justice Award last month. She is the attorney in the lawsuit by faith leaders challenging Missouri’s abortion ban as a violation of the separation of church and state, and teaches courses on reproductive justice at Washington University. Lieberman is the director and general counsel at Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and attends Central Reform Congregation.

Zoey Fleisher is the new Family Center coordinator at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center. In this role, they will provide programs and outreach to meet the needs of Jewish families with children ages 0-5.

Dr. Ken Ludmerer, Mabel Dorn Reeder Distinguished Professor in the History of

Medicine and professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine, was elected to the national board of directors of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honorary society.

In the recent election, Drew Newman was voted in as a city council member of Creve Coeur Ward 3. He is a program manager at Integrity.

Siblings Jeff, Cindy and Brad Lefton have taken ownership of Psychological Associates, a company co-founded by their late father Dr. Robert Lefton in 1958.

Jessica Lefton, granddaughter of Robert Lefton moved into the marketing communications director role. Psychological Associates partners with organizations to achieve targeted growth and collaboration through customized solutions designed to

best fit strategy goals.

David Dresner, owner of Crispy Edge, sold the wholesale portion of his business to LuLu Restaurant Group. The gourmet potstickers are in more than 400 grocery stores across 30 states.

Patrick Thimangu passed his test for 7th degree black belt certification in Taekwondo. He is the first Kenyan-born Taekwondo master to achieve this designation. Thimangu is the owner and master instructor of Arch Taekwondo and is a member of CRC.

Laura Ellenhorn is the new chair at Gateway Arch Park Foundation’s board of trustees. She attends Congregation B’nai Amoona and is a principal and head of Community Impact at Edward Jones.

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Shirel Richman, Cantor Ron Eichaker, Marty Oberman, Jake Thomeczek, Dr. Phillip Korenblat and Denise Lieberman. SECOND ROW: Zoey Fleisher, Dr. Ken Ludmerer, Drew Newman, Jeff Lefton, Cindy Lefton and Brad Lefton. THIRD ROW: Jessica Lefton, David Dresner, Patrick Thimangu and Laura Ellenhorn.

OPINIONS

D’VAR TORAH: PARASHAT ACHAREI MOT

Viewpoints expressed in letters, commentaries, cartoons and other opinion pieces reflect those of the writer or artist, and not those of the Light. We welcome submissions of letters and commentaries to: news@stljewishlight.org ABOUT THE

‘Goat demon’ verse is one example of Torah’s intriguing, yet sometimes overlooked, passages

BY RABBI MARK L. SHOOK

RABBI EMERITUS, CONGREGATION TEMPLE ISRAEL

This week’s parasha is acharei mot, and is found in chapters 16-18 of LeviticusSefer Vayikra. Following upon the sudden death of Aaron’s two sons, a detailed account of the proper procedures for the purification of the Mishkan is given The wilderness sanctuary was to be a place of atonement

In the grand scheme of things, The Book of Leviticus was never placed high on the list of texts that Reform Jews loved to study. In the 19th century and early 20th century, efforts were made to put as much distance between the sacrificial cult of the ancient Temple and so-called “modern” Jewish sensibilities. If the text of Leviticus was read on Shabbat in Reform synagogues at

all, the passages chosen for bnai mitzvah during those weeks when Leviticus was read, were carefully redacted. No one needed to hear detailed accounts of sacrificial blood being dashed against the altar. Such readings interfered with the enjoyment of the Kiddush luncheon that followed. The custom of my own congregation was not unusual. The cycle of Torah readings was rearranged. Reading Leviticus was postponed to the middle of the summer, in exchange for Deuteronomy. That was a shame because there were intriguing passages that went unread, and as a result, unknown.

Consider this verse:

The Priest shall dash the blood against the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and send the fat up in smoke as a pleasing aroma to the Eternal; and no more may they offer sacrifices to the goat

demon to whom they prostitute themselves (Leviticus 17:6-7).

The clear meaning of the text is that, up to this point, Israelites were offering sacrifices to the goat demon, but now the practice is forbidden. Practices once deemed acceptable were no longer acceptable. Despite the professed loyalty of the Israelites to the God of Moses that rescued them from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites were still worshiping a demon. Extraordinary! But wait, there’s more! The goat demon was a god of the underworld, the abode of the dead. That is just the kind of thing that would have riveted the attention of a bar mitzvah student. The religion of Israel is evolving.

The more I take in the details of the text of the Torah, the more I am made aware of the rich layering of religious beliefs and practices, new layers on top of old, that

reside within. That we have survived and flourished for three millennia is a tribute to our willingness to adapt, even when we claim to have changed nothing. Our study of our tradition and texts today is the first step in adding the next layer. What will be set aside? What will be absorbed? Only the next millennium will tell.

Jews on campus must stand their ground

BY HOWARD TEICH JNS.ORG

On May 4, 1970, four students were shot and killed on the Kent State University campus. They were shot by National Guardsmen who were called in by President Richard Nixon at the request of the academic institution, which wanted to control protests on campus as the uproar over the Vietnam War escalated.

Kent State transformed my life. I went from being an apathetic spectator to an activist. As a third-year law student, I was asked to draft and present a strike plan to the entire student body and faculty at Boston University School of Law. Graduation was canceled that year and many of us got involved in politics and activism.

During the current campus unrest, we should look back as we look ahead. In what I believe is an orchestrated, well-funded international effort, anti-Israel protests have broken out on campuses across America. This has led to a campus atmosphere that is hostile to Jewish stu-

FEDERATION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Women’s Philanthropy Board, Women’s Philanthropy Community Service Committee, chaired Hanukkah Hugs, the Shower committee, the Pomegranate Appreciation event committee, Professional Society event committee and co-chaired the Jewish Federation’s One Night Four City Event. In addition to leadership roles in the Jewish community, MaryAnne has also held leadership roles with Ready Readers, St. Louis County

dents. It is challenging to all Jews, as the media has taken the side of the protesters and Jewish leaders have failed to meet the challenge.

The situation is a complex one for those of us who support Israel and also believe in the importance of the university as a place for open dialogue and education. After Kent State, Nixon established the Scranton Commission on Campus Unrest to issue guidelines for the future. What is taking place at Columbia and other campuses is not in accord with those guidelines. Clearly, corrective action is necessary.

Why, however, did Columbia’s rabbi tell Jewish students not to come to classes for their own safety? American Jews must learn from Israel to be warriors on the front line; not with weapons, but with knowledge and passion. Jewish students should remain on campus, not run from it. They should stand their ground, complete the school year with pride and dignity, and demand that their graduation ceremony proceed. This is a first test for the young generation of Jewish leaders. Many of them have studied at universities such as

SAVE and Stray Rescue, Old Bonhomme Elementary School and COCA. She also served as the Outreach Chair for Sababa, is an alum of the JWRP Mission to Israel and once again will travel to Israel with Federation on a special solidarity trip later this May.

Andrew Goldfeder is the recipient of the Fred A. Goldstein Professional Excellence Award. Since Sept. 2018, Andrew has served as the Executive Director of Temple Emanuel. Before joining Temple Emanuel, Andrew spent over nine years with the St. Louis Holocaust Museum & Learning Center (currently St. Louis Kaplan

Columbia and I have great confidence in them.

As we look to the future, we must ask more of our leaders. We require leadership that is more interested in advocating for the Jewish community than in political messaging. Jewish elected officials have choices to make. They must ask whether they will make defending their community a priority or bow to their party affiliation. It is their choice, but we should hold them accountable for that choice.

Above all, our message must be clear: Israel’s fight is not only in the Gaza Strip. It is a broader struggle for existence against Iran and its proxies across the Middle East. We need the American Jewish community and our students on campus to amplify this narrative, which strongly impacts U.S. policy towards Israel.

During Passover, we tell the story of our liberation from slavery as if it were happening today. Now, with the future of Israel and world Jewry at stake, the story teaches us that we must not hide, nor depend on government protection. We

Feldman Holocaust Museum), where he served as their Manager of Programs and Logistics. Andrew’s distinguished recognitions over the years include the J Associates Mitzvah Star Award and the JPro Emerging Leader Award. Andrew was also a volunteer for the St. Louis Senior Olympics for over a decade and was a volunteer adviser for the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. He is currently a Board member of Interfaith Partnership of Greater St. Louis, is a community volunteer for St. Louis NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) and enjoys donating his time at Green Trails

Howard Teich is a practicing attorney, has held multiple leadership positions in the Jewish community and is the author of HEAR OUR VOICE: One Israel: Standing Up for Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. His commentary was originally published by Jewish News Syndicate (JNS.org).

must turn to our God-given power to tell a new narrative of our time, not of victimhood but of pride and success with a glorious future ahead.

As it is written, upon our departure from Egypt, Moses said to the nation, “Al tira’u! Fear not, stand upright and see God’s salvation, which God will do for you today, for what you saw of Egypt today, you will not continue to see forever. God will do battle on your behalf, and you shall be at peace.”

Elementary School, where his children attend school.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ 2024 Evening of Impact will be Thursday, May 9 at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, 12 Millstone Campus Drive. The event is being held from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, and the program will begin at 6:00 pm. An Evening of Impact is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register at: jfedstl.org/events/an-evening-of-impact/. Dietary laws observed. For more information, contact Amanda Miller at 314-442-3884 or AMiller@ JFedSTL.org

Rabbi Mark L. Shook is Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Temple Israel and a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Jewish Light.

FEATURES

ARTS AND CULTURE FOOD HOLIDAYS LIFESTYLES

MELVIN A. NEWMARK FUND

Honoring the forgotten Jewish legacy at the 1904 World’s Fair as new exhibit opens

JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER

Nearly 120 years after the 1904 World’s Fair opened, a new exhibit commemorating this cornerstone event in St. Louis history was unveiled on April 27 at the Missouri History Museum. The exhibit features a 1:400 scale model of the fairgrounds, offering visitors a sense of the 1,200-acre exhibition’s vastness.

With over 200 artifacts, hundreds of photos, original art and historical commentary, the exhibit offers a fresh perspective on the wonder and complexities of the Fair. However, one aspect not included in the exhibit is the Jewish story of the Fair—a significant narrative that should not be forgotten.

Jewish St. Louis’ involvement

The Louisiana Purchase Exposition was the first event to bring international recognition to St. Louis. Jewish participation in and response to the fair were significant, showcasing the status of the Jewish community in St. Louis and across the United States.

By 1904, many German Jews had settled in the West End area of St. Louis, between Grand Avenue and Kingsbury Boulevard, extending from West Pine Boulevard to Page Avenue.

‘1904 World’s Fair’ exhibit

WHEN: Open through April 27, 2025

WHERE: Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, 5700 Lindell Blvd.

MORE INFO: Visit mohistory.org

Within this area, Jewish families established a community, built businesses and began to develop a leadership structure.

“Within the Jewish leadership, six members were a part of the 93-member board of the directors of the World’s Fair,” said historian Donald I. Makovsky in a 1986 interview with the Jewish Light. “Five of the six board members, Isaac Schwab, Jonathan Rice, Elias Michael, Charles Aaron Stix and Jacob J. Wertheimer were members of Temple Israel and U.S Rep. Nathan Frank was a member of Share Emeth.”

More than 40 years before the Jewish Light, the St. Louis Jewish community had two main newspapers. In the June 25, 1986 issue of the Jewish Light, Murray B. Darrish, a local historian said, “Reporting and commenting on the

Above, a view of the new ‘1904 World’s Fair’ exhibit at the Missouri History Museum. At right, a detail of the centerpiece of the exhibit, a 1:400 sscale model of the fairgrounds.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

World’s Fair for the Jewish community of St. Louis, came from two similar, but remarkably contrasting editors of the Jewish newspapers at the time. B’nai El Rabbi Moritz Spitz of the Jewish Voice and Abe Rosenthal of The Modern View.”

The Jewish Voice had been in publication since 1879, with Spitz as editor, representing an “old school” perspective for the older generation. In contrast, Rosenthal, a former student of Spitz’s, launched The Modern View in 1901 as an illustrated weekly catering to the assimilated Jewish population of St. Louis.

Ahead of the World’s Fair, Rosenthal capitalized on the event, publishing numerous stories and a book about Jewish progress in St. Louis. This approach angered Spitz, who criticized the book as an “advertising scheme” focused on the commercial achievements of local Jewish merchants rather than the Jewish faith.

Zionist flag and the World’s Fair

Zionist flag unfurled in public debut at 1904 World’s Fair

In the early 20th century, Zionism was a contentious issue for Jews worldwide. In St. Louis, both local Jewish newspaper editors were staunchly anti-Zionist.

However, Michael Stiffelman, a local Zionist leader, successfully persuaded Jules Aubere, a non-Jewish newspaperman, to advocate for the Zionist flag to be flown alongside other nations’ flags atop the Hall of Nations at the 1904 World’s Fair.

EXHIBIT on page 15

ABOUT THE MELVIN L. NEWMARK PAGES

These pages are dedicated to the memory of Melvin L. Newmark, St. Louis attorney and Jewish community leader, who served as president of the St. Louis Jewish Light Board of Trustees from 1969 to 1972. In his memory, Mr. Newmark’s family and friends established the Melvin L. Newmark Memorial Fund, which funds and sponsors Op-Ed commentary articles and special features on a topic of current Jewish interest. The Jewish Light is grateful to Melvin Newmark’s family and friends for establishing this generous fund.

A day to appreciate mothers who ‘over-mom’ from time to time

BY AMY FENSTER BROWN

When I cook dinner for my family, I tend to announce what each dish is. There’s really no need because it’s usually pretty obvious with foods like chicken that look like chicken, broccoli that looks like broccoli, and noodles that look like noodles. No surprises.

At some point during the meal, if one’s plate is without an item, I’ll point it out again. “Did you see the noodles?” My kids, who are annoyed but trying to be polite, will say, “If we want noodles, we’ll take noodles.”

It’s smart of them, actually, to remind me in a nice way that they are fully capable of deciding what they want and don’t need Mom to jump in. Mom knows it, but Mom is still a mom, and she’s going to offer up those noodles until she is told to knock it off because Momming never stops. The chances of moms stopping are like 99-point-never percent.

Even with the best intentions, we moms can over-mom from time to time. We mean well, and we really want to make sure you know we are taking care of you, so we will say and do things that seem unnecessary to our children. Age does not discriminate. I know this because I have a mom who, at age 87, still isn’t sure I know, at age 54, that if the gas gauge on the car is low, I should fill it. Recently, in a waiting room, I saw a man about my age with his elderly mother, checking in for her doctor appointment. Such a nice boy to take good care of her. The mother said to the receptionist, “Are you Linda? I talked to you on the phone! I told you how my son made those barbecued ribs. Well, this is my son! He did such a good job!” Dude was dyyyying. He and I then spoke telepathically. He looked at me saying, “Why on earth is my mother talking to people about my barbecued ribs?” I looked at him saying, “I feel your pain, Bro.” It was a weekday afternoon at a podiatrist’s office. It was like God’s waiting room.

I have an actual voice mail from my mother that says, “When you get to my house, if the door is locked, use your key to get in.” Are you kidding me, woman? Next time you see me in public, ask me, and I’ll play the recording for you. It’s real.

The grocery store, a mile from my mother’s house, has been there for well over 55 years. Somehow my mom thinks my sister, Susie, might not remember where the store is. Susie is also well over 55 years, so she knows her way there. But every time Susie goes, she gets Mommed to the max with directions. The store is one mile away and there is one turn to make. Doesn’t matter. Our mom needs to remind Susie. Every. Single. Time.

Moms are always worried their kids won’t dress properly for cold weather. Grandmothers, who started out as mothers, are especially aware of winter warnings. Once my kid had an outdoor soccer game in November, and my mother-in-law reminded us to wear coats. She came from a long line of women winter worriers, with her own mother practically being a professional coat kvetcher not only to her children, but to her grandchildren as well. You know why? Momming never stops.

My friend, Jenny, is a fully functioning adult member of society, a wife and mother of two teenagers. She’s driven herself to work and her kids to activities for years and years. Yet when she is driving anywhere with her mother, Jenny is told each time someone is crossing the street, as if she didn’t know that hitting them with her car was a bad idea.

My bestie, Nancy, tells her kids they need to text when they get home. They live in her house. Still, she has these young men text the word “home” when they are home, so if she gets up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, she can check her phone for their whereabouts. She doesn’t realize walking into the hallway to see if their bedroom doors are open or closed could really kick up

her step count for the day.

Moms can’t help it. It’s our job to nudge you. It’s our job to over-love you. It’s our job to push you to the very edge of Annoying Mountain. If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother. Soon we Moms get our one day of glory, Mother’s Day, when Hallmark demands our children treat us extra special. In addition to cards, flowers and brunch, I think Hallmark should freshen up the terms of this “holiday.” Moms are allowed to ask invasive questions about topics that are none of their business; remind their kids, adult or younger, to brush their teeth for no less than two minutes; simultaneously talk about how great you are while criticizing your life choices. Now that’s a gift for Mom!

Columnist Amy Fenster Brown is married to Jeff and has two teenage sons, Davis and Leo. She volunteers for several Jewish not-for-profit groups. Fenster Brown is an Emmy Award-winning TV news writer and counts time with family and friends, talking and eating peanut butter among her hobbies.

Amy Fenster Brown with her sons, Davis and Leo.

CHAI LIGHTS

YOUR CALENDAR OF ST. LOUIS JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS

Editor’s note: All Mirowitz Center events are free unless otherwise noted. To register for a Mirowitz Center event, visit http://bit.ly/ Mirowitz-registration, call 314-733-9813 or email info@mirowitzcenter.org.

SUNDAY | MAY 5

Yom HaShoah Holocaust Commemoration

The St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum will hold “Yom HaShoah Holocaust Commemoration 2024: Never Again is Now” at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP or for more information, visit STLHolocaustMuseum. org/Upcoming-Events.

MONDAY | MAY 6

Rabbi Jeffrey Gale to discuss book

From 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 6 author Rabbi Jeffrey Gale will discuss his new book, “The Secret of Redemption.” This book is the sequel to the author’s first book, “The Ballad of East and West,” which tells the story of Rabbi Isaac Levin’s devotion to the cause of Soviet Jewry in the early 1980s.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 8

Antisemitism in high schools and colleges

AJC St. Louis invites parents of students in high school or college to a lunch conversation with AJC’s National Director of Training and Education Lindsey Mintz, who will discuss “Antisemitism in High Schools and Colleges: Unpack and Engage” from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at United Hebrew Congregation. Free, but RSVPs are required by May 6 at ajc.org/stlouis/parentlunch.

Spring Fling concert

Barrelhouse-blues and ragtime pianist Ethan Leinwand returns with his wife, Valerie Jo Kirchhoff (“Miss Jubilee”) for a springtime concert from 3-4:30 p.m. Free, but RSVP required. Co-sponsored by the St. Louis Jazz Club.

“Greetings from Mirowitz” gala

See related news brief on page 5.

THURSDAY | MAY 9

JFed’s ‘2024 Evening of Impact’

See related news brief on page 5.

Intro to smartphone photography

Trainer Jim Salih will go over basic camera tips for taking good selfies, selecting backgrounds, and using optimal lighting from 1-2 p.m. This free Mirowitz Center presentation will cover both Android devices and iPhones. No cost to register, but RSVP required.

Tissue paper magic

Learn to fold and layer tissue paper in creative and artistic ways from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center. Join Contemporary Art Museum staff for a hands-on class. No cost to register, but RSVP required.

FRIDAY | MAY 10

Potluck Shabbat for 20-, 30- and 40-somethings

The young adult chapter of SPARKS

MATCH! is hosting another potluck Shabbat dinner at 6 p.m. Bring something vegetarian to share and celebrate Shabbat together and meet new people. RSVP to Daphne at daphnekoalabear@gmail.com.

TUESDAY | MAY 14

The ABCs of Judaism

Join Rabbi Ze’ev Smason at his monthly in-person program from noon-1 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center. No cost to register, but RSVP is required. This month’s topic: Patience: Do Good Things Come to Those Who Wait?

Yom Ha’Atzmaut gathering with HaShemesh

Join us at Mirowitz Center on Israel’s 76th birthday to hear Israeli and Jewish music with the St. Louis-based band HaShemesh from 3-4 p.m. In a special concert recognizing Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, the band will perform songs that reflect the country’s history and culture. Co-sponsored by Temple Israel.

‘The Week in Review’

Moderated by Harvey Gerstein and Marilyn Alton, “The Week in Review,” from 10-11 a.m. at the Mirowitz Center, is a forum for thoughtful discussion about the most pressing news stories of the week. No cost to register, but RSVP is required. Program is provided with FEL (Friends Enjoying Life), the Mirowitz Center men’s organization.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 15

Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group

This monthly group provides support, connection and education to women in the community who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer and are anywhere along their treatment path – before, during, or post-treatment. Facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Kathy Bearman, this group meets from 5:15 – 6:45 p.m. on the third Wednesday at the J near Creve Coeur. Newcomers are always welcome along with female family and friends. Light kosher dinner will be served. The Hamsa Wellness Community is a program at the J and a community partner of the national, not for profit Sharsheret organization. Free but pre-registration is requested to Debbi Braunstein at 314-442-3266 or dbraunstein@jccstl.org.

Using GovTrack.us

In this free, hands-on workshop from noon-1:30 p.m., Mirowitz Center trainer Daniel Landsbaum explores the GovTrack.us website and its main features: identifying elected representatives, seeing how they vote and learning about bills. With support from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged, the Mirowitz Center will provide a Chromebook computer for you to use during the program. Class size is limited.

THURSDAY | MAY 16

Between the Covers book club

Reference Librarian Hillary Peppers facilitates an online book club every third Thursday of each month from 10-11 a.m. at the Mirowitz Center. No cost to register, but RSVP is required. Book selection for May: Eleanor and Hick by Susan Quinn

MAY

Local Jewish organizations and congregations can submit calendar items to news@ stljewishlight.org. All items received by 5 p.m. Friday will be considered for the following week’s edition.

‘Judaism’s 10 Best Ideas’

Join us from 1-2 p.m. for an interactive discussion, led by Judaic educator Richard Gavatin, about the book “Judaism’s 10 Best Ideas: A Brief Guide for Seekers,” by Dr. Arthur Green, at the Mirowitz Center. Whether you are curious about Judaism or a seasoned student, you will discover new perspectives and insights to enrich your life. No need to read the book beforehand, just bring your questions and opinions.

ting emails, searching your inbox, adding a signature and attaching files. Trainer Larry Edison will combine demos and hands-on practice. With support from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged, the Mirowitz Center will provide a Chromebook computer for you to use during the program. No cost to register, but RSVP is required. Class size is limited.

bring your questions and opinions.

JCRC 2024 Tzedek Awards

STARTING | MAY 17

In Columbia, Mo.: Play tells true story of Jan Karski

“Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski,” a play by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, will be performed this month in Columbia, Mo., in the Compass Listening Room in the Hillel building, 1107 University Ave. The play tells the true story of Karski (1914-2000), who was a Polish Catholic who joined the Polish resistance during WWII. Karski learned what was happening to Polish Jews, and worked to inform the West while there was still time to stop it. Performance dates are May 17, 18, 24, 25 and 26. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. and the Sunday show is a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $20 through Ticket Leap: www.ticketleap.events/tickets/minimalart/remember-this.

SUNDAY | MAY 19

Artist reception at B’nai Amoona gallery

There will be an artist reception at Congregation B’nai Amoona from 2-4 p.m., featuring artists Marianne Baer, Sheryl Faintich, Suzy Farren, Marian Steen and Elaine Unell. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will continue through Aug. 10. The reception and exhibit are open to all.

Jewish War Veterans meeting

Jewish War Veterans Post 644 will meet in the Kaplan-Feldman Holocaust Museum at 10 a.m. on the third Sunday of each month (unless otherwise indicated). A Zoom option will be available for those not able to attend in person. For more information and the Zoom link contact Post 644 Commander Ellis Frohman at 636-519-7512 (leave a message if no one answers).

TUESDAY | MAY 21

Gmail Tips & Tricks

This free workshop, from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center,, covers important Gmail features like spell-checking, format-

Anna Goldfarb Shabsin and David Rosenstock, the Bohm Family, Barry Rosenberg and Heather Fleming will be honored at the Jewish Community Relations Council’s (JCRC) 2024 Tzedek Awards on May 21 at the Clayton Plaza Hotel. For more information and tickets, go to https://jcrcstl.org/ take-action/tzedek-awards-2024.html. Event sponsorships are also still available. Email Elyse Picker at jcrcstl.org for details.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 22

Jewish values in the theater

This five-part Mirowitz Center series from 1-2 p.m. introduces the upcoming New Jewish Theatre (NJT) season and explores Jewish playwrights, characters and values. Each session also includes insights from NJT’s artistic team, discussions with a rabbi, and a discount on play tickets. No cost to register, but RSVP is required. Session #2: We All Fall Down by Lila Rose Kaplan with guest speaker Rabbi Amy Feder (Congregation Temple Israel)

The Rabbi is IN!

On the fourth Wednesday of every month, join Rabbi Neal Rose, chaplain for Jewish Family Services (JFS), for a monthly discussion at the Mirowitz Center from 3-4 p.m. with a Jewish theme. Program is co-sponsored by JFS of St. Louis. No cost to register, but RSVP is required.

THURSDAY | MAY 23

What’s on Your Mind, Joe?

From 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center meet St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Joe Holleman. No cost to register, but RSVP is required.

SUNDAY | MAY 26

Jewish War Veterans Annual Memorial Day Program

The Jewish War Veterans Post 644 will hold its Annual Memorial Day Program at 11 a.m. in the St. Louis Kaplan-Feldman Holocaust Museum.

SIMCHAS

BIRTHS ENGAGEMENTS WEDDINGS MITZVOT

SUBMIT YOUR SIMCHA ANNOUNCEMENT FOR FREE!

MYER-GEORGE ENGAGEMENT

Jessica Myer and Stephen George have announced their engagement.

Jessica is the daughter of Gregory Myer and Ann Myer, both of Dallas. She is the granddaughter of Paul and Dr. Bayla Myer of St. Louis, and the late William and Sandra Gasser of Kansas City.

Stephen is the son of Stephen and Melinda George of St. Clair, Mo. He is the grandson of of the late Stephen and Charlotte George of St. Clair, and the late James and Nancy Evans of Lonedell, Mo.

Jessica graduated from Plano Senior High School in Dallas and the University of Missouri – Columbia, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences. Jessica did an internship in Washington, D.C., her sophomore year at Johns Hopkins, Georgetown and Howard Universities jointly, which resulted in a co-first authorship in a professional journal publication. This experience led Jessica into the graduate school research program working on collaborative projects supported by the University of Missouri Medical School and the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. Jessica is pursuing graduate studies at the University of Missouri in the department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology.

LLC.

Stephen graduated from St. Clair High School and received a full academic scholarship to William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political/legal studies and was president of his fraternity. Stephen received a Curator Scholarship and the Governor Joseph W. Folk Memorial Scholarship from the University of Missouri School of Law. He is an associate attorney in Columbia at the law firm of Simmons, Henderson, & Associates

The couple met while Stephen and Jessica had internships in Washington, D.C. — Stephen had an internship at a large telecommunications law firm, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP. Stephen and Jessica dated that entire time and managed to travel the East Coast as well, claiming they were just friends. Then COVID occurred, the university shut down the living quarters, classes became remote, and somehow both Stephen and Jessica ended up at her grandparents’ house at Innsbrook.

“By then we all knew this was more than a friendship,” writes Jessica’s grandmother, Dr. Bayla Myer.

As soon as COVID was not an obstacle, Stephen and Jessica went to Europe, where Stephen proposed in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

A June 2024 wedding is planned.

Danielle Crall and Jay Seigel have announced their engagement.

Danielle is the daughter of Sam Crall, and Sherry and Dan Diekemper, all of St. Louis, and the granddaughter of Jack and the late Carol Crall, the late Harold and Rosalie Kasten, and the late Herbert and Bernadine Diekemper, all of St. Louis.

Jay is the son of Harvey and the late Janice Seigel of St. Louis, and the grandson of the late Abe and Anita Kaufman, and the late Alexander and Bernice Seigel, all of St. Louis.

Danielle is program manager at FamilyForward. Jay is system support manager at Credit Control LLC. How the couple met sounds like the plot of “Fiddler on the Roof”: A local St. Louis matchmaker made a perfect match and the rest is history.

Danielle writes that she and Jay are “obsessed” with their dogs, Eddy and Noodle. So, Jay enlisted the dogs’ help to surprise Danielle at home when he proposed.

A November 2024 wedding is planned.

TRIBUTES

IN HONOR

PHYLLIS MARKUS

Phyllis, so proud of my dear friend for all your efforts to make our City culturally responsive. You deserve the Woman of Achievement recognition. Way to go! Mazel Tov! — Eunice & John Reichman

OBITUARIES

JOANNE (JOAN) SILVERMAN BAKER, born on July 22, 1952, passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024.

OBITUARIES INDEX

Families may submit an obituary for a loved one through the funeral home they work with or by using a form on the Jewish Light’s website: stljewishlight.org/submit-obituary

JACK BOLOZKY, April 25, 2024

Daughter of the late Mary and Edward Silverman, Joan was a lifelong resident of St. Louis, MO.  She was the cherished wife of the late Robert Baker and the loving mother of Laurie Michelle Slifka (John). Joan was an adoring grandmother of Elliana Quinn and Noah Edward Slifka; a dear sister to Sandra Silverman Wasserman (Frank); and a beloved aunt to Kim Wasserman Weindorf and Tracy Wasserman Cassidy (Michael).

Joan found immense joy in motherhood and provided unwavering support to Laurie throughout her life. She had a fulfilling career as a daycare teacher, a role that she embraced.  The birth of her grandchildren amplified her happiness. An avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, Joan loved watching the games and rooting for her team. She also maintained an active lifestyle with regular workouts at the J and valued the time spent with her friends. Known for her kindness, generosity, and loyalty, Joan was a treasured friend to many.

Following the passing of her husband, Robert, Joan received invaluable support from Jewish Family Services. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be sent to Jewish Family Services at https://jfsstl.org/support/donate/ to honor Joan’s memory.

Funeral plans are pending.

Baker, Joanne (Joan) Silverman

Bierman, Maxine

Bolozky, Jack

Bricker, Arthur Jerold

Kottler, Linda Shapiro

Pergamen, Dr. Aliza Hakimian

Salky, Paula Lynn

Silverstein, Jill

Simpson, Eleanor P.

Soule, Gary T.

MAXINE BIERMAN, a lifelong St. Louis resident, passed away on April 19, 2024, at the age of 93. She was born on September 28, 1930, to Yetta and Sam Berger.

Maxine was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Allan Bierman.

She was a wonderful wife, proud and caring mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Surviving her are her devoted and loving sons: Steven and his wife Kathy, along with their daughter Laura; Robert and his wife Judy, along with their children Ashley and James Kinnett, Matthew and his wife Jessica, and greatgranddaughter Hailey; and Jeffrey and his wife Melinda, along with their children Devon and Reagan.

A private graveside service was held on Friday, April 26th. Those who wish to make donations in her memory may do so to the Alzheimer Association. For more information, please visit bergermemorialchapel.com

Berger Memorial Service

American Flag symbol denotes a United States military veteran. Ev

Beloved husband of the late Lillian “Bubbles” Bolozky.   Cherished father of Scott Bolozky (Mucki Judge) and Nancy Bolozky. Loving grandfather of Caitlyn Bolozky, great grandfather of Adelaide Garibay. Treasured brother of Carol (Marc) Marcovich. Dear stepbrother of the late Herschel (Margie) Price. Dear brother-inlaw of Jerrold E. (Jayn Rosenfeld) Seigel. Beloved son of the late Nancy Blumenfeld and Ralph Bolozky. Our dear uncle, great uncle, cousin, and friend.

A funeral service was held Sunday, April 28 at United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Conway Road followed by interment at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Live stream available at www.rindskopfroth.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service

ARTHUR JEROLD BRICKER, April 27, 2024

Center, MSC 1082-414-2555, 1 Brookings Drive., St. Louis, MO 63130 or online at siteman.wustl. edu/tribute. Please indicate the gift is in memory of Art by writing a memo on your check. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

LINDA SHAPIRO KOTTLER, April 25, 2024 Dear mother of Michael Kottler, Tim Kottler and the late Aaron Kottler.  Loving grandmother of Erin Hayn.  Dear daughter of the late Nathan and Sylvia Shapiro.  Beloved sister of the late Susan Shapiro.  Dear aunt, cousin and friend. Graveside service Thursday, May 2, 2:00pm at United Hebrew Cemetery, 7855 Canton Avenue.  Contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service

ALIZA HAKIMIAN PERGAMEN, MD, April 9, 2024

Aliza, 48, died of cancer in Tel Aviv, Israel, where she was a highly respected family integrative medicine physician and  consultant. She was buried in the Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel near her father, Yusef Hakimian z”l.

Age 79; Born in St. Louis on October 6, 1944 to the late Lester and the late Ruth Bricker; beloved husband of Cassandra Levin Bricker; dear father and father-inlaw of Rick Bricker (Denise) and Scott Bricker (Dena); dear grandfather of the late James Bricker, Ashley Meadows (Mark), Justin Bricker (Ellen Araujo), Josh Bricker (Kassey), and Hanna Smith; dear great-grandfather of Kiley Bricker, Jax Litaker, Leo Meadows, and Axle Corzine; dear brother of Eddie Bricker (Arlene), Sandy Schwartz (Paul) and James Bricker (Shelly); dear brother-in-law of Cindy Pearlman; our dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many. Graveside service Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 11 AM at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Road. Memorial contributions preferred to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 2174 or the Siteman Cancer

Aliza is survived by a loving family – husband Ziv; children Eylam and Oraya; mother Leah Hakimian; sisters Rina Hakimian, Debra Hakimian, Karen Hakimian Orzach;  nieces, nephews and cousins; and countless friends, colleagues and patients whose lives she touched and inspired.

PAULA LYNN SALKY, 1953 – 2024

Paula Lynn Salky passed away on April 18, 2024. Paula was born in Fort Benning, Georgia on August 5, 1953; she attended Ladue High School and Washington University. Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Leatrice (Lee) Weber Salky and Bernard Salky. She is survived by her brother Kenneth (Molly), and nieces Sarah Salky and Ellie (Jared) Weinstein.

Paula had a successful career in women’s fashion and retail. The owner of Chezelle in Ladue for many years, Paula later became the top salesperson at Dillard’s department store in the Eileen Fisher department. Paula had many devoted customers who sought her expertise, keen sense of style, and excellent service.

Paula was a magnificent baker and made something sweet and delicious for every family gathering. She was a devoted daughter and found great happiness in her family, extended family, work colleagues and close friends.

A graveside service was held on Sunday, April 21 in St. Louis, MO. at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Rd. 63124. Memorial contributions in Paula’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater St. Louis. Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.

Berger Memorial Service

Obituaries continue on oppposite page

JILL SILVERSTEIN passed away on April 17th, 2024 after a tenacious battle with pancreatic cancer, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Beloved wife of Jerome Dobson and loving mother of Morris and Lizzy Mills. Beloved daughter of the late Merle “Ruffy” and Marcelyn “Marcee” Silverstein. Dear sister to the late Karen Silverstein, sister-in-law to Greg Huber, and adored aunt to Lucas and Natalie Huber. Cherished cousin, friend and colleague to many.

OBITUARIES

degree from Saint Louis University School of Law while raising three active boys.  Eleanor loved music and passed on her love of music to her three sons.

EXHIBIT

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

women was very successful and there was also a World’s Fair connection.

Jill Silverstein was a well-respected secondgeneration attorney specializing in plaintiff’s employment and civil rights law. She dedicated her life to helping others, fighting for their voices to be heard and their personhood to be seen. Beginning her career as an Assistant US Attorney, Jill had many significant achievements in her legal career, including a 2019 landmark decision in the Missouri Supreme Court which added workplace protections for gay employees for the first time under Missouri Law. An active community member, Jill enjoyed serving on boards for numerous community organizations in the St. Louis area, including Temple Israel, Girls On The Run, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, Webster University School of Communications, and Cultural Leadership. Jill also served as President of both the 8th Circuit and St. Louis Chapters of the National Employment Lawyers Association, as well as President of the Missouri Immigration Rights Association. Her outgoing personality, eternal optimism, and compassion for others will be missed by all.

Beyond the law, Jill had a passion for the arts, graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a MFA in Film and Photography. She was a lifelong learner and had an innate talent for finding the beauty in everything and everyone.

A funeral service was held Friday, April 19 at Congregation Temple Israel, 1 Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin Drive, followed by interment at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road. Live stream available at www.ti-stl.org/ watch. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made in Jill’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or to Planned Parenthood of St. Louis.  Please write “in memory of Jill Silverstein” in the memo line.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service

Eleanor enjoyed spending time in Maine with family and friends and was a long-time educator. She was active on the Board at Community School in Ladue, Missouri and Eleanor was her sons’ and husband’s biggest cheerleader in addition to having her own career as a licensed attorney. She was also a member of the Missouri House Rabbit Society for a time. Eleanor and her husband Joe have lived in St. Louis since 1978.

A graveside service was held Friday, April 26 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road.  Contributions in her memory may be made to Planned Parenthood, Saint Louis University School of Law or to the charity of your choice.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service

GARY T. SOULE, age 76, passed away on April 16 after a 17-month valiant fight against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Gary is survived by the love of his life, Ellen Nisenson Soule, his sisters-in-law Judy (Hank) Goldstein, Barbara (Carl) Lee, and his many devoted nieces, nephews and cousins.

“Stiffelman’s request to fly the Zionist flag at the Fair faced significant opposition,” wrote Robert A. Cohn, editor-inchief emeritus of the Jewish Light. “It was similar to the challenges faced by Theodor Herzl’s dream of an independent Jewish state.”

Cohn noted that the flag waved proudly beside the American flag, the British Union Jack, and the French Tricolor, according to the late Moses Joshua Slonim’s book, “The Struggle for Zion’s Rebirth,” extensively cited in Walter Ehrlich’s “Zion in the Valley: The Jewish Community of St. Louis.”

“My mother’s father came to St. Louis specifically because of the fair,” KaplanLyss told the Jewish Light in 2004. “He was a carpenter and there were lots of construction jobs available. My mother told stories of him travelling on street cars with his ladder.”

The variety of experiences of the new Jewish immigrants is told in story and song with several characters loosely based on real people. One of the characters is Nathan Frank, one of the six Jewish members of the World’s Fair Board of Directors.

The full-scale musical “Another View of The Fair” was complete. The musical was performed in three vignettes at the Missouri Historical Society in Oct. 2004.

Telling a more complete story

He was deliberate, thoughtful, intentional, jovial, appreciative, respected and respectful of others. Words mattered in his life and law practice. He was an avid sports enthusiast especially when it came to the St. Louis Cardinals and college teams, and was a golfer and tennis player for many years. Gary was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. Those who dined with him remember Gary always tucking his napkin into his collar.

A memorable photograph of the Zionist flag flying above the Hall of Nations appeared in the 1926 anniversary edition of The Modern View 1904 makes a comeback in song

In 2004, to mark the 100th anniversary of the World’ Fair, St. Louis celebrated in grand fashion. The memories were especially poignant for members of the Jewish community whose relatives attended the World’s Fair.

“My paternal grandmother, Flora Langsam came to St. Louis in 1904, when the fair was beginning,” said Barbara Langsam Shuman in 2004 interview with the Jewish Light. “She told me stories of how she would go into the fair with her aunt Tante Rosie, who worked at the Fair.”

The 1904 World’s Fair is a celebrated part of St. Louis history, but it also exposed the era’s colonialism and social inequalities, from controversial exhibits to restricted attendance. The new exhibit seeks to offer a more inclusive and comprehensive view of the Fair by featuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives.

Visitors will learn about the more than 1,000 Filipinos brought to live on the Philippine Reservation of the fairgrounds just six years after America colonized the Philippines in 1898. The Philippine Reservation placed Filipinos in a zoo-like environment, with fairgoers observing different groups of people categorized along a scale from ‘civilized’ to ‘savage.’

ELEANOR P. SIMPSON, J.D. of Creve Coeur, Missouri died at the age of 79 on April 17, 2024. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Dr. Joseph R. Simpson, Sr., and their sons Dr. Joseph R. (Monica) Simpson, Jr. of Reno, Nevada and Allan Kenneth (Dr. Tiffany) Simpson, J.D. of Leawood, Kansas. Eleanor was predeceased by her son Michael P. Simpson.  Eleanor was the loving grandmother of Aidan, Brooke, Caroline, Elizabeth and Catherine Simpson.  She was also the dear sister of Dr. Roger (Dr. Joan) Perlmutter and Rosanne (the late Karl) Garrett and the beloved sister-inlaw of Juanita (the late Dr. Ronald) Temple, J.D. Eleanor was a dear aunt to Noah and Lillian Perlmutter as well as to the late Ronald J. Temple, Jr., Randall (Lola) Temple, and Karyn Temple, J.D. She was great aunt to Lauren Michelle Claggett, and also Abby and Dara Temple as well as a cousin and friend to many.

A native of New York City, Eleanor was the daughter of Allan and Ida Perlmutter. An extremely avid reader and excellent student, Eleanor graduated early from high school, graduated from the University of Chicago and earned her Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She capped off her formal education with a law

Gary was born in St. Louis to Jack and Anita (Sandler) Soule. He graduated from University City High School in 1965, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of MissouriColumbia in 1970 and his law degree from St. Louis University School of Law in 1974. He practiced law in St. Louis until 2023 and served on the Clayton Board of Adjustment for many years, serving as its Chair from 2000-2023. During his distinguished legal career, he also served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in St. Louis County, as a founding member and past president of Collaborative Family Law Association of St. Louis and represented clients in family, estate planning, probate and small business matters. Gary was a longtime volunteer and committee chair with the Adult Day Care program at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center.

The family is appreciative of all the care and support from Dr. John DiPersio and the entire medical team at Siteman Cancer Center and his many friends who helped him through his cancer journey. The family also wishes to express its appreciation to Loretta and Rita, Gary’s secretaries for more than 20 years.

A funeral service was held at Berger Memorial Chapel, 9430 Olive Boulevard, St. Louis, Missouri 63132 on Sunday, April 21, 2024, followed by a graveside burial at B’nai Amoona Cemetery, 930 North and South Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63130. The service was live streamed and can be accessed on the Berger Memorial Chapel website bergermemorialchapel.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions can made to: Dr. DiPersio’s Blood Cancer Research Fund at Siteman Cancer Center, MSC 1082-414-2555, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. Please indicate the gift is to Dr. DiPersio’s Research in memory of Gary Soule by writing a memo on your check. You can also give online at siteman. wustl.edu/tribute by typing in “Dr. DiPersio’s Research” after selecting “Other - Designation”; Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman, St. Louis, MO 63108; or to a charity of your choice.

When her grandmother passed away, Langsam Shuman wanted to honor her memory in some special way. The former associate editor of the Jewish Light considered writing a children’s book about her grandmother’s experiences at the World’s Fair.

“I thought this really lends itself to a family musical,” said Langsam Shuman, but her extensive research into the roles of Jews in the Fair and family interviews unfolded another story as well.

“The immigrant side of the story of the Fair, wasn’t at all like the movie ‘Meet Me In St. Louis,’” said Langsam Shuman.

While Langsam Shuman had the story and song lyrics written, she needed assistance with the musical into things.

“In the beginning I got some help from Kim Portnoy at Webster University and then I called Carol Kaplan-Lyss, a very gifted musician and composer,” said Langam Shuman.

The collaboration between the two

In addition to this important history, stories of ice cream cones, grand palaces, sculptures, and celebrations will bring the wonder of the Fair to life and highlight the striking contrast of its complexities.

The new exhibit

Langsam Shuman’s research from 20 years ago revealed that the immigrant story of the 1904 World’s Fair was far from a fairytale. The new exhibit does not shy away from acknowledging these complex truths.

“Many people believe they know the full story of the 1904 World’s Fair, but this new exhibit will introduce them to fresh perspectives and some harsh realities alongside the grandeur and innovations that made the Fair such a pivotal moment in St. Louis history,” said Jody Sowell, President and CEO of the Missouri Historical Society.”

BETTER LIVING FOR BABY BOOMERS & SENIOR ADULTS

2024 PRIMETIME SECTION SPONSORS

Baby Boomers and Senior Adults represent two of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population. The St. Louis Jewish Light’s special Primetime section highlights goods and services, and offers information about better living to Baby Boomers and Senior Adults.

CLARENDALE CLAYTON

WELCOME TO SENIOR LIVING THAT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

Clarendale Clayton has brought a new, elevated perspective to retirement life – figuratively and literally. We had a tall vision for the future of this senior living community, and it’s shaped up to be something even more spectacular than what we envisioned.

Located at the corner of Clayton and Hanley roads, active seniors benefit from upscale residences, exceptional amenities, and invigorating wellness programming. Clarendale Clayton is currently Clayton’s only high-rise community featuring modern design and offering independent living, assisted living and memory care.

This is truly a level up in senior living. And did we mention the view from the 12th-floor Signature Room? With the rooftop terrace, polished penthouse, and private balconies, residents overlook the stunning sights of the city and feel like they truly have it all.

Executive Director and St. Louis native Ted Fronczak is honored to work with a team of industry professionals who selflessly serve seniors and are enthusiastic about what each day offers residents. Alongside Ted is Maggie Mundwiller, Director of Sales and Marketing and also a St. Louis native. Their team’s goal is to create a culture that’s rich with fulfilling experiences and opportunities to thrive.

A UNIQUE APPROACH WITH A MODERN DESIGN

Residences in our high-rise building are anything but limited. Independent living, assisted living and memory care floor plans are designed not only for beauty and modernity but for accessibility and convenience as well. Here’s what you can expect to discover in your new home:

• One-, two- or three-bedroom/ one- or two-bathroom independent living apartments, some featuring dens

• Studio, one- or two-bedroom/one- or two-bathroom assisted living apartments

• Shared companion suite or studio/one-bathroom memory care apartments

• Stainless steel kitchen appliances and in-unit washer and dryer included in all independent living apartments

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS AND AMENITIES

Seniors looking for luxury living with the reassurance of future care are met with personalized services, exceptional dining, trendy fitness classes, live entertainment, art exhibits, excursions in and beyond the city, and more enriching opportunities. Clarendale Clayton resident John Drew says, “I have a new lease on life that I wasn’t even looking for – truly a pleasant surprise.”

John and his neighbors also benefit from these five-star features: Coach transportation service

• A charming salon and spa

Proximity to the Saint Louis Art Museum, The Muny, Powell Symphony Hall, Fox Theatre, Washington University, Forest Park, and the Missouri Botanical Garden

A partnership with Oasis Institute, promoting lifelong learning and wellness

• Heartfelt Connections – A Memory Care Program® – A proven approach to dementia and Alzheimer’s that nurtures dignity and improves quality of life

It’s where you want to be. It was our motto before we opened our doors, and now residents live it and breathe a sigh of relief knowing everything they’ve ever wanted out of their futures is here.

Discover a retirement lifestyle at the height of sophistication.

Superb hospitality. Exceptional amenities. Vibrant personalities.

Discover a retirement lifestyle at the height of sophistication.

Superb hospitality. Exceptional amenities. Vibrant personalities.

Superb hospitality. Exceptional amenities. Vibrant personalities.

Superb hospitality. Exceptional amenities. Vibrant personalities.

Clarendale Clayton has it all in a unique location unlike anything you’d expect from typical senior living options.

Clarendale Clayton has it all in a unique location unlike anything you’d expect from typical senior living options.

Urban

Clarendale Clayton has it all in a unique location unlike anything you’d expect from typical senior living options.

Clarendale Clayton has it all in a unique location unlike anything you’d expect from typical senior living options.

Urban excitement lives on every floor of our high-rise building, all the way up to the penthouse and private apartment balconies with views of the city, gourmet restaurant dining, modern wellness programming, social gatherings, and everything you need to live with ease and enjoyment.

Urban excitement lives on every floor of our high-rise building, all the way up to the penthouse and private apartment balconies with views of the city, gourmet restaurant dining, modern wellness programming, social gatherings, and everything you need to live with ease and enjoyment.

Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care

Urban excitement lives on every floor of our high-rise building, all the way up to the penthouse and private apartment balconies with views of the city, gourmet restaurant dining, modern wellness programming, social gatherings, and everything you need to live with ease and enjoyment. CALL 314-789-8173 TO SCHEDULE A

CALL 314-789-8173 TO SCHEDULE A PERSONAL TOUR AND EXPERIENCE FIVE-STAR LIVING FIRSTHAND.

Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care

Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care

Independent Living ■ Assisted Living ■ Memory Care

Clarendale Clayton ■ 7651 Clayton Road ■ Clayton, MO 63117

Clarendale Clayton ■ 7651 Clayton Road ■ Clayton, MO 63117

Clarendale Clayton ■ 7651 Clayton Road ■ Clayton, MO 63117

ClarendaleClayton.com ■ ClarendaleClaytonLIFE@ClarendaleClayton.com

ClarendaleClayton.com ■ ClarendaleClaytonLIFE@ClarendaleClayton.com Discover a retirement lifestyle at the height of sophistication.

ClarendaleClayton.com ■ ClarendaleClaytonLIFE@ClarendaleClayton.com

Clarendale Clayton ■ 7651 Clayton Road ■ Clayton, MO 63117 ClarendaleClayton.com ■ ClarendaleClaytonLIFE@ClarendaleClayton.com Discover

Here are the four pillars of active aging

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Play Wordle and take a walk in the morning, then eat an apple and socialize with friends in the afternoon. Congratulations—you have successfully taken essential steps toward the goal of healthy aging.

Older adults concerned about mental and physical deterioration can slow down that decline by making simple lifestyle changes. To get started, it’s helpful to understand the four pillars of healthy aging. They consist of:

• Physical health, exercise and proper sleep

• Diet and nutrition

• Cognitive activity

• Social engagement

The pillars provide a framework to develop better health and well-being, which can positively impact longevity.

There is a clear interconnection among the pillars. Consider the correlation between heart and brain health. An individual with heart disease or diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. That’s why proper nutrition is especially important as we age, as is the selection of food, according to Golda Cohen, senior care consultant at AW Health Care.

“Older people tend to eat smaller amounts of food,” Cohen said. “That means the food that is eaten should be more nutrient dense, less processed, and less sugary. It should be good food with nutritional value.”

Regular exercise has a variety of benefits beyond brain health. It can lower the risk of high blood pressure, colon cancer and breast cancer. Cognitive activities are also important, whether they be assembling a jigsaw puzzle or learning to play a musical instrument. The act of engaging in challenging mental activities helps the brain by improving cognitive reserve.

“It helps to have regular activities,” Cohen said. “That improves your brain health, and it helps manage your weight, and reduce the risk of disease, along with strengthening bones and muscles. If you are moving, and not sedentary, you’re going to be able to perform the activities of daily living more easily.”

The idea of healthy aging is not new. A version of the concept, known as “successful aging” was the subject of a landmark 1997 study by the researchers John Rowe and Robert Kahn. They pointed to specific

steps to age successfully. One was avoiding disease and disability. For example, stop smoking and consuming high fat in your diet.

Besides eating well, a good way to avoid disability is to perform a safety assessment of your living space. A caregiver for an adult who is a fall risk should look out for furniture and counters with spark edges and make necessary modifications. Other potential safety hazards can be present in the bathroom. Grab bars in the shower can prevent falls. The National Council on Aging (www.ncoa.org) offers a comprehensive safety guide for older adults and a room-by-room checklist.

Prevention is a key and a definite step toward remaining disability-free, said Golda Cohen.

“Once you’ve started down the path to being injured, then you’re more susceptible to other things happening to you,” she said. “If someone lives in a small environment and is sedentary, going to the bathroom may be their only movement. A wet floor or loose rug can cause a fall and bruising.”

In their healthy aging model, Rowen and Kahn also recommended engaging in an active life and maximizing physical and mental abilities. Following their guidelines was a significant contributing factor to remaining healthy and active, according to

Paul Weiss, president of Oasis, which works to enrich the lives of older adults through its various programs.

“People that age successfully and have the most self-reported happiness and better health outcomes are people that have ongoing cognitive stimulation,” Weiss said. “They live active lifestyles which includes exercise and making healthy food choices and doing things that will promote functional movement.

“They are purposely engaged, they feel relevant. Lifelong learning is part of their lives and what they seek out every day. At Oasis, we offer lifelong learning and a very broad range of health programs.”

Oasis is now in 42nd year providing opportunities for older adults to learn and participate in meaningful activities.

St. Louis NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community), a nonsectarian neighborhood program administered by Jewish Family Services in the Creve Coeur area, is celebrating its 20th year in 2024, offering community connections and involvement opportunities for older adults.

Both organizations offer opportunities to socialize and maintain cognitive strength, said Golda Cohen. “You can keep yourself sharp, learn new skills, and along the way, meet new people,” she said.

Paul Weiss said Oasis also provides a range of volunteering options and that

“These programs are all cohort based— there is a social connection.”

Social connection and interaction is an important factor in alleviating loneliness and depression. Think back to 2020 when COVID interrupted those connections. Older adults were especially vulnerable to feelings of isolation and sadness. As humans, we thrive on staying in contact with friends and relatives. The act of meeting someone for coffee or lunch is a welcome break and opportunity to share good news and catch up.

Tips for Healthy Aging

You can start your journey to healthy aging right now. Try these simple steps and begin a routine so you maintain or increase your activity. Keeping an activity log can also help.

Exercise – Start slowly and set management goals. Walk a few blocks, then work your way up to a half-mile and beyond. Doing something you enjoy, so it doesn’t seem like a chore. Making exercise a social event helps, too. Consider a beginning pickleball class with friends. It’s a good entry-level, low-impact competitive sport.

Nutrition – Calcium and vitamin D are important for bone health, and you’ll get plenty from green vegetables like Chinese cabbage and broccoli. Combine those with seafood like salmon or tuna and you’ll satisfy your omega-3 fatty acid intake, which is important for cognitive function.

Cognitive activity – Make a reading list of books or articles that you’ll find challenging or inspiring. Play a word game like Scrabble. Enroll in a continuing education class or get involved with a new hobby.

Social engagement – Many of the options for exercise and cognitive activity can be combined with getting together with friends and relatives. Maintaining contact with others will minimize feelings of loneliness, isolation.

BY DOROTHY FIRESTONE SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

It’s that time of the year to consider a kitchen garden, which could be right in your kitchen, provided it gets lots of sun. Because every kitchen does not have west windows, however, a kitchen garden does best outdoors in a sunny spot in your yard. But there is no need to plough up your lawn. Make your kitchen garden a garden of pots, in which herbs grow quite well. Place the pots in the sunny spots, fill them with potting soil, and you are on your way to a kitchen garden. And at any nursery or market, you can acquire herbs in small pots, ready to plant.

MORE RECIPES

View recipes for Pasta With Pesto Sauce and Chicken Breasts Roasted With Fresh Herbs. — Page 24

What exactly are herbs? Herbs are plants that are grown for their medicinal, aromatic and seasoning uses. They are sources of nectar and pollen for insects and wildlife such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. They grow best with at least six hours of sun every day.

According to Denise De Ghelder, manager of Garden Heights Nursery in Richmond Heights, herbs are tough to grow inside but easy plants to grow outside. “They like warmth and humidity,”

See GARDEN on page 24

‘Kitchen garden’ can produce delicious results

Sage And Onion Casserole

It’s early to think about Thanksgiving, but this casserole depends on the flavor of fresh sage which can also be frozen sage.  Harvest the sage leaves, rinse them with water, towel dry them and freeze them.  They will be there for you when you want them in November.

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:

½ pound raw turkey breast, ground

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 lb. onions, peeled and finely chopped

1 egg

1 cup chicken broth

10 fresh or frozen sage leaves, finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon)

2 cups breadcrumbs made from dense white or whole grain bread.

1 tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. freshly ground pepper

6 tbs. slivered almonds, divided

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 1 ½ quart baking dish.

2. Sauté the ground turkey in 1 tablespoon of the oil.  When it has lost its raw look and is starting to brown, remove it from the pan and set aside.

3. Add the remaining oil to the pan and sauté the onions until they are soft.

4. In a large bowl, beat the egg.  Add the

turkey, broth, sage leaves, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and 4 tablespoons of the almonds.  To insure a well-seasoned casserole, sauté a tablespoon or so in a small skillet. Taste and correct the seasoning if necessary.

5. Put the mixture into the greased pan and sprinkle with the remaining almonds.  Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the casserole starts to brown.

Note:  For huge quantities (5 times the recipe), divide the ingredients into two casseroles.

Herb And Flower Salad

From Denise DeGhelder

1. Mix together your favorite salad greens, such as arugula, spinach or mixed greens.

2. Add a variety of edible flowers like nasturtiums, pansies, or calendula petals.

3. Toss in some fresh herbs like basil, mint or parsley.

4. Dress with a light vinaigrette made with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Delmar Gardens of Chesterfield 636-532-0150

Delmar Gardens of Creve Coeur 314-434-5900

Delmar Gardens of Meramec Valley 636-343-0016

Delmar Gardens of O’Fallon 636-240-6100

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Delmar Gardens West 314-878-1330 Med Resources

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636-733-7100

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COMPANY PROFILES

With towering trees and a park-like landscape for in-ground burials, New Mount Sinai is the only Jewish cemetery in St. Louis with a Community Mausoleum. Serves the entire Jewish Community. Permits burial of cremains and nonJewish burials. Feel free to drive or stroll through our 2.5 miles of paved pathways. Call or email to schedule an actual or virtual tour. Open dawn to dusk. Current photos on Facebook and Instagram. Established in 1850, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

8430 Gravois Road • St. Louis, MO 63123 314-353-2540 • NewMtSinaiCemetery.org

customized exclusively for seniors. 314-993-0111 TheGatesworth.com

At The Gatesworth, Senior Living Your Way ensures a fulfilling life with diverse choices in a vibrant community. Since 1988, our vision has been to create a warm, comfortable environment full of opportunities. Executive Director Carrie Montrey emphasizes, “It’s about being well, not just living well.” Offering modern apartments without commitment to buy, our move-in coordinator assists with relocation. Residents enjoy customization options and a bustling social calendar. Our beautiful grounds include a lakeside courtyard and gardens. Inside, there's a theatre, fitness center, spa and dining options. Discover The Gatesworth and experience exceptional senior living today; call 314-993-0111 or visit TheGatesworth.com. 314-993-0111 • thegatesworth.com

Founded in 1965, Delmar Gardens provides healthcare services to over 4,000 seniors in Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, Nebraska, Illinois and Nevada; featuring skilled nursing, retirement, assisted living, home health, hospice, medical equipment, and pharmacy. Since 1993, Gabe Grossberg has served as Delmar Gardens President and CEO. Nationally known and respected as a longterm care executive, Gabe Grossberg has over 40 years of experience in the senior healthcare and development arena. Read more at www.delmargardens.com.

The Delmar Gardens Family 636-733-7000 • www.DelmarGardens.com

Emily Stein MacDonald is a fifth-generation funeral director who joined her father, Richard W. Stein, at Berger Memorial Chapel in 2009. As a funeral director, Emily provides compassionate, caring guidance and support to families in their time of need.

Alana Shapiro specializes in providing sensitive, personalized counseling to individuals seeking information about preplanning funeral services in her role as Advance Planning Director at Berger Memorial Chapel.

Richard, Emily, Alana and the staff of Berger Memorial Chapel are honored to provide thoughtful, professional service to the St. Louis Jewish Community.

Conveniently located in Olivette, Berger Memorial Chapel is a locally-managed and locally-operated funeral home that has been serving our Jewish community since 1896.

9340 Olive Boulevard • St. Louis, MO 63132 314-361-0622 • www.bergermemorialchapel.com

Assisted Living & Memory Care

Setting the standard in assisted living and memory care for over 30 years. Our vibrant community is ideal for senior adults who still wish to live independently but may benefit from a little help to enjoy full, active lives. We offer the amenities and services you want, along with true, all-inclusive rates that are simple, predictable and worry-free. Our community features large suites and single bedroom apartments with kitchenettes, as well as beautifully landscaped gardens, outdoor spaces and walking paths.

Please call for more information or to schedule a tour.

3  McKnight Place • St. Louis, MO 63124 314-993-3333 • mcknightplace.com

BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

The Cardinals won their first World Series in 1926, over the New York Yankees. The following season, just outside the ballpark, Esther Schimmel started a hot dog stand that would feed countless baseball fans and many players for the next four decades.

Schimmel was a Jewish immigrant from Poland. She was an excellent cook, a savvy entrepreneur and a philanthropist who supported Jewish organizations. For Cardinals fans who attended games at Sportsman’s Park, she was a purveyor of delicious hot dogs.

“I do remember that hot dog,” said St. Louis baseball fan Steve Alper. “I just remember you bit into it and a huge snap followed as the burnt edges broke off. Just glorious.”

Dennis Brodsky of St. Louis said, “My grandfather Aubie took my brother Randy and I to ballgames. We wanted to go inside the ballpark, and Grandpa Aubie said, ‘No, no, no, no. We’re going right here across the street to get a hot dog.’ So we lined up and he gave me a quarter to put on the counter, just like on ‘Seinfeld’ when they laid down the money for the soup. It was a great time —great memories.”

About 1900, Schimmel, then married to Harry Kantner, emigrated from Goworowo, Poland, to the U.S. They had two children and lived on Grand Avenue next door to a

Hot dogs and baseball

Catholic church. Esther, who was a skilled seamstress, sewed habits for the nuns and opened a millinery shop.

Harry Kantner died during a flu epidemic and Esther met and married Louis Schimmel, a German Jewish immigrant. The family bought a house at N. Spring Avenue and Dodier Street, across the street from Sportsman’s Park.

The house burned down, and Louis paved the lot and converted it to a parking lot that could fit 60 cars during the baseball season. Esther had Louis build her a hot dog stand on the corner of the parking lot.

“The two of them were real entrepreneurs,” said Harvey Tettlebaum, 82, Esther’s grandson. “She built a millinery business and was supporting her family. She was really quite a woman.”

Tettlebaum, a member of Temple Beth El in Jefferson City, said opening a food stand was a natural role for his grandmother because she was an excellent cook.

“She was a good baker,” he said. “Her challah was just unbelievable.”

Tettlebaum, a lawyer, had his first job at age 11 working for Esther and Louis. He earned $1 per day collecting payment from baseball fans parking in Louis’ parking lot and serving hot dogs at Esther’s stand.

“In those days, when you had a double-header, the owners wouldn’t feed the ballplayers between games,” Tettlebaum said. “The ushers would come out and get hot dogs because the hot dogs in the ball-

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Immigrants from Poland pleased the palates of fans and players at old Sportsman’s Park

park were nowhere near as good as her hot dogs. When they were ready, I would hand the hot dogs to the ushers at the players entrance. After the game, the players would come by, and they’d get a hot dog. I remember serving hot dogs to Red Schoendienst and Enos Slaughter.”

Esther Schimmel’s hot dogs were coveted by baseball fans and players because they were cheap (25 cents) and high quality. She sold enough hot dogs to be considered one of the top customers of Mickelberry Meats and a neighborhood bakery on Cardinals game days.

Esther, however, never ate her specialty: She kept kosher.

“She sold only all-beef hot dogs, but she handled them with egg tongs, so she never touched treif,” Tettlebaum said.

Esther also observed the sabbath, so she never worked on Friday night or Saturday day games. She always walked with the family to shul on Saturday mornings.

On May 8, 1966, Cardinals fans said goodbye to Sportsman’s Park and Esther Schimmel’s hot dogs. The team moved downtown to Busch Stadium. Carter Carburetor Company needed space for employee parking, so it leased the Schimmels parking lot, providing a steady income after the hot dog stand closed.

The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council estimates baseball fans consume about 20 million hot dogs per season. In St. Louis, Kohn’s is carrying on the tradition established 97 years ago by Esther Schimmel. Kohn’s Stadium Cart, at Section 147 of Busch Stadium, and is in its 11th year selling kosher hot dogs, pastrami and knackwurst sandwiches at Cardinals games.

Several years ago, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia featured Esther Schimmel in an exhibit entitled “Chasing Dreams.”

These days, the corner where Schimmel’s lot once stood still sees baseball action: At N. Spring Avenue and Dodier Street you’ll now find the ball fields of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis.

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CENTERED: CRAFTING YOUR PATH TO BETTER BALANCE

FREE COMMUNITY TALK: BETTER BALANCE BY: DR BETH TEMPLIN, PT, DPT, GCS GERIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPIST

loved one has l within the last probably already ering it can be

Once you fall, your whole world changes Where you once felt comfortable and confident, you now start to doubt your abilities To avoid having another fall, you start to give up the things you love to do When this happens, you become less mobile, and your strength and independenc e start to decline You begin to lose your confidence and everyday tasks such as going out to the grocery store can become too much to handle

If you or a loved one are caught in this downward spiral, you’re not alone There are ways to take control of your balance and regain your active lifestyle, again

Even though it's normal to experience some declines as you age, it is NOT normal to lose your balance and fall Fortunately, no matter what your age, physical therapy can help to improve your balance and make you more steady on your feet

If you're ready to live a life without the fear of falling, we can help Our Physical Therapy Team has helped hundreds of people right here in St Louis improve their balance and get back to doing the things they love

Unsure if Physical Therapy can actually help you to improve your balance? Then I invite you to attend our upcoming FREE Community Talk “Better Balance"

During This Workshop You'll Learn:

Why people think falling is a "normal" part aging, when it's not

What you can do to decrease your risk of a fall right away

The 4 phases of the falling cycle

How to decrease your risk of injury with a fall

The top 6 balance exercises you can do at home Consequences of not being able to get up from the floor

When: Friday, May 17th at 2:30pm Where: 3809 Lemay Ferry Rd, 63125

*Attend in-person or join us online from your home Call (314) 939-1377 to register Space is limited

A photo from shows Esther Schimmel’s Hot Dog Stand at Sportsman’s Park. Harvey Tettlebaum is at far left. PHOTO COURTESY HARVEY TETTLEBAUM

GARDEN

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

she said. “Some, like basil, love the heat.”

In fact, you could enlarge your container garden featuring herbs to include vegetables. “Many vegetables have been hybridized to be container-grown,” she said. “There are patio eggplants, patio tomatoes. And most any pepper and any leafy greens do great in a pot.”

Furthermore, flowers and edibles can be grown together in the same garden or container. “This is known as companion planting, where certain plants benefit each other when grown together,” she said. “For example, marigolds can help repel pests from vegetables like tomatoes, while nasturtiums can attract beneficial insects like bees and repel harmful ones like aphids.”

(Both marigolds and nasturtiums are edible.)

Ghelder suggested a window box (a small kitchen garden) for leafy greens, like Swiss chard and spinach. But what you need in any pot is a bag of good soil and fertilizer to be used during the season, she said.

If there is frost, she suggests covering outside pots with Harvest Guard or a bed sheet—something in a light material which you remove in the morning.

And when to plant? The week before Mother’s Day, Ghelder says. The temperature must be above 50 degrees at night.

“Always consider the sunlight, water and soil needs of each plant when planning your garden,” she said. “Of course, containers make this easier because they can be moved to suit their needs.”

Pasta With Pesto Sauce

Adapted from “Essentials of Italian Cooking” by Marcella Hazan (Alfred A. Knopf, 1997)

Serves 8 as a first course or side dish, 4 as a main course

Grow your own basil, and you can squirrel away this sauce all summer. Freeze it without the cheese and the softened butter.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves, well washed in cold water and patted dry

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbs. pine nuts

2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped fine before adding them to the food processor

1 tsp. kosher salt

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbs. freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

3 tbs. butter softened to room temperature.

1 ½ lbs. pasta

DIRECTIONS:

1. Put the basil, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic and salt in a food processor and process to a uniform creamy consistency.  At this point, you can freeze the pesto.

2. To finish the pesto, transfer it to a bowl and stir in the 2 grated cheeses.  Stir in the softened butter.

3. Cook the pasta in a big pot of boiling salted water until it is tender but firm to the bite.  Drain the pasta into a large bowl, reserving ½ cup of the cooking water.

4. Toss the pasta with the pesto sauce, diluting it slightly with a tablespoon or two of the hot water in which the pasta was cooked.

village of expert memory care clinicians. A village of highlyskilled nurses and staff for every stage of dementia—from assisted-living to skilled-nursing care. What’s more, we’ve designed Parc Provence to function as a village—with five levels of care provided in a household setting. Plus a greenhouse, ice cream parlor, library, art gallery, chapel and more, all nestled amongst private pathways and gardens exclusively for residents and their visitors. Putourvillagetoworkforyourfamily.

Chicken Breasts Roasted With Fresh Herbs

INGREDIENTS:

4 chicken breast halves with skin and bone

Sprigs of fresh thyme, parsley, rosemary, marjoram, any or a combination

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place the breasts skin side up in a rimmed baking sheet.

2. Gently loosen the skin of the breast.  Stuff a teaspoon or so of the herbs under the skin and scatter more on top.

3. Put some zest on top of each breast and pour on the lemon juice.

4. Roast for 1 hour.  Serve at once or reserve for sandwiches.

COMPANY PROFILES

For over 135 years, Rindskopf-Roth Funeral Chapel has been dedicated to providing dignified funeral services to the St. Louis Jewish Community.  We offer a variety of funeral services ranging from traditional funerals in accordance with Jewish Law to memorial services and cremation.  We also offer funeral pre-planning.  Owned and operated by the Roth Family, our caring family staff members are committed to providing the utmost personal guidance and compassion while tailoring services to the wishes of the families we serve.

5216 Delmar Blvd. • St. Louis, MO 63108-1093 (314) 367-0438 • www.rindskopfroth.com

For 60 years, Royal Banks of Missouri has proudly served as your local community bank.

Locally owned and operated, we operate convenient locations in the St. Louis, St. Charles, Granite City, Jerseyville and Northeast Missouri areas.

We also offer monthly, in-facility banking support to residents of Covenant Place at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center and Gladys & Henry Crown Center.

Royal Banks of Missouri provides a full range of products and services designed to meet your personal and professional banking needs. Call (314) 212-1500 or visit royalbanksofmo.com to discover how we can assist you in your financial journey today.

(314) 212-1500 • www.royalbanksofmo.com

At HouseFit we love to help people in their 60’s, 70’s and beyond get back to living the life they deserve. Which means a life full of energy and confidence, allowing you to live the retirement you for which you planned. We offer specialty services for aging adults including physical therapy, fitness classes, and in-home visits. We help people with arthritis, balance issues, chronic pain, dizziness, loss of independence, neuropathy, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s. We look forward to partnering with you on your aging journey. Schedule a Free Consultation to get started (314) 939-1377. 314-939-1377 • www.housefitstl.com

Transitions for Senior Living is St. Louis’ most trusted resource for seniors and their families navigating the complexities of senior living options.

Transitions For Senior Living, is a locally owned, hands-on service, assisting families in the St. Louis area since 2012. We will simplify the process to make it easier for you to make educated choices and reduce the stress and pressure – Completely Free of Charge!

Our advisors have extensive knowledge and expertise with all facets of senior living, from Independent to Assisted Living, to Memory Care and Skilled Nursing. We know the differences in the level and quality of care, pricing, availability, and the social culture that each community provides. We also have a wide range of trusted resources that can help with any senior related topic.

We know that you cannot predict the future – but you can prepare for it.

314-606-8531 • transitionsforseniorliving.com

The grounds are a perfect place to spend time with my daughter. There is so much to do, and if you participate, you meet some really lovely people.

Celebrating 35 Years of Exceptional Living

The Gatesworth provides the perfect canvas to enjoy life your way. Living in an exquisitely appointed apartment surrounded by beautiful, lush grounds, you’ll feel inspired to pursue new interests, expand your knowledge, build friendships and embrace your independence. We invite you to discover The Gatesworth and experience exceptional senior living today. Call 314-993-0111.

he G aT eswor T h com Facebook.com/TheGatesworth The Gatesworth is an

COMPANY PROFILES

Parc Provence — a licensed skilled nursing community — proudly serves the St. Louis region. Our community offers its residents and their families exceptional care for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through dedicated, person-centered support. As a community of well-being, Parc Provence empowers senior adults by promoting individual physical and cognitive abilities. Our staff is led by an experienced team of medically-trained professionals. From an administrator who has over 30 years of nursing experience to medical directors who serve as leading authorities on gerontology and dementia at Washington University, our staff provides unrivaled care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Please call for more information or to schedule a tour.

605 Coeur de Ville Drive • Creve Coeur, MO 63141 314-542-2500 • parcprovence.com

AccuCare Home Health

Care of St. Louis was founded in 1994 by Jacque Phillips, RN, BSN, and is locally, family RN-owned and RN-managed, and is dedicated to providing seniors with the finest private, in-home health care. Treating clients as they would care for their own family is the driving force that allows AccuCare to provide exceptional care, delivered with compassion, integrity, and dedication. AccuCare provides a custom care plan for each client with 24/7 RN Oversight. In addition, our caregivers can assist with essential everyday needs, transport clients to appointments, perform light housekeeping, meal preparation, provide respite care to families, and more.

1185 N. Price Rd. • St. Louis, MO 63123 314-692-0020 • accucare.com

The right approach to providing comprehensive care. The right location for your family. The right amenities all around you, from dining to activities to entertainment. The right environment to rediscover your old self and become your next self. Come learn what makes locally-owned McKnight Place The Right Place for both our residents and their families. Ask about our all-inclusive pricing.

Call for more information or to schedule a personal tour.

MARI de VILLA distinguishes itself from typical retirement homes by offering a more holistic and multifaceted approach to senior living. We provide a full suite of care options, including Skilled Nursing and Memory Care, designed to accommodate seniors in varying health conditions and levels of independence. This allows residents to transition through different stages of health without leaving the comfort and

VILLA is situated on 22 acres in Town and Country,

units ranging from 1,000 to over 3,300 square feet. 13900 Clayton Road, Town & Country •

atmosphere with surroundings of simple elegance. We offer 54

At HouseFit we love to help people in their 60’s, 70’s and beyond get back to living the life they deserve. Which means a life full of energy and confidence, allowing you to live the retirement you for which you planned. We offer specialty services for aging adults including physical therapy, fitness classes, and in-home visits. We help people with arthritis, balance issues, chronic pain, dizziness, loss of independence, neuropathy, osteoporosis, and Parkinson’s. We look forward to partnering with you on your aging journey. Schedule a Free Consultation to get started (314) 939-1377. 314-939-1377 • www.housefitstl.com

and

SP TLIGHT

PHOTOS FROM RECENT JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS

SUBMIT A PHOTO: Have a photo of a recent Jewish community event you would like to submit? Email the image and a suggested caption to news@stljewishlight.org.

Crown Center recently hosted a Passover program for residents and neighbors, led by Rabbi Scott Shafrin of Jewish Community Relations Council. Crown Center noted that volunteers and the Jossem Fund, a Supporting Fund of Jewish Federation of St. Louis, made the holiday celebration possible. At left and right, Crown Center residents and neighborhood seniors joined in the celebration.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

VIEW MORE ONLINE: stljewishlight.org/multimedia

At right, Ganel shared photos of what she delivered to IDF soldiers from Shaving Israel. The hydration packs (“Schlukers”) went to 400 soldiers in Gaza. The thermal socks were delivered to 1,600 soldiers on the Northern Israel border. And 3,000 protein bars went to soldiers in Gaza. For more information about Shaving Israel’s work, visit shavingisrael.org.

SHAVING ISRAEL

THE AFTERMATH OF OCT. 7

On March 31, Shaving Israel sponsored a program at Nusach Hari B’nai Zion entitled “The Aftermath Of Oct. 7”  featuring Chris Hexter (shown at left), who recounted the life of his grandson, IDF soldier Yakir Hexter (z’’l). Yakir was killed in Gaza defending the State of Israel and the Jewish people everywhere. Also speaking were Laura Goldmeier, Shaving Israel President; Meira Ganel (above), who gave an eyewitness report of how Shaving Israel purchases and delivers in person needed personal items to IDF soldiers, and Rabbi Ze’ev Smason who offered closing remarks and prayers for the IDF. Hexter brought his grandson’s personality and beliefs and experiences to life; his presentation, including many photographs of Yair, was mesmerizing. He offered to help Shaving Israel in future fundraising endeavors. PHOTOS OF HEXTER AND GANEL COURTESY OF

Above, Rabbi Scott Shafrin. At left, Crown residents (from left) Raisa Pernick, Galena Dega, Fruma Kublanova and Anna Pikus.

Katie Garland, Florence Schachter, Randi Schenberg, Zhanna Bershteyn. Schachter and Bershteyn came out of retirement to join Crown Center for the program.

NEIL DUNSKI