CHAI LIGHTS

FRIDAY | MAY 12

Prayer Lab: End & Begin

At 6 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth, take part in Prayer Lab, a non-traditional Shabbat service combining contemporary readings, poetry, participatory music, interactive teachings and time set aside for meditation and personal reflection. Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, Lucy Greenbaum and the Prayer Lab musicians lead the service, which this month is themed “End and Begin.” Guests can join at Shaare Emeth’s Kehillah Center (use north entrance) or watch the live stream.

SATURDAY | MAY 13

NHBZ Rabbi Emeritus Ze’ev Smason returns with special “Starting Points” discussion

NHBZ Rabbi Emeritus Ze’ev Smason will present a special “Starting Points” discussion at 10 a.m. He will discuss “Religion vs. Spirituality What’s the Difference?” Free and open to the community. No RSVP is required. For more information, call 314991-2100, ext. 2.

TUESDAY | MAY 16

Kolot Choir to present free concert on May 16

See related news brief on page 6.

Crown Center trip to Botanical Garden’s Chihuly Exhibit

At 12:30 p.m. visit the newly renovated Missouri Botanical Garden to see and smell the spring flowers and marvel at the Chihuly glass sculptures exhibited throughout the gardens. The cost is $3 per person. RSVP to 314-991-2055.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 17

Sharsheret’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer support group

This monthly group provides support, connection and education to women in the St. Louis Jewish community who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer and are anywhere along their treatment path –before, during, or post-treatment. Facilitated by a licensed clinical social worker, this group meets from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday via Zoom. Newcomers are always welcome along with female family and friends. Sharsheret Supports STL is a program of the J’s Nishmah and a partner of the national, not for profit Sharsheret organization. Free, but pre-registration requested to Debbi Braunstein at 314-442-3266 or dbraunstein@jccstl.org.

Fighting Bigotry & Hatred: Center for Bosnian Studies

From 1 to 2 p.m. Adna Karamehic-Oates and Benjamin Moore of the Center for Bosnian Studies will lead a free, in-person discussion at the Mirowitz Center about the center’s work establishing a record of the experiences of Bosnian genocide survivors and their families to counter the hate and discrimination that fueled the war in Bosnia. The initiative also focuses on the estimated 50,000 Bosnian community members in the metro area. St. Louis Mosaic Project Executive Director Betsy Cohen will introduce the speakers, who are appearing as part of the “Fighting Bigotry & Hatred” series. This program is co-sponsored by Mirowitz Center, ADL Heartland, Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, and St. Louis Mosaic Project. Register online at http://bit. ly/Register_MirowitzCenter or call 314-7339813.

THURSDAY | MAY 18

Mirowitz Center book clubs

Librarian Hillary Peppers is facilitating two book club discussions, in person as well as online, on the third Thursday of each month at the Mirowitz Center. The May book is “Now Is Not the Time to Panic” by Kevin Wilson. The online club meets from 10 to 11 a.m. and the in-person group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. Register online at http://bit.ly/ Register_MirowitzCenter or call 314-7339813.

NCJWSTL Lunch & Learn:

Legislative Session Wrap Up

At noon, join NCJWSTL State Policy Advocacy Chair Amy Kuo Hammerman and the Missouri Family Health Council’s Director of Policy and External Affairs Mandy Hagseth for a lunch and learn about this year’s Missouri legislative session. Both have been a constant presence in Jefferson City this session and will provide an insider’s view on what happened in the Missouri Capitol this year. Visit bit.ly/May23LnL to register for the May Lunch and Learn. For more information, email Jen Bernstein at jbernstein@ncjwstl. org or call 314-993-5181

FRIDAY | MAY 19

‘Who Is the God We Meet on Mt. Sinai?’

In preparation for Shavuot, the holiday that recalls the revelation of God on Mt. Sinai, the Jewish Mindfulness Center at Shaare Emeth will explore old and new metaphors of God based on Rabbi Toba Spitzer’s book, “God is Here.” Class will take place outside under the Pavilion at Congregation Shaare Emeth, weather permitting. To register, email Stacy Jespersen at SJespersen@ sestl.org. Shaare Emeth’s Rubin Library does have copies of the book, though pre-reading of the book is not required to attend and enjoy this class.

SATURDAY | MAY 20

CRC Open House

Immediately following Shabbat morning services, Central Reform Congregation will hold an open house in CRC’s multipurpose room. Join the CRC board, staff and rabbis for a fun afternoon of games, carnival performers and opportunities to learn more about CRC programs and membership. Find more details at www.centralreform.org/ events/crc-open-house/.

Maxwell Greenberg to discuss Jewish pioneer cemeteries

See related news brief on page 5.

SUNDAY | MAY 21

Opera discussion at Kol Rinah

At 7:30 p.m. Kol Rinah Women’s Social Group presents a discussion by Opera The-

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. MAY email Alec Rothman at arothman@ncjwstl. org or call 314-993-5181.

On May 16, Crown Center will visit the Chihuly exhibit at the Missouri Botanical Gardens.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 24

Crown Center presents: Eimear Arkins concert and happy hour

At 4 p.m. Irish singer Eimear Arkins comes to Crown for the first time to share her beautiful voice and violin skills. Enjoy an appetizer and mocktail while you are transported to the green hills of Ireland. All are welcome. RSVP to 314-991-2055.

Tech Tutor Computer Lab: Learn a new language with Duolingo atre of St. Louis docent Phyllis Hyken of “Tosca” by Puccini. Although written more than a century ago, Tosca remains relevant to the political struggles and gender power dynamics of the 21st century.

Blood drive in memory of Ari

Dougan

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the community is welcomed to take part in a blood drive in honor of Ari Dougan, sponsored by Aish HaTorah and Congregation Shaare Emeth, and held at Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road in Creve Coeur. To register, call 800733-2767 or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter AriDougan.

MONDAY | MAY 22

Annual Mark Raiffie Memorial Lecture with Rabbi Ken Spiro

At 7 p.m. Aish will present the annual Mark Raiffie Memorial Lecture, featuring Rabbi Ken Spiro, who will discuss “Universalism vs Particularism: The Jewish Perspective.” Guests can stay after the talk for a dessert reception. The event is sponsored in loving memory of Mark Raiffie by his family, and will be held at the Aish Firehouse, 357 N. Woods Mill Road, in Chesterfield. For more information, call 314-862-2474 or email Rabbi Shmuel Greenwald at sgreeenwald@ aish.com.

Crown Center presents: Rabbi Smason discussion series

At noon at Crown Center, Rabbi Ze’ev Smason will continue his monthly discussion series “Living Your Best Life: Ways to Jewish Wisdom.” The May discussion theme is “Seek the Ultimate Happiness.” Call 314991-2055 for more information.

TUESDAY | MAY 23

Big Muddy Dance Company at Mirowitz Center

From 1 to 2 p.m. the Big Muddy Dance Company returns the Mirowitz Center for a free performance. Register online at http:// bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter or call 314733-9813.

TUESDAY | MAY 23

NCJWSTL Coffee Talk: Amy Fenster Brown and Jordan Palmer

Join NCJWSTL at 8:30 a.m. for its latest coffee talk, this month looking at the subject of journalism. Two St Louis personalities will engage in lively discussion about television, radio and print media in our community and beyond. Brown is an account executive with Morris Media Network and writes a St Louis Jewish Light column. Jordan Palmer is the Chief Digital Content Director for the Jewish Light. The coffee talk will be pre-recorded at the newly opened Lefty’s Bagels. Visit bit.ly/ May23CT to register. For more information,

The Mirowitz Center’s Tech Tutor series continues with a presentation on the language learning app Duolingo, from 2 to 3 p.m. Participants will be provided a Chromebook computer during this program to follow along with the instructor. Tech Tutor is supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged. Free. Register online at http://bit.ly/Register_ MirowitzCenter or call 314-733-9813.

WED. | MAY 24 & 31

Three-part webinar series looks at ‘Sex and Judaism’

Shaare Emeth 20s and 30s and MaTovu invite the community to join Rabbi Nikki DeBlosi for an open-minded, queer-inclusive, personally relevant exploration of Jewish ideas about sex, sexuality and relationships. Sign up at https://sestl.co/nikki to attend the classes. Open to the community. The webinars began May 10 and continue May 24 (“The Torah of Sex”) and May 31 (“Relationship Goals and Problematic Faves”).

THURSDAY | MAY 25

Colon cancer prevention

Dr. Jean Wang of Washington University School of Medicine will lead a free, online Mirowitz Center discussion from 10 to 11 a.m. about colon cancer risk factors, symptoms and prevention. Register online at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter or call 314-733-9813.

SUNDAY | MAY 28

Jewish War Veterans plan Memorial Day Ceremony

Jewish War Veterans, Post 644, St. Louis will conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. in the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. The ceremony will honor those St. Louisans who died in past wars as well as veterans who passed away in 2022. The program will feature an address by Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council. The program will also include the National Anthem, El Molai Rachamim and God Bless America Led by Cantor/Rabbi Ronald Eichaker of United Hebrew Congregation. The Ted and Rachael Pevnik Family Scholarship and the Chuck Sandroff Scholarship will be presented.

Ongoing

Tai Chi at Crown Center kol rinah

Join Crown Center on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. for a Tai Chi class with physical therapist and Oasis instructor Jo Ann Roberts. The exercises aim to relieve pain, reduce stress and decrease fall risk, while improving balance, muscular strength and coordination. The cost is $2 per class. RSVP to Crown Center at 314-991-2055.

Visionary Event Honoring Michael Staenberg

Kol Rinah honored Michael Staenberg during an art-themed fundraiser April 16. The event recognized Staenberg’s “generous commitment of time, support and inspiration that helped us create and enhance this magnificent facility [the new Kol Rinah building] that will serve our community today and for generations to come.”