Jewish Light Digital Edition: May 22, 2024

SEE PAGES 17-29

students from Mirowitz

on stage

For a gallery of images,visit stljewishlight.org/multimedia. ALL PHOTOS: BILL

Remembrance & Celebration

St. Louis remembers hostages, fallen soldiers, on Israel’s Memorial Day, and celebrates on Israeli Independence Day

Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) was commemorated in a solemn ceremony on Sunday, May 12, at the JCC’s Staenberg Family Complex. Members of the community filled the audience to capacity to remember fallen Israeli soldiers. The event was particularly meaningful coming six months after the Hamas attack on Israel. In addition to the prayer for soldiers of the IDF, the program included a special prayer for the hostages. The entrance to the auditorium also included a simulation of the Bibas family home in Israel, where the Yarden family was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7. For a gallery of images,visit stljewishlight.org/multimedia. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN

READ MORE INSIDE

Israeli scouts spent 10-days in St. Louis, staying with local Jewish host families, visiting Jewish schools and strengthening the community’s ties to Israel. See story on page 6.

Above, the St. Louis Yom Ha’atzmaut Israel Independence Day gathering was held Tuesday evening, May 14 at the Chesterfield Amphitheatre. A festive crowd of more than 300 enjoyed music, food, games and fellowship during a mostly rain-free evening. Highlights were a dance routine by students from Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School and a performance by Israeli singer Yuval Halaf. Clockwise from top left,

perform

during the event; Rabbi Mike Rovinsky of Jewish Student Union hands out popcorn to guests; Yuval Halaf performs.

MOTCHAN

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CANDLE LIGHTING TIMES

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

• June 5

• June 19

• July 10

• July 24

• Aug. 7

• Aug. 21

• Sept. 11

• Sept. 25

• Oct. 9

• Oct. 23

• Nov. 6

• Nov. 20

• Dec. 4

• Dec. 18

Shabbat begins Friday, May 24: 7:57 p.m.

Shabbat ends Saturday, May 25: 9:02 p.m.

Torah reading: Behar

Shabbat begins Friday, May 31: 8:02 p.m.

Shabbat ends

YOU BY

Saturday, June 1: 9:08 p.m.

Torah reading: Bechukotai

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

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

PUBLISHER'S STATEMENT

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 GENEROUSLY

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

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.

Service and sacrifice

The legacy of Roz lives on

For many people, Memorial Day weekend signals the official start of summer. School’s out, swimming pools open and temperatures heat up.

But Memorial Day — the actual day — honors fallen service members of the U.S. military. It’s not about school or pools or warm weather, it’s about paying homage to those who fought for our country and lost their lives in the process.

I’ll admit I never much contemplated what Memorial Day stands for until 15 years ago, when I – along with 1,300 others — attended the funeral of Air Force 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, who was killed in May of 2009 by a roadside bomb near Kabul, Afghanistan. She was 25 years old, and the first female USAFA graduate to be killed in action in the global war on terrorism.

Roslyn “Roz” Schulte is the daughter of Robert and Susie Schulte of Ladue; the family has long belonged to Congregation Temple Israel and Roslyn was confirmed there. It was also on Memorial Day in 2009 that TI Rabbi

Emeritus Mark Shook presided over her funeral and said, “Memorial Day will never be the same. No one in this place now will ever take Memorial Day for granted again.”

He was so right.

By all accounts, Lt. Schulte was nothing short of extraordinary. I can vividly recall what those who spoke about her said and the positive effect she had on so many. In 2010, Lt. Schulte achieved an impressive first posthumously in becoming the first woman to be awarded the National Intelligence Medal for Valor. Only four others received this honor before her.

In her memory, Lt. Schulte’s parents championed an award that is given each year since her death to a first-class cadet who embodies the values their daughter lived by: “impeccable character, unwavering leadership and spirit of service.” This year’s 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte Award for Exemplary Cadet

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

Character and Leadership will be given out Tuesday, May 28, at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. Her parents plan to be at the ceremony, as they are every year, to meet the recipient and nominees and their families.

In addition, Lt. Schulte has been memorialized at her high school alma mater, John Burroughs, with a scholarship in her name. The annual Missouri Girls Lacrosse All Star Game is dedicated to her; she was inducted into the Missouri Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2018.

Sometimes when I go to The J, I’ll look over at the memorial plaque near the flagpole in front of the Arts & Education Building that was dedicated in Lt. Schulte’s honor. Even now, 15 years after her passing, Roz Schulte continues to be an inspiration and role model to so many as well

as a reminder of the many Jewish veterans who served our country so valiantly.

Talking about serving our country . . .

I attended a commissioning ceremony on Monday (a week before Memorial Day) for Emily Crews, 35, who was sworn in as a 1st Lt. in the U.S. Army. A critical care nurse, Lt. Crews just completed her first year of a doctoral program at Webster University to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. The ceremony took place at the Brentmoor Retirement Community, where Crews’ 95-year-old grandmother, Elsie Shemin Roth, lives. You could say that the U.S. military runs

Above left, Air Force 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. Above right, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Emily Crews shares a hug with her grandmother, Elsie Shemin Roth.

Torah Prep robotics team reaches world finals

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

“Candy” is a colorful Lego-clad robot about the size of a toaster. She’s small but powerful. That’s also an apt description for her creators, the Torah Prep robotics team.

The group consists of nine teenagers in grades 5 through 8. Last month they accomplished an unlikely feat, advancing to the elite robotics competition known as the 2024 FIRST Championship. The international event is an annual celebration of the arts for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and innovation.

Torah Prep’s robotics team made it to Houston in April for the world championship. To put their accomplishment in perspective, the competition begins with 58,000 teams and 152 qualified for the finals. They were among a handful of allgirl groups in the world championship, and quite likely the only Orthodox Jewish team. Their journey required skill, confidence and a few lucky breaks.

Making it to the finals is highly coveted by robotics teams around the world. The season begins in the fall, but things heat up in January when regional competition is held. Torah Prep’s team took second place and advanced to the state finals, which were scheduled on a Saturday. So the team declined to participate, because flipping the switch to power up Candy would be a prohibition when observing the Sabbath.

Fortunately, the organizers came up with a suitable option: switching to a Friday and modifying the judging.

“They were amazing and wonderful,” said Bella Bloom, the team’s coach. “They embodied all the wonderful qualities of acceptance and promotion of various people. They sent referees to our location. The rest was done on Zoom. And the girls did amazing. They scored enough points to qualify for the national competition.”

During each phase of the competition, teams are judged on robot design, programming and teamwork. They also need to be creative, according to team member Tzivi Glickfield.

“There’s a problem and a theme,” said Tzivi, 13. “You have to come up with a solution within that theme. This year’s theme is art. The solution we came up with was scuba diving, which is very hard to share. So, we came up with an augmented reality scuba diving mask that would project that it’s waterproof. We were also judged on core values. Those are things that the robotics uses to learn and grown from the experience.”

After breezing through the state competi-

tion, there was another hiccup. The national competition in California was also on a Saturday. So, the team declined to participate again. Fortunately, in March, the

Torah Prep team was invited to Jefferson City to compete for the State Cup and they won. They did so well, they qualified for an open slot in the world championship.

Torah Prep’s Cinderella story ended without a win at the world championship.

The girls still felt like winners and were proud of their accomplishment.

“It was really cool and fun to be able to see people from all over the world,” said Chana Sasportas, 14. “It was a little bit intimidating. We walked in and it was like, oh my gosh, because we went from small competition inside of a gymnasium to a huge world championship.”

The squad performed well throughout the competition levels because they were prepared and poised. They also had the benefit of a seasoned coach, who knows the drill after eight seasons. Bloom said the girls did all the heavy lifting.

“They really shine in their teamwork,” Bloom said. “They were on top of things and they work together amazingly well. If

they got stuck, I helped them along. But they built this robot on their own. They programmed the whole thing. They designed all the attachments. They figured out the plan. It was their baby.”

The experience also demonstrated that girls can excel in a field that is predominately male-dominated. Career specialist Zippia reports that only 4% of robotics systems engineers are women. Tzivi Glickfield said she might consider advanced study or possibly a career in robotics.

“My mother works in tech as a software engineer,” she said. “She does have women co-workers, but they’re mostly men. And in the robotics competition, we would go and see different people’s projects, and it would be, boy team, boy team, boy team with one girl, boy team, boy team, boy team.”

Diversity of thought fuels innovation, Bloom said, and a tech field like robotics could benefit from more women engineers.

“Females bring a slightly different angle,” she said. “I think it’s important to have males and females in engineering because when you design a product, you need various angles, various eyes to look at it, and females bring a different perspective.”

Above: The Torah Prep Robotics Team competes in the world championship in Houston. PHOTO COURTESY TORAH PREP Below left: Members of the Torah Prep Robotics Team include (from left) Bella Bloom, Esti Botuck, Chana Sasportas, Tzofia Bloom, Rachelli Goldenhersh, Basya Miller, Nili Schuss, Chaya Kass, Tzivi Glickfield and Malka Rosner. At bottom right, Basya Miller and Candy The Robot. PHOTOS BY BILL MOTCHAN

At left: The Torah Prep Robotics Team takes part in the world championship in Houston.

PHOTO COURTESY TORAH PREP

Jewish veterans group began as way to fight antisemitism after Civil War

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Post 644 was founded in St. Louis nearly 75 years ago. The national JWV organization dates back to 1896. That’s when a group of 63 Jewish veterans from the Civil War sought to counter a series of antisemitic comments about the lack of Jewish participants in military service.

The reality is American Jews have served in the U.S. military in greater proportion than members of the general population. As Memorial Day approaches, the Jewish Light visited with Dr. Monroe Ginsburg, a dentist who served in the U.S. Army from 1981 to 2003 and is the president of the St. Louis Jewish Veterans Memorial Center.

The center is operated by members of JWV Post 644. It recognizes and documents the history of Jewish men and women locally and nationally who served in the U.S. military.

Why is it important to honor and remember Jewish War Veterans?

History tends to repeat itself. Without constant reminders of the military service of Jewish veterans, the same accusations of Jews not providing military support to the U.S. will recur. Military service is a source of pride for the Jewish community, and 27 American Jews have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Civil War up to the Vietnam War.

In the 20th century, what was the motivation for first-and- second-generation Jews to serve in the military?

Many felt military service was a way of paying back the U.S. for accepting them as immigrants as well as being an act of patriotism.

What aspects of JWV Post 644 and the St. Louis Jewish Veterans Memorial Center are important for St. Louisans to know about?

We are largely a service organization. The St. Louis Jewish Veterans Memorial Center maintains a database of the graves of more than 7,500 Jewish veterans in the

Dr. Monroe Ginsburg has been involved with the local Jewish War Veterans chapter since 2005.

UPCOMING EVENT

Jewish War Veterans post plans Memorial Day ceremony

Jewish War Veterans Post 644 will hold its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. May 26 at the St. Louis KaplanFeldman Holocaust Museum. Rabbi Ze’ev Smason will be the keynote speaker and JWV will present The Chuck Sandroff Scholarship and Ted and Rachel Pevnick Family Scholarship will be presented. Free and open to the community

our members have never served overseas. We welcome all Jewish military veterans from all branches of military service. We have several levels of membership for Jewish veterans, but we also offer a non-veteran option called a “patron.” Patrons are often family members of veterans. The post is inclusive and welcoming to all who want to support our veterans.

seven local Jewish cemeteries. We update the database every year. It’s a significant effort and we always welcome volunteers to help out. We also purchase American flags every year, which St. Louis area Boy Scouts place at Jewish veterans’ graves.

JWV Post 644 presents two scholarships annually to Jewish graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in a trade school or college.

Are there specific requirements for veterans to join the post?

Many people assume membership in JWV requires military service in a combat zone or service overseas. Actually, most of

One of the projects you’re engaged in is developing the St. Louis Jewish Veterans Memorial Center exhibit at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. What is the status of that initiative?

We are currently working with the Holocaust museum staff on a formal agreement regarding the use of space and how we can best use and display our artifacts. The Holocaust museum is also providing archival assistance, which will be very useful in adapting the material we have to optimize its impact. We are hoping to finalize the exhibit and open it to the public by early 2025.

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.

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Israeli scouts visit with kids, strengthen ties in St. Louis

BY BILL MOTCHAN

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Kindergarten students at United Hebrew Congregation learned the Hebrew song “L’Dod Mosha hayta chava” on Monday, May 13. The English version is “Uncle Moshe Had A Farm” and it is nearly identical to the Old McDonald version most Americans remember from childhood. The singalong was led by a group of visiting Israeli scouts from the Yokneam Region.

“It was really cute,” said Adi Kolin, 16, one of the Israeli scouts. “We taught them how to say the animals in Hebrew. They had a really good time.”

The 10-day visit to St. Louis is intended to strengthen the connection between Israel and the local Jewish community, according to Merav Gleit, treasurer of the St. Louis Israeli scout chapter. Both groups participated in the events com-

memorating Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut. The visitors from Yokneam stayed with local Jewish host families.

Roni Levy and Noel Naor led the Israeli scout delegation. Levy said, “We

At left, Roni Levy and Noel Naor led the group of Israeli scouts that spent 10 days in St. Louis. At top, Israeli scouts take part in the Yom Ha’atzmaut celebration May 14 at the Chesterfield Amphitheatre.

PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

came here to study the St. Louis Jewish community. And we also came to tell everybody what happened in Yokneam

NJT continues season with ‘We All Fall Down’

The New Jewish Theatre will perform “We All Fall Down” by Lila Rose Kaplan from May 30 to June 16. Starring long-time NJT collaborator Alan Knoll (“Laughter on the 23rd Floor,” “Broadway Bound”) as Saul Stein and Mindy Shaw (“The Immigrant”) as Linda Stein, this comedy illustrates the joys and heartaches of growing older, growing up and growing to understand the value of tradition. The NJT’s production will be its first in St. Louis, after it made its debut in 2020 at Boston’s Huntington Theatre where it enjoyed a sold-out run.

According to a NJT press release, the play is a hilarious reminder of how culture, personal identity and family are intricately woven. Linda, the brilliant but dramatic matriarch, decides to bring her secular family together for their first-ever Passover seder. But as the night continues and the seder cups are filled, her comic attempts to

See NJT on page 15

‘We All Fall Down’

WHEN: May 30 to June 16. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.

WHERE: New Jewish Theatre’s Wool Studio Theater in the Jewish Community Center’s Arts & Education Building, 2 Millstone Campus Drive

HOW MUCH: $27- $58

MORE INFO: Tickets are available by phone at 314.442.3283 or online at newjewishtheatre.org.

See ISRAELI SCOUTS on page 15

Cast members of NJT’s ‘We All Fall Down.’ PHOTO: ETHAN AYLESWORTH

Governor honors Holocaust survivors, educators

BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. — Missouri

Governor Mike Parson hosted a special Yom HaShoah event May 6 at the governor’s mansion to pay tribute to individuals who work to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive through education and awareness efforts.

Dee Dee Simon, chair of the Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission, explained the purpose of Yom HaShoah.

“We remember the beautiful lives lost, and the potential that never will be fulfilled,” Simon said. “And we celebrate the unimaginable strength, courage, and fortitude of survivors and rescuers. It is common practice to light six candles, representing 6 million murdered Jews. These are the candles you see on the table to my side. May their souls rest in peace.”

Parson addressed the attendees and discussed the legislation he signed into law in July 2022 (the Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission Act) with the goal of educating students about the Holocaust and inspiring a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities.

“I’ll tell you, we shouldn’t have to pass a bill to educate people about the Holocaust,” Parson said. “People should be aware of what happened in our history, in our country, in other countries, and how important Israel is.

“I hope that when I finish out my term as governor, I hope the one thing you realize is that you had an ally here when I was governor and did what I can to make sure I do present a good partnership for Israel and for the state of Missouri and for the Jewish people of this state and how important you are to me.”

Parson then presented a proclamation to Simon, which pledged continuing support to the Missouri Holocaust Education Awareness Commission and its mission and proclaims May 6, 2024 as Holocaust

Remembrance Day in Missouri.

Survivor Gloria Feldman then spoke in a moving account of her vivid memories of growing up during the Holocaust and the horrors of losing loved ones, living in fear, hiding and finally, safe passage after liberation.

“I am speaking today because I must,” Feldman said. “The world needs to hear the truth. I am speaking to you on behalf of the millions who were murdered and will never be able to speak for themselves, for my siblings, grandparents, aunts,

uncles and cousins who were all

dered.

“My family would not have survived without the help of farmers who hid us and who risked their lives,” she said. “If caught, they would have been killed, tortured, and the worst. I was fortunate to survive, but so many did not.”

Following Feldman’s remarks, Simon presented special recognition to Holocaust educators Lolle Boettcher and Dana Humphrey for their ongoing support and work.

mur-

At left, Dee Dee Simon and Gov. Mike Parson at a May 6 Yom HaShoah event at the governor’s mansion in Jefferson City. Above, from left, Rachel Miller, Gov. Mike Parson and Gloria Feldman at the ceremony. PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

Young Israel of St. Louis plans June 5 gala dinner

The Young Israel of St. Louis upcoming Annual Gala Dinner will take place on Wednesday, June 5, at the Clayton Plaza Hotel in Clayton. This year’s event will honor long-standing members Dr. Hilton and René Price for their many years of dedication and service to the shul and community. Additionally, Elie and Aliza Freilich will be awarded the prestigious Keter Shem Tov Award for their exceptional contributions to the community.

Hilton and René Price have been integral members of the shul community for over four decades, serving in various leadership roles, including past presidency and board membership. Hilton, a renowned radiologist, has served as Chief of Radiology at Christian Hospital for 28 years and continues to practice at Washington University’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. René, with a master’s in counseling, has worked at Meramec Community College and has been an active member of the Women’s Division and numerous community organizations. Together, they have raised three children and are proud parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

Dr. Elie and Aliza Freilich, recipients of the Keter Shem Tov Award, are being recognized for their extraordinary commitment to Torah, tefillah, chesed, and leadership. Elie, an oral surgeon at Mid America Oral Surgery, and Aliza, a financial ana-

lyst advisor at Express Scripts, have quickly become an integral part of the Young Israel family since moving to St. Louis in 2019. They are proud parents of two young children.

Rabbi Moshe Shulman of Young Israel praised the Prices, saying, “Hilton and René have been at the heart of our shul community for many years. They are deeply respected by all members of the community, and by all ages! Their love for Israel and the Jewish people is particularly

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significant this year, as they begin their preparations to make aliyah. This is our chance to thank them for all they have given to St. Louis and to Young Israel through the years.”

Max Oppenheimer, president of Young Israel’s Board of Directors, praised the Freilichs, saying, “They represent the core values of Young Israel of St. Louis. They are a powerhouse couple that bring infinite energy wherever they go. We are just fortunate that they share that energy

with our shul.”

The Gala Dinner, chaired by Jonty and Juli-Ann Felsher, promises to be a memorable evening, celebrating the honorees and awardees. The event will feature a tribute journal, chaired by Judy Haber and Elissa Schachter, recognizing the contributions of the honorees and awardees. For more information and to reserve your spot at this special event, please contact the shul office at 314-727-1880 or email: info@ youngisrael-stl.org

Young Israel of St. Louis will honor Dr. Hilton and René Price (above) and Elie and Aliza Freilich (right) during the congregation’s June 5 gala at the Clayton Plaza Hotel.

How marketing maven Brian Feit is making waves with celebrities and St. Louis students

BY MEGAN RUBENSTEIN

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Brian Feit is a Parkway Central and Camp Sabra alum, his go-to gift is a tree in Israel and his New York City home is a converted synagogue. He started his company with friends from his Jewish fraternity at the University of Illinois. He also works with some of the biggest celebrities in the world.

And in his “down time,” he returns to native St. Louis to mentor Webster Groves High School students through an entrepreneurship program the district established to help students, “Shape a future where innovation thrives.”

Twenty years ago, Feit created his strategic marketing agency, BMF, with the idea of connecting music artists with top brands in travel and tourism, fashion and beauty, hospitality, luxury, wine and spirits, entertainment and streaming services, among others. The agency employs around 75 people in various creative fields. Recently, BMF helped produce the launch of Beyonce’s new haircare brand

“It’s been quite a journey,” Feit, 45, said. “We have a really great reputation in the industry, and we’ve grown a lot.”

Feit’s success ties back to growing up in St. Louis, where he was an only child and often spent time in his art room writing his initials —BMF -- and later the name of his company, all over his projects.

“I was a fan of Madonna growing up. I watched ‘Truth or Dare’ (the Madonna documentary), and I saw her manager in the movie and I was like, wait, I’m not going to be a pop star, but I want to be in the music business,” Feit said. “So my stepdad bought me a copy of Billboard, and I started reading Billboard from (age) 13 on.”

Feit worked at the former Musicland record store in Chesterfield, interned at radio station Y-98 and was on the Mercury Records College Street Team. He attended the University of Illinois for two years, and while he was there, he spent time writing letters to various music industry CEOs expressing an interest in the music business and inquiring about internships. One lucky day, a response came in the mail from renowned music producer Clive Davis, who started Arista Records and is credited with launching the careers of Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, and so many more.

“Clive Davis wrote back to me saying he was impressed with my resume and that I could come intern for him. So, I transferred to NYU for my junior and senior year,” said Feit. “It’s kind of incredible that Clive wrote back. He is, by far and away, the best, most legendary music executive that there ever will be.”

Upon interning for Davis’ Arista Records and graduating from NYU, Feit’s first job was at a small record label called E-magine Records. After a few years there, he debated between going to law school or starting his own company. After getting an opportunity to work on a side project for Madonna’s label, Maverick Records, he decided that officially launching BMF would be his next move.

“I’m very glad I did BMF,” Feit said. “Celebrating 20 years and thinking about the body of work over the last 20 years is mind-boggling, and I’m really, really proud of it.”

Feit and his team started the business by creatively packaging an artist’s CDs and sending them to brands. When Valentino

got ahold of one of Feit’s bands’ CDs, the luxury fashion brand reached out to work with BMF.

“Valentino ended up asking us to plan the event, which was a rock concert at Bergdorf Goodman featuring the band,” said Feit. “We planned the catering, the audio visual and from there we turned into an event company.”

Soon after, BMF created a successful “music lounge” program, which ran during music festivals. It was a place where artists, when they weren’t on stage, could relax, interact with brands and attend exclusive brand parties.

“Everybody was catering to the movie stars with gifting lounges during the Oscars and all that, but who was taking

care of the music artists when they weren’t on stage? So, we created the Music Lounge program,” Feit continued. “The first one we did was in Chicago at Lollapalooza, and we took over the Hard Rock Hotel. The program ran for 11 years.”

The music lounge also incorporated invite-only performances by artists before they made it big — Ke$ha, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, to name a few. BMF’s Raleigh Hotel for Armani Exchange Music Lounge during the 2008 Winter Music Conference in Miami was actually Lady Gaga’s first live performance ever in the United States.

“It was the place to be. We would get almost as much press attention as the actual festival,” Feit said. “Brands really started to wake up to sponsoring music

festivals after that.”

Since the impact of the music lounge, BMF has continued to work with artists but has also moved into other areas.

“We’ve evolved into four things, events, strategy, PR and digital social. And we work with amazing brand clients, everyone from Spanx to Lamborghini, Gucci to Disney.” Feit’s current home base is in Miami, but over the last several years, he has spent time giving back to St. Louis students through the THRIVE Entrepreneurship Incubator, a program of the Webster Groves School District. The students travel to New York City, and Feit makes visits to the school back home in St. Louis, as well.

Brian Feit, co-founder of the social marketing agency BMF, pictured with Thrive students in front of Webster Groves High School.

PHOTO: URSULA RUHL/WEBSTER KIRKWOOD TIMES

See BRIAN FEIT on page 15

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.

Phyllis Langsdorf will be installed as the next president of National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis (NCJWSTL) on June 6 at Temple Emanuel. She has been a long-time volunteer with the organization.

The Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis honored Marty Oberman with the 2024 Peggy Nelson Esperanza Award at the CSCSTL Steps for Hope walk. A CSCSTL board member for over 30 years, he has held numerous leadership roles, including board chair from 2000-2003. Oberman is vice president of Wealth Management with Raymond James and is a member of United Hebrew Congregation.

Josiah Schmidt is a new history and genealogy specialist at the St. Louis County Library. His responsibilities include helping patrons access the many free genealogical and historical resources with a one-on-one session, delivering presentations and programs on various aspects of conducting research, caring for the collections of books and microfilms, coding software for the history labs and writing historical/genealogical articles for the library’s monthly publication. A member of Central Reform Congregation, Schmidt will office out of the new Clark Family Branch on Lindbergh, opening on July 9.

Brad Hartman is the new executive chef of the St. Louis Jewish Community Center system. He is responsible for all aspects of the nutrition program and food service including menu creation, hands-on cooking, production planning and product procurement. All cooking takes place at the Staenberg location until the full kosher kitchen is open at the Fox building. Hartman also plans and executes internal and outside kosher catering to the greater St. Louis community. He is a member of Central Reform Congregation.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology announced a newly endowed named lectureship in honor of Dr. Raymond Slavin, emeritus professor of internal medicine and microbiology and emeritus director of allergy and immunology at St. Louis University School of Medicine. His lectureship will be delivered for the next five years through 2029. A member of Central Reform Congregation, Slavin, who is in his

90s, continues to see patients and teach in an inner-city clinic in St. Louis.

Dr. Gil Vardi was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 2024. Castle Connolly is a leading research and information resource for patients looking to find and connect with the best healthcare in their communities across all 50 states and all major specialties.

St. Louis-area journalist Ray Hartmann is running for the 2nd Congressional District seat held by Republican Ann Wagner. Hartmann announced on Thursday he’s entering the Democratic primary, where he’ll face John Kiehne.

Lisa Johnson’s book, “A Letter to My Family: A Journey through Persecution in Nazi Germany, Refuge in Shanghai and New Life in

of an ordinary German Jewish family

from Nazi persecution to Shanghai in 1939, and on to post-war life in St. Louis. The story is told in the narrative form of a diary-like letter to the current living family from the refugee father, the family he did not live to meet. It is composed by Johnson out of transcriptions of original German documents and letters, all based on actual events. She and child survivor Gittel Burns will be at Eden Seminary on July 14, where Burns will share her testimony.

account

who fled

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Phyllis Langsdorf, Marty Oberman, Josiah Schmidt and Brad Hartman. SECOND ROW: Dr. Raymond Slavin, Dr. Gil Vardi, Ray Hartmann and Lisa Johnson. AT RIGHT: Gittel Burns.

OPINIONS

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

Jewish burial: Sacred kindness

BY RABBI ZE’EV SMASON

Fourteen years ago, I received an unusual phone call. The call was from a nun. Sister Mary called to tell me that Dale, a Jewish man who was a student of mine, had suddenly passed away at the age of 45. She asked if I could assist her in raising enough money to pay for his cremation.

Judaism strictly prohibits cremation. At that moment several thoughts raced through my mind. I certainly couldn’t participate in assisting with a cremation. If I were to decide to become involved, what were the chances that I could convince Sister Mary and Dale’s ex-wife that Dale should be given a Jewish burial and not cremated? And even if I managed to convince them, how could I possibly come up with thousands of dollars needed to pay for a burial?

Before sharing what happened, I’d like to discuss the importance of Jewish burial. Much of the following is taken or adapted from “Last Kindness,” a nonprofit dedicated to helping every Jew choose and receive Jewish burial (LastKindness.org).

The Torah teaches that every Jew, no matter how “Jewish” they lived — or did not live — has the right to be buried as a Jew. Burial is how the Torah teaches every human being should be cared for when they die. Burial is an act of kindness and respect. It’s a kindness to the soul and body of the deceased,

it’s a kindness to the planet, and it’s a kindness to the remaining loved ones as well.

Remember the respectful treatment Queen Elizabeth’s body received? You deserve no less. Really. Blue blood doesn’t make a bit of difference at the end. Every human body should be treated with respect — both in life and in death. The human body is sacred, having housed the soul, and should be treated as such.

Our heritage as Jews matters, and having a Jewish burial tells the world you are proud of it. The primary reason we choose burial is that it’s a mitzvah to bury the dead. A direct reference to burial can be found in Genesis: “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (3:19) Torah and traditional Jewish law are replete with references to the importance of providing burial for every human being. Although having a grave provides closure and comfort to remaining loved ones, even if no one will ever visit the grave, burial has intrinsic value for the deceased. There is no greater example of this than Moses, the greatest Jewish leader of all time who was buried by G-d Himself and G-d vows that no one will ever visit his grave.

Jewish afterlife-care is particularly gentle and kind in its treatment. Throughout the entire process, care for the body is carried out quietly, gently, and with great reverence, recognizing the body as the sacred

creation it is. And traditional Jewish burial is eco-friendly. It uses a simple pine coffin, biodegradable shrouds and absolutely no chemicals. The body decomposes gradually and becomes one with the earth.

On a spiritual level, Jewish burial is an act of kindness to the departed soul. Our body isn’t our true essence our soul is — and it lives forever. Yet the soul remains with the body even after the two are separated at death. The soul still feels connected to the body and is sensitive to how its lifelong partner is being treated.

Why not opt for cremation? Cremation is not only an act of violence against the deceased, which pains the soul, but it actually severs the connection between the body and soul, causing the soul eternal pain. Additionally, we don’t burn things we love. As an 11-year-old boy I remember when my pet turtle died. I lovingly placed it in a shoebox, and gently bid it farewell in a backyard funeral service. If anyone would have mentioned throwing the remains of my beloved pet into a bonfire, I would have been appalled. We love our pets. And by magnitudes difficult to measure, we love our dear relatives.

To return to the story with which I began: I told Sister Mary that according to Jewish law, Jews have to be buried. She paused, and said, “ ‘Rabbi, I agree with that!’ I called Dale’s ex-wife, who said she would be grate-

ful if a Jewish burial could be arranged. I called the director of a local Jewish funeral home who said, ‘Rabbi, see how much money the family can afford. We’ll do the funeral, regardless, and I’ll do what I can to get a cemetery to donate a plot.’”

The ceremony was most unusual. There was a rabbi and a nun. But more significantly, there was kindness and generosity. Dale’s family and many members of the Jewish community were in attendance. This was appropriate, I felt, because Dale was a kind and generous man. He was not a man who went to synagogue. Nor was he an observant Jew. But Dale was a proud Jew and was buried like a Jew.

Traditional Jewish burial is kinder to your body, kinder to the planet, kinder to your relatives, and kinder to your soul. And as Jews, traditional Jewish burial connects us to our glorious 3300-year heritage, as well as connecting us to our Jewish mothers and fathers throughout the ages who lived as Jews and who died as Jews.

But when there’s a real genocide, they’re silent

BY RAFAEL MEDOFF JEWISH JOURNAL

Across the country, angry protesters have been blocking highways, heckling political leaders and setting up tent encampments on college campuses, all to protest a non-existent genocide.

But when a real genocide is unfolding, nobody’s interested.

New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof reported last week that genocide appears to be erupting again in the Sudanese region of Darfur. “Some of the same Arab forces responsible for the genocide in the 2000s are picking up where they left off,” Kristof writes. “They are massacring, torturing, raping and mutilating members of non-Arab ethnic groups—the same victims as before—while burning or bulldozing their villages.”

There’s an unmistakable racist element to the persecution, Kristof emphasizes: “Arab militias mock their victims as ‘slaves’ and taunt them with racial epithets—the non-Arabs are often darker skinned. The militants seem to be trying to systematically eliminate non-Arab tribes from the area.”

It’s actual genocide—mass atrocities, motivated by racism, in a region where over 200,000 people were slaughtered just 20 years ago. Yet all the activists who have been yelling at Israel suddenly seem to have lost their voices. Why?

A clue may be found in a troubling episode that took place back in 2010. That year, the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, publicly praised Sudanese president

Omar al-Bashir, who was under indictment by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity in Darfur. In a letter to Bashir, Abbas wrote that he had “complete faith in [Bashir’s] wisdom,” and pledged “complete willingness to stand with Sudan in everything it wants and in the way it wants.”

My colleagues and I at the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies thought it might make an impression on Abbas if he were to receive a letter of protest from American Jews who had been active in supporting the campaign for a Palestinian state. Perhaps he would take them seriously, since they had been so helpful in promoting his cause.

We contacted thousands of potential signatories. Not one official of any Jewish peace organization was willing to sign. One prominent figure replied that he was “too busy” to look into the matter. Others refused to join on the grounds that such a protest would embarrass Abbas and therefore could hurt the chances for creating a Palestinian state.

In the end, just 19 peace activists agreed to sign. Nineteen. Out of thousands. For the rest, even Abbas’s embrace of a perpetrator of genocide was excusable. All that mattered to them was protecting Abbas’s public image.

The organizers of today’s protests over Gaza likewise seem much more interested in their narrow agenda than the lives and rights of human beings, whether in Darfur or even in Gaza. If they really cared about Gazans, they would have been protesting

against Hamas’s fascist dictatorship years ago. The only reason they’re yelling about Gaza now is that it’s an opportunity to yell at Israel.

That’s why they won’t be setting up tent cities for Darfur any time soon. The Darfurians who are being “massacred, tortured, raped and mutilated” have the misfortune of being victims of Arab persecution— and for the demonstrators on American campuses, talking about Arab persecutors might distract from all the negative attention they have helped focus on Israel. For the same reason, don’t expect any of the campus protesters or highway-blockers to take an interest in any other struggles for “self-determination”—such as that of the people of New Caledonia, a French colony near Australia. The New York Times reported last week that the indigenous people of New Caledonia are demanding self-determination, but France refuses. The French don’t want to give up an island they have been exploiting for the past 170 years. It’s literally a case of white colonialists suppressing the self-determination of darkskinned native people. Yet all the American campus protesters who supposedly oppose colonialism are silent—because speaking out for self-determination for the New Caledonians won’t hurt Israel.

Dr. Rafael Medoff is founding director of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies. His commentary was originally published by The Jewish Journal and was distributed by JNS.org.

It’s not just Darfur and New Caledonia. How about Saudi Arabia? The same day’s Times also reported that the Biden administration is still trying to negotiate an agreement that would give Saudi Arabia nuclear power and create a Palestinian state. Just four years ago, President Joe Biden said the Saudi regime should be treated as a “pariah” because it dismembered one of its leading critics. And last summer, the Times reported that the Saudis had massacred hundreds of African migrants—and that the Biden administration tried to cover up when it learned of the killings. You would think that the campus protesters would be outraged about that. Not so. They call the president “Genocide Joe” only if it hurts Israel. Covering up Saudi massacres and mutilations doesn’t hurt Israel—in fact, ignoring Saudi atrocities might facilitate a deal with the Saudis that would create a Palestinian state. So once again, the campus activists have nothing to say.

A final word on this tragic state of affairs, from Danielle Haas, a senior official of Human Rights Watch, who recently resigned out of disgust at that organization’s extreme anti-Israel bias. After 13 years as editor of its annual reports, she came to the conclusion that HRW’s outrage “depends not on human-rights principles, but on who is being abused and who is being accused.” That seems to be true for the tent protesters and highway-blockers, too—as demonstrated by their indifference to the plight of the genocide victims in Darfur, the suppressed people of New Caledonia and the massacred migrants in Saudi Arabia.

Rabbi Ze’ev Smason is chairman of the Coalition for Jewish Values Missouri.

OBITUARIES

SIDNEY L. BRENNER, May 2, 2024

Sidney passed away peacefully at home after a short illness.

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

SANFORD G. FREEMAN, April 30, 2024

Sanford G. Freeman, 90, of Novi, Michigan, died on April 30, 2024.

American Flag symbol denotes a United States military veteran.

Beloved husband of Toby Lerman Brenner for nearly 77 years; father and father-inlaw of Gary (Terri) Brenner, Michael (the late Jo Ann) Brenner, and Scott (Cheryl) Brenner; dear grandfather of Adam (Kandice), Josh, Damon (Cecilia), Jeremy (Lauren), Corey (Amanda), Clayton (Carlye) and Nicole (Aaron); greatgrandfather of Ethan, Evelyn and Evan, Isabella and Victoria, Max and Ari, Paige, Hunter and Jordan, and Savannah, Brynlee and Olivia; dear son of the late Isadore and Sarah Brenner; brother of the late Shirley Goldberg, the late Dorothy Mariam and the late Carol Blinder; beloved uncle, cousin and friend.

Sid grew up in St. Louis and served in the Navy. He had 2 places of employment. Both jobs he loved and excelled at. He was the only grandfather his grandchildren had and he excelled at that too. He is leaving many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as his legacy.

A graveside service was held Sunday May 5, at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Rd. 63017. Memorial contributions preferred to Shriners Children’s Hospital and St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children.

Visit www.bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

JEAN FITTERMAN, May 18, 2024

Beloved wife of the late Bernard Fitterman; dear mother and mother-in-law of Alan Fitterman (Marlene), Robert Fitterman and the late Stefan Fitterman; dear grandmother of Justin Fitterman (Marissa), Lauren Crowe (Bill) and Coco Fitterman; dear great-grandmother of Everett Crowe, Beni Fitterman, and Jonah Fitterman ; dear sister of the late Gertrude Feldman (late Harvey); dear aunt of Charles Feldman (Sheryl) and Robin (William) Seithel; dear great-aunt, cousin and friend.

A graveside service was held Monday, May 20 at 10:30 AM at Chevra Kadisha Cemetery 1601 North & South Rd. University City, MO. Memorial contributions preferred to BJC Evelyn’s House, c/o The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110-1337. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

Beloved husband of 66 years of Faith Freeman. Cherished father of James (Julia) Freeman, Carol (Rick) Grosz, and Richard (Michele) Freeman. Proud grandfather of Justin Freeman, Eric (fiancee Danielle Yoseloff) Freeman, David Kram, Emily Kram, Audrey Freeman, Grace Freeman, Ben Freeman, Jamie (John) Flood, Michael Grosz, and the late Adam Kram. Adoring great-grandfather of Layla Kram, Brayden Kram, and Leo Flood. Also survived by many loving relatives, friends, and a brother.

A funeral service was held Friday, May 3, 2024 at The Ira Kaufman Chapel. 248-569-0020. Interment at Beth El Memorial Park.

LOUIS GLASER passed away peacefully on May 11, 2024, at the age of 93. Born on October 3, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Louis was a devoted husband to his wife, Roberta (Bobbie) Glaser, with whom he shared 67 years of loving marriage. He was a proud father to his sons: Dr. Jeffrey (Joyce) Glaser, Dr. David (Dr. Dee Anna) Glaser, and Dr. Mitchell (Maria) Glaser. Louis’ legacy extends to his grandchildren: Dr. Zachary (Dr. Gabriella Cozzi) Glaser, Dr. Katherine (Dr. Brendan Alleyne) Glaser, Attorney Jason (Sallie) Glaser, Dr. Ella Glaser, Hailey Glaser, and Mateo Glaser, and great-grandfather to Colette Glaser.

Buddy (the late Verna) (the late Pat) Glaser, the late Dorothy (the late Alan) Reiman, Leonard (the late Roz) Glaser, the  late Harvey (Lydia) Friedman, the late Barry (Rachel) Friedman.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Louis’ memory may be made in support of Israel via the Jewish National Fund (https://my.jnf.org/ donate-today/Donate or to a charity of your choice. A graveside service was held Sunday, May 19th at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO 63124.

Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

RUTH YOUNG HYMAN passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, May 17. She would have been 98 on June 7th.

Ruth’s life was filled with art and music. She graduated with a BFA from Washington University’s School of Art in 1947, and then went to work as a commercial artist at Sears. In 1949, she married Herbert Hyman, initiating a life of fun-filled trips, family events, and musical performances. While Herb played swing guitar, Ruth would sing. Ruth loved entertaining and planned great parties that included jam sessions with family and friends.

She became known for her flashy rendition of “Bei Mir Bistu Shein.” Herb passed away in 2013, a month before they would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Ruth used to say that she was “young” (her maiden name) before she married Herb. Humor was one of her passions!

A respected and intelligent lawyer, Louis achieved significant success in his field. He earned his undergraduate degree, business administration degree, and law degree from Washington University. Louis proudly served his country in the Korean War and enjoyed playing golf and tennis. He had a great love for Israel and a tremendous appetite for his wife’s delicious cooking. In later years, he enjoyed living in Arizona with Bobbie. Louis will be remembered for his sharp mind, unwavering dedication to his family, as well as his quick wit and humor. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Louis was brother and brother-in-law to the late Sylvia (the late Sam) Holtzman, the late

While Ruth and Herb’s three children were growing up, Ruth was a freelance commercial artist. She also volunteered as a curator at Craft Alliance. She later co-developed and delivered a course about women artists for the Lifelong Learning Institute. In 2006, at the age of 80, Ruth painted a butterfly mural for a branch of BJC Home Care Services that focused on support for children with cancer.

Ruth’s final residence was the Brentmoor Retirement Community where she made new friends with whom she had fun, shared ideas, and created new memories. She valued her relationships with her sister-like cousins and cousin-like friends. Her days were also brightened by visits with nieces and nephews.

Ruth is survived by her children Wendy Hyman-Fite (Timothy Fite), Lori Diefenbacher (Ron Diefenbacher), and Randy Hyman (Susan Zimmerman), her three grandchildren Rachel Diefenbacher, Erika Mathews (Brian Erickson), and Sóley Hyman, and her two greatgrandchildren Aaron Mathews and Riley Mathews.

A memorial service to celebrate Ruth’s life will be held at a later date.

Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

RONALD L. KRAMER, 01-11-1943 – 05/10/2024

Dear father and father-in-law of Amanda Geraghty (Todd), Susanna Reeves, and Kristina Davis (Charles); dear grandfather of Joey, Quinn, and Tyson Ronald Geherty, Sophia Staten, and Benjamin, Lainie, and Ellie Davis; beloved son of the late Mae and the late Allen Kramer; dear brother and brother-in-law of the late Donald Kramer (the late Elaine), Judy Glaser (the late Harold), and Dr. Dean Kramer (Barbara); dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Ronald Kramer “Ron” was born in University City in St. Louis--the youngest of four children of Mae and Allen Kramer. After graduating from Ladue Horton Watkins High school in 1960, Ron worked his way through college, graduating from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with an Accounting major in 1964. While at U of M, he was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) Fraternity, Editor of the yearbook, and a member of the Druid Honorary Society. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Chicago and started Kramer Products Company, a business that created novelty items with beer and soft drink logos. In 1990, he returned to St. Louis to be close to his family, and started Pro-Med Resources, Inc., creating and publishing updated Advanced Directives to meet state regulatory requirements for medical communities nationwide. Ron had the great fortune of working with several of his stepdaughters for many years, and was able to spend some of the early months and years with his grandchildren who were always welcome at his office.

Early to bed and early to rise, Ron enjoyed routine and loved to work, and always threw the gates wide open for friends and family to swim and visit with him in his backyard pool. He was a true dog-lover, adoring several dogs over his lifetime whom he treated as royalty. Ron became a devoted stepfather/father to his three stepdaughters (and 7 grandchildren), who became the great treasures of his life.

Ron was a good, smart man with simple needs -- who always put family first. He was a first rate son who returned to St. louis to join his siblings in caring for his beloved mom, “Nana;” he was the humble brother who showed up when needed; he was the “cool” uncle who doled out humorous and predictable advice about how to “party” in college to his nieces and nephews; he was the ultimate stepfather who offered help without strings, asked for little in exchange, and held back advice unless it was solicited. In response, he was loved dearly, Ron will be sorely missed by all.

A funeral service was held Sunday, May 19 at Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Boulevard. Memorial contributions preferred to The National Kidney Foundation, 1001 Craig Rd #480, St. Louis, MO 63146.

Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

MARILYN SUE KUNITZ, April 29, 2024

Marilyn passed away peacefully surrounded by family in her beloved hometown of St. Louis. Treasured and devoted wife of Bernard “Bernie” Kunitz for 63 years.  Loving mother of Michelle “Shelley” (Abe) Smith and Brian Kunitz.  Cherished grandmother of Joshua and Esti Smith.  Beloved sister of Don (Joanne) Singer, Larry (Jan) Singer and Marc (Trish) Singer.  Dear sister-in-law of the late Rhoda (Alan) Grimsky.  Cherished daughter of the late Arnold and Esther Singer.  Adored aunt, cousin and friend.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, May 1, at Kol Rinah, 7701 Maryland Avenue followed by interment at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road. Live stream available at https://www.kolrinahstl.org/kr-streaming.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Evelyn’s House, C/O The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO 63110. A Rindskopf-Roth Service

DR. RAM LEVY, a revered chemist, father and grandfather, known for his intellectual curiosity, amiable demeanor, and profound love for Israel, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2024, at the age of 91.

OBITUARIES INDEX

OBITUARIES

Brenner, Sidney L. Fitterman, Jean

Freeman, Sanford G. Glaser, Louis

Hyman, Ruth Young

Born in 1932 in Bulgaria, Ram, his parents, and sister, Etti, survived the Holocaust and immigrated to Israel in 1948, at the birth of the new nation. There he served in the IDF and later graduated from the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. During his tenure in the IDF reserves, he contributed his engineering skills to develop innovative defense mechanisms for Israel’s borders. Ram’s profound love for Israel and its heritage was evident throughout his life, as he advocated for its preservation and celebration.

Ram’s career as a chemist at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft was distinguished by groundbreaking research, notably the development of temperature and pressuresensitive polymer paints for supersonic wind tunnel tests, which revolutionized aircraft design evaluation and saved the United States millions annually.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ram was cherished for his warmth and generosity. He supported his family’s educational endeavors and formed enduring connections with fellow Israelis in St. Louis.

Ram excelled not only in chemistry but also in chess, captivating friends and colleagues with his strategic prowess. His storytelling ability endeared him to many, and he relished opportunities to engage in conversation and learn from others, whether at scientific conferences or during his favorite leisure pursuit – skiing.

Above all, Ram found immense joy in his family, especially his wife, children, and grandchildren. He documented their lives through his passion for photography, leaving behind cherished memories.

Though he has departed, Ram Levy’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew him. His spirit, intellect, and kindness inspire future generations to pursue their passions with determination and enthusiasm.

Ram is survived by his sister, Odet (Etti) Alon, his children Michal Shalon, Arie and Ron Levy, and his grandchildren Daniel, Rena, Jacob Levy, Tesha, Liam, and Nitan Shalon. He is reunited with his beloved wife, Bilha. May his memory be a blessing. Berger Memorial Service

GARY C. LIESS, May 16, 2024

Kramer, Ronald L. Kunitz, Marilyn Sue

Levy, Dr. Ram

Liess, Gary C. Palan, Perry

Resnick, Laura Rich, Ivan Bernard Sachar, Lenora Passer

Sandweiss, Phyllis

Simon, Richard M. Soyfer, Lev Isaakovich

Zatlin, Philip Orville

Zeffren, Shirley

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Humane Society, Jewish Food Pantry, or the Center For Spiritual Living. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for Live Stream and other information. Berger Memorial Service

PALAN, May 16, 2024

Perry Palan was born to Dorothy (Adler) and Michael Palan of University City, Missouri, on Thursday, April 8, 1943. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Pinchas (Paul) Adler. Born with no middle name, he often joked his parents couldn’t afford one. Later he earned the nicknames “Peaches,” for his love of the fruit, “Perfect” for his nature, and P².

Perry, a bright student who excelled in math and science, graduated from University City High School, served a reservist in the U.S. Army, received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1965, and a J.D. from George Washington University in 1970. He worked on the Gemini space program at McDonnell Douglas from 1965 to 1968, and as a Patent Examiner while attending law school in the evening. After law school he started his own law firm, Leitner, Palan, Martin, and later joined Barnes & Thornburg in 1983 and remained a partner there until his retirement in 2010.

Memorial Gardens in Olney, Maryland on Sunday, May 19th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BBYO’s Northern Region East: DC Council in honor of Perry’s leadership and community service: bbyo.org/p2palan

LAURA RESNICK, born January 19, 1947, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024. She was the beloved daughter of the late Jess and Sylvia (Sorkin) Resnick. She is survived by her brothers Alan (Kathy Edrich) Resnick and Perry (Pamela) Resnick; nephews Maxwell (Olivia) Resnick and Peter Resnick; great-nieces Adeline Resnick and Eloise Resnick; and many cousins and friends.

After graduating from University City High School, Laura moved to NYC as a dancer and eventually transitioned to an advertising career. Laura moved back to St Louis and continued in advertising. In the late 1990’s Laura switched careers and found much joy in the “movie business” and eventually became a Senior Regional Publicist for Landmark Movie Theatres.

Laura was a beautiful woman with amazing elegance, grace, and style. She will be fondly remembered as such and missed by those who knew and loved her.

IVAN BERNARD RICH passed away on May 13, 2024 after a long battle with crippling arthritis.  He was 83.  Ivan was a native St. Louis resident.

After graduating from Normandy High School, he joined the US Air Force and worked in restricted communication centers within the Strategic Air Command.  When he completed his service time, Ivan continued his education at the University of Missouri in Columbia earning a Bachelor of Journalism Degree.

He worked nearly eight years in the TV industry, meeting and planning itineraries for many well-known celebrities.  His station promotions won top recognition from the Broadcasters Promotion Association (BPA).

When the economy in the 1970s soured, Ivan turned to the direct mail advertising industry, handling both local and national accounts.  He began as an outside sales representative for ValPak Direct Marketing Systems and was later named the company’s National Marketing Director.  He later served as Operations & National Sales Manager and traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada.  Before his retirement, Ivan worked nearly 4-1/2 years for a division of the Maritz Corporation in Fenton, MO.  He sold incentive/recognition programs to client companies within a five state territory as an Inside Sales rep.

Ivan was an exceptional artist. He won awards for a few of the composite paintings he did while in college at Mizzou. Also, he loved doing pencil drawing/sketches, building model airplanes of vintage military aircraft and he displayed much of his work in his office.

He volunteered for a number of years at the USO at Lampert Airport. His first shift was in March 2013 and his last shift was in June, 2020, for a total of 345 hours. He became inactive as of December, 2022. Friends and family will remember his quick sense of humor.

He was the son of the late Estelle and John Rich of St. Louis.  Ivan is survived by his twin daughters Mindy (Rich) Harris and Marla (Rich) Lamont in Tampa (from his first marriage to Gail Corn). His brother William G. Rich resides in Dallas.  Ivan remarried to wife Doreen ChapaRich of St. Charles, MO.  Ivan was especially proud of grandkids Ava Harris, Noah Harris and Mason Lamont, all in Tampa.

A graveside service was held Thursday, May 16 at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 650 White Road in Chesterfield, MO.  Memorial contributions preferred to the Arthritis Foundation.  Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

Obituaries continue on following page

Beloved husband of Shari Liess; dear father of Benjamin Liess (Angie); Aaron Liess (Eva), Jeremy Liess (Ashley Vogler) and Matt Liess; dear grandfather of Hannah and Jake Liess; dear son of Beverly “Cookie” Liess and the late Milton Liess; dear brother of Sherry Levin (Jeff Jagmin); dear brother-inlaw of Candy Oyler (Arnie Benardette), Wendy Grossman, Cindy Balaban (Mark), Julie Kurutz and David Grossman (Steve Files); loving “dad” of pups Anni and Max; dear uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

Gary loved his family, his dogs, and his gardens. He enjoyed watching the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers. He found an emotional outlet with artistic expression through painting and ceramics. Gary earned his MBA at St Louis University and enjoyed a career in business for over 50 years. He dedicated many hours to community outreach and found solace serving his neighbors and improving the world he lived in. He loved his family above all elseespecially his wife, who he admired and treasured.

Visitation Wednesday, May 22 at 12:30 PM and Funeral Service at 1 PM at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard. Interment follows at Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Road.

Perry met the love of his life, Rubetta Gale Wolff, while attending Hanley Junior High School in University City, Missouri. The two were engaged in 1964, and married in 1965, and had four children they raised in Rockville, Maryland. Perry and Rubetta always made Shabbat dinner every Friday with their kids a priority, as well as their Saturday date nights. Perry and Rubetta enjoyed fine dining and traveling the world over. They particularly enjoyed the annual Turner Classic Movie cruise, as moviegoing was a huge passion of theirs.

Perry maintained close ties with his family, cousins, and friends, as well as the Jewish community. He was a member of Jonas Salk AZA, a part of B’nai Brith Youth Organization, and would later become an advisor to Theodor Herzl AZA, and a member of the adult board in the Washington, D.C. area. He would volunteer his time to many charities, including delivering Passover packages to Soviet immigrants.

His passing is preceded by his beloved wife Rubetta Gale Palan in 2021, daughter Robin Elise in 1971, granddaughter Mia Palan in 2010, halfsister Judy MacDonald in 1997, and son-in-law David Braunstein in 2021. He is survived by his brother Earl Palan and wife Kate, his eldest daughter Felicia Joy Braunstein, sons Stephen Wolff Palan and Michael Jason Palan, daughtersin-law Elizabeth Palan and Sara Palan, and grandchildren Chloe, Skyler, Nina, Owen, and Olive.

Perry, a brilliant man, quiet soul, and extremely thoughtful human being, gave so much of himself to others. He will forever be missed, but the legacy of his kindness will be carried on by those who knew and loved him. A graveside service was held at Judah

We’re proud to serve the friends and families of our Jewish community with personal, compassionate care. You can rely on us to help you create a meaningful memorial that truly honors the life it represents.

PERRY

LENORA PASSER SACHAR, May 13, 1925— May 7,2024

Wife of Alvin Sachar z’l; Daughter of Anna Schneider z’l & Jacob Passer z’l; Mother of Ann (Alan) Spector, Jane (Bob) Brauer & Jerry (Lili) Sachar Grandmother of Dana (Vince) DeBlasi, Kevin (Lisa) Spector, Becky (Dave) Burghauser, Abby Brauer, Michelle Brauer, Hilary (Rich Rebidue) Sachar, James (Allison) Sachar & Brianne (Josh) Noparstak; Greatgrandmother of Jordan & Aaron DeBlasi, Jake & Zoe Spector, Maya & Ella Burghauser, Zach, Elliot & Cece Rebidue, Alvin Sachar & Reese Noparstak.

A graveside service was held Friday, May 10, 2024 at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, 9125 Ladue Road.

Contributions in Lenora’s memory may be made to Crown Center for Senior Living, Congregation Shaare Emeth Caring Committee or the charity of your choice.

Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

PHYLLIS SANDWEISS passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day at the age of 87. She was the daughter of the late Hyman and Sylvia Cytron; beloved wife of 65 years to her middle school sweetheart, the late Marvin Sandweiss; Loving mother to Bruce (Caryn) Sandweiss, Tracy (Paul) Mellring, Steve (Joyce) Sandweiss; Grandma Phoebe to Lauren (Jeremy) Brenner, Jeremy (Stephanie) Levinson, Sydney Levinson, Jacob Sandweiss, Nick, Megan (Aaron Hotzel) and Matthew Mellring, Sarabeth, Nato and Zosia Sandweiss; great grandmother to Max and Ari Brenner, Callie Levinson, Noah Stein and Cooper Hotzel. Sister to Barbara (Norman) Hausfater, the late Mimi (Rick) Schuchet and Margo (Frank)

OBITUARIES

Miskit. Phyllis will be missed by her family and many life-long close friends.

Phyllis was a devoted mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt and great-aunt.  Family and friends were extremely important to her. She loved to entertain and cook, hosting most holidays and special occasions. Phyllis was a happy, bubbly personality who always had a smile on her face. She was always glad to open her home and heart to all of her friend’s children and her children’s friends.

Phyllis worked for more than 35 years for several doctors. She was an avid fitness enthusiast, often walking and speed walking long distances. She spent years playing cards and mahjong with her many friends. She was also fortunate to travel to many places around the world.

A graveside service was held Wednesday, May 15 at Chesed Shel Emeth/Beth Shalom Cemetery, 650 White Road, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Live stream available at www. rindskopfroth.com

A special thanks to the caring staff at Dolan Memory Care. Contributions can be made to TASK (tasksports.org) 980 Horan, Fenton, MO 63026; TREE House of Greater St. Louis (thstl. org) 332 Stable Lane, Wentzville, MO 63385 or a charity of your choice.

A Rindskopf-Roth Service

RICHARD M. SIMON, July 27, 1943 - May 9, 2024, was a beloved brother and brother-in-law of Florine Bender Marks and Hank Marks; born in St Louis to the late Leon and Rose Simon; loving father of Jonathan Simon and Noah Simon (Julie Daniels); adored grandfather of Rose Simon; beloved uncle of Lisa Bender (Jeff Mermelstein) and Howard Bender (Kathie Bender); great uncle to Wolf Mermelstein, Rabbi Hannah Bender, and Juniper Bender; beloved life partner to Sharon Sterling; and cousin and friend

to many. Graveside services were held Friday, May 10, 2024 in Clarksburg, Maryland at Gan Zikaron Memorial Park.

OBITUARIES INDEX

Richard was born in St. Louis and graduated from U-City High school, where he found and mastered a love of mathematics, cultivated by a 7th grade math teacher. Richard later went to Washington University where he received a Doctoral degree in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science. After a 2-year stint in the Public Health Service in Washington DC, Rich began working at the National Institute of Health, where he spent his entire career. As a biostatistician, Rich became associate director of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, director of the Biometric Research Program, and chief of the Computational and Systems Biology Branch. Rich pioneered many of the statistical methods in cancer clinical trials used today. Additional details of Rich’s scientific accomplishments in biostatistics can be found on the NIH’s and Richard’s website. More so, both of Rich’s sons, Jonathan and Noah, have followed suit, becoming very accomplished scientists.

Besides his work in biostatistics, Rich had other varied interests, including playing many musical instruments, listening to a variety of music, especially bluegrass (which he also loved to dance to). He was an avid sailing enthusiast, having learned when he was a sea scout as a teenager in a troop at Shaare Emeth Temple. He also loved to build furniture and horseback ride.

Rich not only made a significant impact on the world scientifically, but also personally. He was an incredibly kind, thoughtful man with no pretenses about him. He had a keen, cutting sense of humor that kept on going. Rich never stopped asking questions and cared deeply about the activities and lives of his family, friends, and colleagues. His heart will never be forgotten.

Brenner, Sidney L. Fitterman, Jean Freeman, Sanford G. Glaser, Louis Hyman, Ruth Young Kramer, Ronald L. Kunitz, Marilyn Sue Levy, Dr. Ram Liess, Gary C. Palan, Perry

Resnick, Laura Rich, Ivan Bernard Sachar, Lenora Passer

Sandweiss, Phyllis Simon, Richard M. Soyfer, Lev Isaakovich

Zatlin, Philip Orville

Zeffren, Shirley

LEV ISAAKOVICH SOYFER, 05/23/1932 –04/19/2024

Lev Isaakovich Soyfer passed away on April 19, 2024. Dear Father to Igor (Anna) Soyfer. Beloved grandfather of Isabella, Samuel and Jacob Soyfer. Lev was born in Ukraine, to Isaak and Bella Soyfer.  When Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union in 1941, Lev and his mother evacuated by train to the city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The train journey took several weeks, the train was bombed, and Lev almost got separated from his mother at the age of 8.  Lev’s father, Isaak, was enlisted into the Soviet army and went to the front lines as a war journalist.  Few months after arriving in Tashkent the family received notice that he was “lost in action”.

Lev and his mother remained in Tashkent, where she worked as a doctor.  After he graduated from high school, he was accepted into Tashkent State University to study psychology, which became his life’s work and greatest passion.  He later became a professor there and enjoyed teaching students and conducting research on how humans perceive time and space.  Lev married his first wife Bella and they had a son, Igor.  When Igor was 13 years old, Bella passed away and Lev raised his son on his own with the support of family.  In 1994, Lev moved to St. Louis with his son and his second wife, Mila.  While he was officially retired, he continued his research on his own and enjoyed discussing his work and collaborating with several professors at Washington University of St. Louis.  Lev remained a devoted father and later became a loving grandfather to his three grandchildren.  He wrote a children’s book for his granddaughter and always presented their birthday greetings as short poems.  He always strived to stay abreast of new developments, showed interest in the latest technology and liked to spend time in the company of young people discussing science and current events. In lieu of flowers, contributions are preferred

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to a charity of your choice to support the people of Israel.

Services were held at Chevra Kadisha Cemetery in University City. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. Berger Memorial Service

PHILIP ORVILLE ZATLIN, husband of Carole Zatlin for 74 years, died on May 5. He was 98.

Born in St. Louis in 1926, he was the son of the late Fay (Orenstein) Zatlin and George Zatlin. He grew up in St. Louis and lived there all his life. A devoted family man, Phil leaves his wife, Carole (Edelman); daughters Dayle Zatlin (Joel Blumenthal) of Green Island, N.Y., and Caren Forister Smith (Steve Smith) of The Woodlands, Texas; son Stuart Zatlin (Suzanne Peterson) of St. Louis; five grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Barbara (Jackson).

Phil, who was called Orville for most of his life, served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a radio operator in a tank destroyer battalion in the Philippines and earned a rank of Sergeant and a medal for sharp shooting. Prior to the Army, he attended Soldan High School, and following his military service, he studied engineering at Washington University on the GI Bill, ensuring that he could fix any mechanical device for the rest of his life. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and liked to sing “Fast and Firm” the “Sammy” song, teaching it to his

BRIAN FEIT

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The director of the THRIVE program was introduced to Feit around eight years ago.

“As an educator, I’m always trying to connect students with real-world experiences, like our annual trip to New York City. Brian’s role on the trip is crucial. He consistently offers valuable insights and support,” said Kara Siebe, THRIVE Entrepreneurship program coordinator. “He even went the extra mile by traveling to St. Louis to meet with us when our trip was canceled in 2020 due to COVID. He

children and grandchildren.

OBITUARIES

Upon college graduation, Phil went to work at Star Binding, a bias binding manufacturing company started by his grandfather, Solomon Orenstein, in 1914. He worked there and at Star Printing, an affiliated company, with his father and uncle, later running the companies for decades. After turning over company management to his son, Stuart, he continued to work there until the COVID pandemic in 2020, retiring at age 94.

Phil met Carole at a Washington University fraternity party and fell in love. They married in 1949. He adored his wife and family, and loved Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First” well into his 90s.

A graveside funeral was held at B’nai Amoona Cemetery Tuesday, May 7. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to BJC Hospice. Please check the website at bergermemorialchapel.com for more info. Berger Memorial Service

American Flag symbol denotes a United States military veteran.

motivates students to be their best selves, encouraging them to persist politely and work towards their goals.

Siebe says Feit’s impact doesn’t end with these trips.

“Brian shares his contact information, allowing students to seek advice whenever they need it,” she continued. “Several students seek his counsel, and some are inspired to follow his example and give back, mirroring his generosity towards them.”Early on in his career, Feit also volunteered for the Music for Youth Foundation through UJA.

“It was a group of mostly Jewish music executives, and we gave back to elementa-

SHIRLEY ZEFFREN, May 4, 2024

Daughter of the late Ben (Dov Ber HaCohen) and the late Sylvia (Chaya Tzivia) Fredman; Wife of the late Ted Zeffren; Mother of Michael (Karen) Zeffren, Murray (Ahoova) Zeffren, Shana (Simcha Polsky), and Esther (David) Schnaidman; Grandmother of Yehuda (Devorah) Zeffren, Levi (Alyssa) Zeffren, Yaakov (Avital) Zeffren, Aharon Zeffren, Yaakov Yisroel Zeffren, Leah Zeffren, Zevulun (Yael) Zeffren, Eliezer (Yehudis) Polsky, Rivka (Hershel) Kleinman, Zevie (Adeena) Polsky, Miriam (Yossi) Schultz, Shoshanna (Jason) Silberman, Ephraim (Rivka) Schnaidman, and Chanan Schnaidman; Greatgrandmother of Akiva Zeffren, Kayla Zeffren, Daniel Zeffren, Ozzie Zeffren, Keira Zeffren, Elan Zeffren, Nava Zeffren, Penina Zeffren, Aaron Zeffren, Johnny Zeffren, Teddy Zeffren, Yisroel Nachum Polsky, Shira Polsky, Chananel Polsky, Chaim Tzvi Polsky, Atara Polsky, Yisrael Zev Kleinman, Shifra Kleinman, Dovi Kleinman, Sari Polsky, Akiva Polsky, Tanchum Polsky, Neema Polsky, Meira Polsky, Yitzchak Schultz, Tanchum Schultz, Kobi Schultz, Yoav Silberman, Matan Silberman, Yael Schnaidman, Tanchum Schnaidman, and Zahava Schnaidman.

Shirley was born is Belleville, IL in 1930 and grew up in Peoria. She moved to St. Louis during college and met the love of her life, Ted Zeffren, with whom she was married to for over 61 years. She attended Washington University and was in the 2nd graduating class of the newly minted Occupational Therapy program. She proudly

ry music education programs. So that was a great connector for me, you know, to be in touch with more people who are in the business and Jewish as well.”

His Jewish roots also keep him from parting with his former full-time NYC residence, which he fondly calls “The Temple.”

“My apartment in New York is in a converted synagogue,” Feit said. “It’s a 1908 Jewish Hungarian synagogue. I kept the place because it’s so special. And I struggle with like, that apartment in New York sitting empty, but I didn’t want to get rid of it because it’s so special. I lived there for 12 years.”

BMF is headquartered in New York,

worked as an OT for 47 years, working in both private and public facilities, rehabilitating both children and adults overcoming physical challenges. In addition to her work, she was very committed to volunteering in H.F. Epstein Hebrew Academy and the Young Israel of St. Louis’s Women’s Division.

Following her retirement, she continued her life-long love of learning. She attended weekly classes at the Young Israel Synagogue, in Chumash and Jewish Law. She took up piano lessons in her mid-60’s fulfilling her childhood dream of playing piano. She was an avid reader, especially enjoying mysteries and non-fiction titles, further expanding her knowledge base. She attended OASIS, adult education classes, where she enjoyed the discussion about world politics. She joined her husband for many RAMS and other sports games. She also enjoyed sewing and knitting various items for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ever, the care-giver, she will be remembered for her warm wit and her selflessness nature, her devotion to her family and Judaism.

A funeral service was held Monday, May 6th at BERGER MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 9430 Olive Boulevard. Interment followed at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 7550 Olive Boulevard. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for Live Stream and other information.

Berger Memorial Service

with offices in Los Angeles, London and Feit’s new home base of Miami, but Feit still makes time to come back to St. Louis a few times a year. He credits his St. Louis upbringing and the local Jewish community for helping him to evolve and succeed. “I grew up at the Jewish Community Center Association, and I went to Camp Sabra for 10 years and then became a counselor. I went to United Hebrew, B’nai Amoona, and Nusach Hari. And I think being part of such a rich Jewish culture helped me become who I am today,” Feit said. “I love St. Louis and I’m super proud to be from there. I think it’s a very special city.”

ISRAELI SCOUTS NJT

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on Oct. 7.”

Yair Vokhil, 18, said the trip was his first to the U.S. and it met every one of his expectations.

“In Israel, everything we know about America we learn from watching movies,” Vokhil said. “Driving around and walking around here, it was like a dream, exactly like what we envisioned. We also want to get to know the Jewish community here and how they live. It seems like they are much closer here than in Israel. It’s so wonderful to see.”

Also on the Israeli scouts’ agenda was a visit to Saul Mirowitz Community School and Epstein Hebrew Academy, where they addressed a more serious topic: living in the aftermath of the Hamas attack. Vokhil lost a family member in the attack at the Nova Music Festival. Kolin shared her ongoing grief after losing a close friend serving in the IDF.

“His name is Ofir Tzioni,” Kolin said. “He was a master sergeant in combat engineering and my sister’s boyfriend. He operated a D-9 vehicle and died when an anti-tank missile hit it.”

During the Israeli scout group’s travels prior to St. Louis, one stop was in Italy. That’s where Kolin pasted stickers bearing the photo, name, and rank of fallen IDF soldiers, including Tzioni, Mool Gershoni and Itay Glisko. She is also offering stickers to her new friends in the St. Louis Israeli scout chapter. Holding up a sticker with Glisko’s photo, she explained the Hebrew inscription under his name.

“There’s a signature phrase that says something about him as a person. It says ‘courage’ and ‘humbleness.’”

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bring the seder to life go from riotous to heart-wrenching, Jenni Ryan (“Gloria: A Life,” “Broadway Bound”) returns to the Wool Studio Theatre alongside Knoll and Shaw as Saul’s sister Nan. Making their NJT debuts are Bridgette Bassa and Hailey Medrano as Saul and Linda’s daughters Sammi and Ariel; Bethany Barr as Bev, the Stein’s well-meaning but uninformed former neighbor; and Taijha Silas as Linda’s graduate assistant, Ester.

NJT Artistic Director Rebekah Scallet will lead the production as director, after making her NJT debut with last year’s “The Immigrant.” Her design team includes Andrea Ball as set designer, Ellie Schwetye as sound designer and Michael Sullivan as lighting designer. Once again, NJT welcomes back Michele Friedman Siler (“The Immigrant,” STL Circle Nominated) as costume designer.

Kaplan, the playwright, will be in attendance of this regional premiere on Saturday, June 1, and will be participating in a talkback with the audience following the 4 p.m. showing alongside Scallet. Scallet and Kaplan have a previous relationship going back to 2006 when Scallet directed Kaplan’s play “Catching Flight” for the Fresh Produce New Play Festival in Chicago.

“I am thrilled to finally have an opportunity to direct Lila Rose’s beautiful play. I have been following it since its premiere at the Huntington and can’t wait to be able to share this story with our audiences in St. Louis,” said Scallet. “It captures so perfectly the highs and lows of a big family holiday celebration – all of the chaos, the family squabbles, the laughter, and the tears that so often accompany these beautiful and challenging occasions.”

Scallet will host two additional talkbacks with show audiences on Saturday, June 14 following the 4 p.m. performance, and on Thursday, June 6, following the 7:30 p.m. performance.

Above, visiting Israeli scout Yair Vokhil. Below, Adi Kolin holds an image of Itay Glisko. PHOTOS: BILL MOTCHAN

SCHMOOZE

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in Crews’ blood – she is the fourth generation to serve. She was in Washington, D.C. with many of her family members in 2015 when her great grandfather — Elsie’s father, Army Sgt. William Shemin — was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama for his heroism in World War I.

Elsie had worked for decades to right what she felt was a terrible wrong in securing the medal for her father. While he was awarded a Purple Heart as well as the nation’s second-highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Cross for “extraordinary heroism,” there was never any explanation as to why he didn’t receive the Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military decoration of valor. Elsie and many others believe that he was initially overlooked for this award because he was Jewish, and antisemitism was rampant at the time.

I mentioned that to Lt. Crews, who said she hoped that attitudes had changed in the military over the last century.

“I think that like all institutions, change is slow,” she said. “But my grandmother

certainly has helped propel some of that. And from what I hear, I’m a lot like my great grandfather.

“I’m really proud to represent my Jewish community as well as my family and my St. Louis community,” she continued. “It’s part of my identity that I don’t hide.”

Elsie beamed throughout the ceremony — she couldn’t have been prouder.

“She’s on an amazing trajectory,” said Elsie after the ceremony. “As a nurse anesthetist, she will be working at the highest level of nursing care. With the army behind her, she will expand her knowledge so much, to many things the university cannot offer her.

“I also want everyone to see that there is a Jewish woman up there — that Jews do care about our country. It’s not just about Israel, we stand up for our country and fight for it, too.”

Another way to commemorate Memorial Day

Aaron Hadley, director of Camp Ben Frankel, explained that in late April, he was contacted by an Israeli mom desperate to find a way for her daughters to escape the daily terrors of living on the Lebanon border. She could only afford the cost of airfare to get her girls to an American Jewish camp.

“We thought there must be an existing program or funding available for Israeli families like hers. After investigating and asking around, we were surprised to find nothing,” said Hadley.

“We also asked around to see if there were other families like hers that were in need of a respite this summer. Through our camp’s alumni network in Israel, we heard from many more families desperate to help their children this summer. That’s when we decided to try to do something to help.”

So now, Camp Ben Frankel has launched an emergency fundraising campaign to try to bring up to 17 Israeli children affected by the events of Oct. 7 to the camp this summer. The Jewish sleepaway camp is located in Makanda, Ill., about two hours south of St. Louis.

The goal is to raise more than $110,000 to help these children, ages 10-17, attend camp. Hadley said the camp can accommodate one child for every $6,520 raised between now and May 28.

He also said the camp wants to help these girls and other kids like them — children displaced from their homes after Oct. 7 or living on the border with Lebanon.

“They face the threat of rocket attacks. Their parents have been called into active duty or volunteer on their kibbutz emergency response crews,” said Hadley. “They are living with war. Their parents just want them to have a fun and safe summer.

“Imagine the impact of a summer filled with games, crafts and outdoor activities for a child who has spent every day since Oct. 7th living with fear and uncertainty. Your donation will not only provide them with moments of joy but also contribute to their emotional well-being and resilience.”

Hadley suggests a few ways of helping, including donating, be it a one-time or monthly gift. He also asks readers to share the campaign by word-of-mouth or on social media.

To donate, go to bit.ly/camp-fundraiser.

At left, Army 1st Lt. Emily Crews salutes Air Force Capt. Alex Finn at her commissioning ceremony on Monday, May 20 at the Brentmoor. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN

SUMMER ARTS & EATS

2024 SUMMER ARTS & EATS SECTION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF:

Bruce Wood Dance from Dallas is one of a dozen dance companies featured in Dance St. Louis’ 16th annual Emerson Spring to Dance Festival, set for May 24-25 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Find more arts events in our 2024 Summer Arts Guide on pages 18-27. PHOTO: SHAREN BRADFORD

Above, read about St. Louis festivals that bring together food and the arts in our listings on page 26. PHOTO: STOCK.ADOBE.COM.

At right, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band performs June 27 at The Factory in Chesterfield.

SUMMER ARTS GUIDE 2024

BY PATRICIA CORRIGAN | SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

No time to waste — Opera Theatre is up and running, the Missouri History Museum has opened a remarkable new exhibit on the 1904 World’s Fair and free music concerts at Missouri Botanical Garden start soon.

Plus, you have tickets to buy for the New Jewish Theatre, the Muny and the Fabulous Fox, as well at numerous other theater venues. Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett and James Taylor all will be here in June, and Barry Manilow will pay his final visit in July. Expect much more music of many styles (Jon Batiste! Indigo Girls! The Brothers Lazaroff!) plus festivals, comedy shows (Jordan Klepper!) and the return of Circus Flora.

When it comes to places to go and people to see this summer — we have suggestions!

MAY

Dance St. Louis presents nationally touring professional companies May 24-25 at the 16th annual Emerson Spring to Dance Festival 2024 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus. The event is billed as “the Midwest region’s most celebrated dance festival.” For ticket information, see dancestlouis.org

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The World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park plays host to the St. Louis African Arts Festival, which celebrates African culture through art, entertainment, family-friendly activities, performances and of course, yummy food. Admission to the festival, which takes place May 25-27, is free.



The Black Rep presents “ Timbuktu!” through June 9 at Edison Theater on the Washington University campus. The musical fable tells the story of the Poet, his beautiful daughter Marsinah; an evil Wazir of Police; his restless Wife of Wives, Lundanda; and The Mania of Mali, Bobo, as they wander the Sahara. For performance times and ticket prices, see theblackrep.org/season-47

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Opera Theatre’s 49th Festival Season runs through June 30 at Webster University’s Loretto-Hilton Center. See Rossini’s delightful comedy “ The Barber of Seville;” Puccini’s timeless “La bohème;” Handel’s masterpiece of love and politics, “Julius Caesar;” and Philip Glass’ rarely produced “Galileo Galilei,” which explores the great scientist’s life. Several advance events will “explore the themes of the season and offer a chance for community gathering and dialogue.” For details and tickets, see opera-stl.org/

“Paul Chan: Breathers” is on exhibit through Aug. 11 at the Contemporary Art Museum, with works Chan developed during a break and a new series of “fan-powered, billowing fabric” sculptures. Chan describes them as “animated by breath.” See camstl.org/exhibitions/paul-chan-breathers/ 

Check out “Shimmering Silks: Traditional Japanese Textiles, 18th–19th Centuries,” on display at the St. Louis Art Museum through Oct. 20. The free

exhibit celebrates silk pieces from the museum’s collection, which commenced over a century ago. See slam.org

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Learn more about the 1904 World’s Fair than you ever knew, courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, now through April 2030. “It was grand and shameful” and “It was full of fun and full of indignity” are just two of the phrases the museum uses to describe the free exhibit, which elaborates on both. Expect special related programs as well. For details, see mohistory.org

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Have it your way at the Bard’s “As You Like It,” presented by the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival May 29-June 23 in Forest Park’s Shakespeare Glen. Expect a production that is “romantic, lusty, funny and full of heart” and features live music. The show starts at 8 p.m. nightly Tuesday through Sunday. Seating is free, unless you opt for paid reserved seating. For details, visit stlshakes.org

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Every Wednesday from May 29-July 31, music lovers will gather at the Missouri Botanical Garden for free concerts, courtesy of the Whitaker Foundation. The music starts at 7 p.m., but visitors are encouraged to arrive after 5 p.m. for a picnic — bring your own or buy food and beverages on site. Enter

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The Black Rep’s production ‘Timbuktu’ runs through June 9.

PHOTO: KESHON CAMPBELL

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 scale model of the fairgrounds.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM

through the Jack C. Taylor Visitor Center at the Garden’s entrance. See missouribotanicalgarden.org

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“We All Fall Down” by Lila Rose Kaplan is next up at the New Jewish Theatre. Watch as a family’s comic attempts to bring a Passover seder to life go from “riotous to heart-wrenching.” Afternoon and evening performances will take place May 30-June 16 at the Wool Theatre in the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex. For information on single tickets or packages, see newjewishtheatre.org

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“Dracula” as a rock opera? Why not? New Line Theatre notes that “Broadway songwriter Frank Wildhorn delivers his most epic score for this riveting, fastpaced, Gothic rock opera, faithful to the iconic novel but with some unexpected twists and turns.” See it May 30-June 22 at the Marcelle Theater in the Grand Center Arts District. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for students/seniors. Call MetroTix at 314-534-1111 or see metrotix.com

Laugh — and cry — at Robert Harling’s poignant “Steel Magnolias,” on stage May 31-June 30 at Stages St. Louis. At Truvy’s salon in rural Louisiana, she pampers clients who “forge friendships as strong as steel that help them through both the good times and the bad.” All performances are at the Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. For performance times and tickets, see stagesstlouis.org/ steelmagnolias/ or call 314-821-2407.

Laugh along with comedian Brad Williams at 7 p.m. June 1 on his “Tour ’24, on stage at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Williams embraced stand-up as a teen, and at 40, he’s still at it. For tickets, see ticketmaster.com

New

continues its season with ‘We All Fall Down’ from May 30 to June 16.

They’re back! The Glenn Miller Orchestra once again will bring Swing and Big Band music to town at 4 p.m. June 2 at the Sheldon Concert Hall Tickets cost $50-$70, available at Metrotix. Call 314-534-1111 or see metrotix.com. For more information, visit thesheldon.org

Now in its 38th year of delighting all ages, Circus Flora presents “Marooned!” June 6-23 with morning, mid-day and early evening shows under the Big Top in Grand Center. Expect to witness “the resilience and ingenuity of our performers as they navigate the challenges of the unknown, bringing to life a tale of

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The

Jewish Theatre

Pictured from left are (at back) Bridgette Bassa, Hailey Medrano (at front) Mindy Shaw and Alan Knoll.

PHOTO: ETHAN AYLESWORTH

Amanda Stewart, Associate Principal Trombone; Hannah Ji, Assistant Concertmaster; Kevin Ritenauer, Associate Principal Timpani

survival, camaraderie and the enduring spirit of the human heart.” Tickets range from $10-$99. See circusflora.org

vvv

Hear Sweet Baby James — we speak of the one and only James Taylor —at 8 p.m. June 6 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Or maybe you’re more in tune with Styx & Foreigner’s “Renegades and Juke Box Heroes Tour” at 6:45 p.m. June 18 at the same venue? For more information on both shows and for tickets, see livenation.com

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Cody Fry — singer, composer and TikTok star — will perform with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. June 7 at the Stifel Theatre. Tickets cost $45-$135. See shop.slso.org/8224/8225

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Meet artists from all over the country June 7-9 at the 20 th annual Webster Arts Fair at the corner of Bompart and Lockwood avenues in Webster Groves. The fair, which is free, also features local entertainment, food and hands-on art

2024 SUMMER ARTS GUIDE

activities for all ages. Hours are 6-10 p.m. June 7, noon-9 p.m. June 8 and noon-4 p.m. June 9. For more info, go to websterartsfair.com

Singer, songwriter, composer, musician and band leader Jon Batiste will share his many gifts on his “Uneasy Tour,” on stage at 8 p.m. June 12 at St.

Louis Music Park. For tickets, see centenecommunityicecenter.com

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The award-winning Ambassadors of Harmony — along with Visions of Harmony and The Recruits, a youth chorus — will perform “A Cappella Live” at 2 and again at 8 p.m. June 15 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. For tickets, see touhill.org

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The Muny opens its 106th season in Forest Park with “Les Miserables,” on stage June 17-23. (Some 130 million people in 53 countries have seen it — have you?) Next up is “Dreamgirls,” which runs June 27-July 3. (And I am telling you — go.) For more information and tickets, see muny.org or call Metrotix at 314-534-1111.

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Keyon Harrold — Jazz St. Louis Creative Advisor and Ferguson native — will present the last shows of the Jazz St. Louis 2023-24 season June 19-23 at the Harold and Dorothy Steward Center for Jazz. Harrold will introduce Jazz St. Louis’ “much-anticipated, first-ever solo-commissioned work.” For tickets, see jazzstl.org

vvv

August Wilson’s “King Hedley II” will be on stage June 19-July 14 at The Black Rep, performed at Edison Theater on the Washington University campus. The show is part of Wilson’s renowned cycle of plays about the Black experience in America. For performance times and ticket prices, see theblackrep.org

vvv

“Art and Imagination in Spanish America, 1500–1800: Highlights from LACMA’s Collection” opens June 22 at the St. Louis Art Museum. The exhibition will feature “more than 100 works drawn from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s notable collection.” Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $6 for children ages 6-12. See slam.org for more information.

vvv

Opera Theatre of St. Louis presents “Center Stage” at 7:30 p.m. June 25 at the Loretto-Hilton Center, where you’ll hear rising opera stars, accompanied by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. For tickets, see opera-stl.org

vvv

Singer, composer and actor Lyle Lovett — and His Large Band — will fill the stage with music at 7:30 p.m. June 27 at The Factory. Tickets start at $69. See thefactorystl.com

vvv

Pridefest St. Louis’ celebration

“Unleash Your Pride” will take place June 29-30 downtown. Expect music by national, regional and local entertainers, a dance tent, vendors, nonprofit organizations and plenty of food. The parade begins at noon on Sunday at 10th and Market. For more information, see pridestl.org/pride-fest-2024

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At left, cast members of the Stages St. Louis production of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ which runs May 31 through June 30.

PHOTO: PHILLIP HAMER PHOTOGRAPHY

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Bonnie Raitt brings her “Just Like That . . . Tour” to town at 7:30 p.m. June 29 at the Stifel Theatre. Tickets range from $56-$136. See stifeltheatre.com

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University City’s own Brothers Lazaroff will present the second annual “Laz Jazz Fest” June 29 on two stages at The Big Top, 3401 Washington Ave. Doors open at 3 p.m.; music starts at 4. Tickets cost $28-65. Proceeds will benefit St. Louis Art Place Initiative and its mission to build wealth and equity for low to moderate-income artists through home ownership. See brotherslazaroff.com

“Cocktails with Frank and Me” is the title of David Giuntoli’s tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes at 7 p.m. July 3 at The Blue Strawberry, 364 North Boyle. Carol Schmidt will be on piano, and expect a special guest or two. Tickets cost $20. See bluestrawberrystl.com 

A parade! An air show! Concerts! Fireworks! A Salute to the Troops! Expect all that and more at Fair Saint Louis 2024 on July 4 on the riverfront. For details about the celebration, see celebratesaintlouis.org

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Union Avenue Opera will present Bizet’s “Carmen” at 8 p.m. July 5-6 and 12-13, with the opera in French with projected English supertitles. Next up is Verdi’s “Aida,” sung in Italian with projected English supertitles at 8 p.m. July

314-534-1111.

26, 3 p.m. July 28 and 8 p.m. Aug. 3. Performances are at the Union Avenue Opera House, 733 North Union Blvd. For tickets and performance times, see unionavenueopera.org or call 314-3612881.

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For a night under the stars — or actually, under the sea — consider Disney’s “ The Little Mermaid” July 8-16 at The Muny. The sun rises and sets in Anatevka in the poignant “Fiddler on the Roof,” on stage July 19-25, and the popular Broadway show “Waitress” runs July 30-Aug. 5. For more information and tickets, see muny.org or call Metrotix at

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See Midnight Company’s production of Harold Pinter’s “Old Times” July 11-27 at The Chapel at 6238 Alexander Dr. in Clayton. The New York Times calls the three-person show “vintage Pinter, delicate and musical.” For show times and ticket prices, see midnightcompany.com

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The St. Louis Actors’ Studio will present the 10th Annual LaBute New Theater Festival July 12-28 at The Gaslight Theatre. For performance times and tickets, see stlas.org

‘Hamilton’ returns to the Fox Theatre Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

Friends of Barbie: Don’t miss “Barbie The Movie: In Concert” at 8 p.m. July 13 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Not your bag? Hear Carlos Santana and Counting Crows at 7 p.m. July 27 at the same venue. For more information and tickets, see livenation.com

Jakob Dylan (son of Bob) and his band The Wallflowers, which are touring behind their new album – the band’s latest since 2012’s “Exit Wounds” – will perform at the Pageant on July 16. Tickets range from $29.50-$49.50 and can be bought at ticketmaster.com

PHOTO: JOAN MARCUS

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Get ready to be delighted by Lake Street Dive’s eclectic mix of pop, soul, folk and jazz when they bring their Good Together Tour to St. Louis Music Park on July 16. Tickets start at $25 through ticketmaster.com.

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Cinema St. Louis will present the 24th Annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase July 19-21 and 26-28 at the Hi-Pointe Theatre. Showcased films will include full-length fiction and documentary features and multi-film compilations of fiction, documentary and experimental shorts. Post-screening Q&As are scheduled with the filmmakers and/or subjects. For details, see cinemastlouis.org

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Alumni and current students will perform “ The Color Purple” July 19-21 in the Catherine B. Berges Theatre at COCA The show is recommended for individuals 13 and older. For details on matinee and evening performances, see cocastl. org

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Comedian Jordan Klepper — you’ve seen him on “The Daily Show” — brings his “Suffering Fools” tour to town at 8 p.m. July 20 at The Factory. For details and tickets, see thefactorystl.com

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Playwright John Logan’s masterful “Red” will grace the stage July 25-August 11 at the New Jewish Theatre. Described as “raw and provocative,” the play exhibits artist Mark Rothko’s ambition and vulnerability “as he tries to create a definitive work for an extraordinary setting.” Afternoon and evening performances will take place July 25-Aug. 11 at the Wool Theatre in the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex. For information or tickets, see newjewishtheatre.org

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He writes the songs the whole world sings — and Barry Manilow will sing here one last time at 7 p.m. July 25 at Enterprise Center. Tickets start at $15.50 and go up (way up) from there. See ticketmaster.com

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Disney’s “Newsies: The Broadway Musical” is on stage July 26-Aug. 25 at Stages St. Louis. The lively, family-friendly show, about newsboys in New York who stand up to the publishing industry, will be performed at the Ross Family Theatre at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. For performance times and tickets, see stagesstlouis.org/news-

ies/ or call 314-821-2407.

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The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival will present its free outdoor production of “ The Tempest” July 30 — Aug. 25 in 24 parks in Missouri and Illinois. Each touring show begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts 90 minutes. For a schedule of tour stops, see stlshakes.org

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Seeing a living legend like Steve Earle perform acoustically, in an intimate venue, is a rare treat. The master singer-songwriter will do just that on July 30 at the City Winery St. Louis, located at the Foundry. Reserved tickets start at $99 and are available at citywinery.com.

AUGUST

Expect magic at the 9th Annual Tennessee Williams Festival Aug. 8-18 in the form of artistic and educational events that include a production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” readings of one-act plays about show business, walking tours of Grand Center, panel discussions, a pool party and more. For a schedule and details, see twstl.org

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The Gateway Arch Park Foundation, in partnership with the National Blues Museum and the National Park Service, will present Blues at the Arch Aug. 9-10 at Gateway Arch National Park. Admission is free. See archpark.org

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The Muny ends its 106th season with “In the Heights” Aug. 9-15, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and the rousing “Anything Goes” Aug. 19-25, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter. For more information and tickets, see muny. org or call Metrotix at 314-534-1111.

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Theater, music and more, all showcasing original material by independent artists — that’s what The St. Lou Fringe Festival promotes, on stage Aug. 12-18 at several venues in Grand Center and beyond. Check out stlfringe.org/stlfringe-fest for details.

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Midnight Company will present “Auditions” Aug. 12-18 as part of the St. Louis Fringe Festival at a space yet to be determined. Company founder Joe Hanrahan penned the three short plays, in which three actors explore “the horror, pain and

Continued on page 26

deep inhumanity of the audition process.” For show times and ticket prices, see midnightcompany.com/

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The Pageant will present the Indigo Girls & Melissa Etheridge at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at St. Louis Music Park. For tickets, see centenecommunityicecenter.com

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“’Green Day: The Saviors Tour” takes the stage at 6:45 p.m. Aug. 15 at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. Plus, fools and others can absolutely believe that The Doobie Brothers will be at the same venue at 7 p.m. Aug. 24. For more information and tickets, see livenation. com

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Sondheim Lovers Alert: See Union Avenue Opera’s “Into the Woods” at 8 p.m. Aug. 16-17 and Aug. 23-24 at the Union Avenue Opera House, 733 North Union Blvd. For tickets and performance times, see unionavenueopera.org or call 314-361-2881.

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The Entire “Purple Rain” album will be performed in honor of its 40th anniversary at “When Doves Cry — The Prince Tribute Show,” at 8 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Sheldon Concert Hall. Tickets range from $41-$51. See thesheldon.org

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STL Jazz Fest celebrates the genre at 7 p.m. Aug. 23-24 at The Factory. Featured performers include Gregory Porter, the comedy of Alonzo Bodden, the Eric Marienthal Band and Brian Culbertson. For details and passes, see thefactorystl.com

The ground-breaking, award-winning musical “Hamilton” takes the stage Aug. 28-Sept. 8 at the Fox Theatre. It’s never too late to see it for the first time (or go back for seconds) to learn some American history they didn’t teach in school. For more information and tickets, see fabulousfox.com

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Paint Louis celebrates graffiti and music as some 500 artists gather to paint a 2-mile x 20-foot flood wall along the Mississippi River. The annual festival will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 1, just two blocks south of the Arch. For details, see paint-louis.com/

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The Greater St. Louis Artists will hold the Labor Day Weekend Art Fair at Queeny Park Aug. 31-Sept. 1 in the Greensfelder Recreation Complex at the park in Manchester. The juried fine art and fine craft show will feature more than 100 artists from across the country. Tickets are $10 at the door for adults; kids under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult. For details, see queenyartfair.org/

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The annual Japanese Festival at the Missouri Botanical Garden — one of the largest and oldest festivals of its kind in the U.S. — will take place Aug. 31-Sept. 2 in celebration of the history, culture and people of Japan. Expect taiko drumming, bon odori festival dancing, martial arts, candlelight walks in the Japanese Garden and more. General admission is $16 for individuals 13 and up and $6 for residents of St. Louis City or St. Louis County. For details, see missouribotanicalgarden.org

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF THEATRE

St. Louis festivals blend food, the arts

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds as we dive into the vibrant world of food festivals in St. Louis. From Greek treats to piquant pickles, the Gateway City boasts several unique events during the summer months that highlight food and drink.

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Lamb shanks, dolmades and spanakopita are just a few of the Greek treats at the annual St. Louis County Greek Festival, which also features live music and dancing. Presented by the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church on Memorial Day weekend, the action takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at 1755 Des Peres Road. Only cash is accepted. For more information, go to stlgreekfest.com.

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Learn how to prepare your own horseradish and sample all kinds of varieties at the International Horseradish Festival on Main Street in “Uptown” Collinsville from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 7-8. In addition to a spicy Bloody Mary contest and a Washers and Bags Tournament, festivalgoers can enjoy food, drink, family-friendly activities and live music at this free event. There’s even a “Personality Pageant” for children ages 6 months to 16 years. For more information, go to internationalhorseradishfestival.com

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Apparently, this new festival is a big dill. Sorry about the pun, but we just can’t help ourselves when talking about Pickle Palooza, scheduled for June 15, starting at 11 a.m., at Ballpark Village. Expect live music, plenty of kid’s activities, pickleball and of course, pickle vendors galore, along with appropriately themed food and drink. General admission tickets start at $10; children 12 and under get in free with an adult ticket holder. For more information, go to https://www.stlballparkvillage.com/ events/2024-06-15-pickle-palooza

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Let Them Eat Art, a tribute to France’s Bastille Day, will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. July 12 in downtown Maplewood. The free event features art demonstra-

tions, live music, kid’s activities and food and drink by Maplewood’s food purveyors. For more info, go to cityofmaplewood.com/enjoy_maplewood/area_ events_and_happenings/let_them_eat_ art/

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The quintessential food festival, Taste St. Louis, takes place at Ballpark Village Aug. 2-4. With more than 30 local eateries participating, festivalgoers will be able to snag their favorite snacks as well as try a new dish or two. The event also boasts culinary demonstrations, an artisan marketplace and live music. For more information, go to thetastestl.com

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Food, drink and music come together to form the centerpiece of Grub & Groove, which takes place at Francis Park from 2- 10 p.m. on Aug. 12. The family-friendly event includes a kids’ zone, retail village and multiple bars along with delicious food from local restaurants and live music by various local musicians. Proceeds go to improving the park and the surrounding neighborhood. For more information, go to grubandgroove.org

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The celebratory Festival of Nations will fill the eastern edge of Tower Grove Park Aug. 24-25. Expect dance, music, craft demonstrations, an ethnic gift bazaar and rows of food booths touting ethnic delicacies. Founded in 1934, this feel-good party is said to be the region’s largest annual multicultural event. For more information, see festofnations. com/

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The Peach Festival at Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton celebrates the fuzzy fruit with peaches to sample and purchase as well as live entertainment, kid’s activities, locally made wine and the festival’s famous game: the Peach Pitting contest. Buy a peach, eat it and save the pit, then try throwing it in a winning cup. For questions, call Arielle at 618786-2331, ext. 338. This free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25.

Ellen Futterman & Patricia Corrigan

FEATURES

ARTS AND CULTURE FOOD HOLIDAYS LIFESTYLES

The funniest Iranian Jew in the world is coming to St. Louis

BY BILL MOTCHAN

SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

A special night of comedy, food and fellowship is coming up June 10 at The Factory in Chesterfield. The Men’s Event is being planned by Jewish Federation of St. Louis to bring together a wide cross-section of the community.

According to Amy Bornstein, senior director, transformational giving, “We’re really trying to bring everyone together for a fun night, and make sure that people have the chance to feel the connection in the room.” Headlining the program is Iranian Jewish comedian, actor, producer and writer Dan Ahdoot. In advance of his St. Louis visit, Ahdoot recently shared his thoughts on stand-up comedy with the Jewish Light

Do you remember the first time you got a laugh and how it made you feel?

It was in kindergarten. I think I realized that I have a little bit of a superpower because I always was kind of the smaller kid and would get, you know, picked on and beaten up. So it was nice to have that superpower. In high school I realized, oh my G-d, cute girls that I have no business talking to think I’m funny! When you get a genuine crazy laugh, it’s better than any feeling.

You recently did a routine that went viral about how Palestinian chants roll off the tongue a little easier than Israeli chants. Were you at all surprised by the reaction it got?

I wasn’t surprised that it went viral because I knew it was a good bit and it’s of the times. I was genuinely surprised by the vitriol because I don’t think it’s the most

controversial thing that I say, “I think Israel has a right to exist.” I thought that joke would get me a lot of likes. I didn’t think it would get me death threats. That was a shocker to me.

Being able to take a serious situation as a setup and get humor out of it, is that a skill that a comic needs to master?

I think that’s the most important skill. I’ve gotten a bunch of interviews where they ask, “What were you trying to say with that bit?” I wasn’t trying to say anything. I saw an opportunity for a good joke. And I took it. With comedians, rule No. 1 is be funny.

Your podcast, Green Eggs and Dan, is quite popular. You are a student of food and cooking. If you hadn’t gone into entertainment, would you possibly have been a chef?

I’ve actually interned in fancy kitchens and it’s definitely not for me. I love cooking, but cooking in a restaurant sounds like a nightmare. It’s the last thing I’d want to do. My podcast is just a way for me to scratch my foodie itch and perform comedy at the same time. I try to be at the intersection of comedy and food. And I have a show on the Food Network coming out to prove it.

What are some of the themes the audience at The Men’s Event expect to hear from you?

I’m going to put on a show that regardless of if you’re Jewish or not, you’re going to have a great time. It’s going to be an awesome show. I’m not an Iranian comedian. I’m a comedian who happens to be Iranian. I’m not a Jewish comedian. I’m a comedian who happens to be Jewish.

Cicadas are edible.

But are they kosher?

JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER

You can hear them pretty much everywhere you go around Missouri — the loud, constant buzzing sound of the cicadas. Not only are we hearing them in St. Louis, but we’re also seeing them and talking about them.

Last week, the Jewish Light published an article online about the “Secret Jewish History of Cicadas.” Many readers commented via social media and email about hearing that people around the country were eating them. Many wondered if cicadas happen to be kosher. Here is what we found out.

Missouri is one of 17 states experiencing cicada emergence this year, part of a rare double brood event. According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the 13-year Brood XIX, which appears every 13 years, will be seen in more states, including Missouri, than the 17-year Brood XIII.

Now that we know what we’re dealing with, are people really eating them?

The answer is yes. In fact, Friday, May 24 the bug experts of the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House are putting on their chefs’ hats to cook up some cicada-centric dishes and educate the public on entomophagy — the practice of eating insects.

The Men’s Event

WHAT: Comedian Dan Ahdoot performs during this Jewish Federation of St. Louis event

WHEN: Monday, June 10. Registration begins at 6 p.m. (enjoy food and drink [with open bar] and live music by Charles Glenn and the Steve Schankman Orchestra). The formal program begins at 7:30.

WHERE: The Factory, 17105 N Outer 40 Road in Chesterfield

HOW MUCH: $72

MORE INFO: For tickets or more information, visit https://bit.ly/mensevent2024

The event will include remarks by philanthropist Michael Staenberg. Dress code is summer casual. Dietary laws observed. For more information, contact Amy Bornstein at Jewish Federation: ABornstein@JFedSTL.org or 314-442-3763. The event is sponsored by RubinBrown.

The cicada, currently making itself heard all over Missouri.

“The Bug Chef” will educate guests about the cicadas emerging in St. Louis and demonstrate how to incorporate them into two culinary dishes: cicada scampi and spicy deep-fried cicada. Due to high demand, the Butterfly House will not offer cicada tastings during the public demonstrations, but adventurous guests can sample other insect-based snacks and take-home cicada recipe cards to try on their own.

But before you head out to Chesterfield to grab a recipe card, are cicadas kosher?

No, cicadas are not kosher

In a 2021 interview with our partners at JTA, Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Ohev Sholom — the National Synagogue in Washington, D.C., said, “No Jew should be eating cicadas. If you put them in your cholent pot, your cholent pot is treif.”

According to Rabbi Ari Zivotofsky, a neuroscience professor at Bar-Ilan University in Israel who explores exotic kosher food on the side, locusts are kosher (despite their starring role in the Ten Plagues), but cicadas are not.

“You’re not going to find anybody who says that cicadas are kosher,” said Zivotofsky to the JTA in the same interview. “There are kosher insects, but they’re all species of grasshoppers and locusts. There are no kosher cicadas.”

Zivotofsky said that before World War II, the tradition of eating locusts was confined to Jews in Yemen, where the insect was more prevalent. The custom has since expanded, including to the Zivotofsky home.

“I find it gross, but I let my kids eat locusts,” he said. For an animal to be kosher in Judaism, it needs to fit the rules set out in the Torah, and there needs to be an established community tradition of eating the animal. Herzfeld said cicadas are never kosher, but there is also no tradition among Ashkenazim of eating locusts. Therefore, locusts are not kosher for Ashkenazim, either.

“But if somebody was invited to a Yemenite Jew’s home for Shabbos dinner and they served locusts, then they could eat them,” Herzfeld said. “But an Ashkenazi Jew is not allowed to cook them up and serve them on their own.”

As for cicadas, they’re off the menu.

AMY FENSTER BROWN

Got an empty nest? You can fill it with new anxieties, emotions

BY AMY FENSTER BROWN

By press time, my oldest child will officially be a high school graduate. Also by press time, I will be swimming in deep waves of emotion, texting and calling all of the other parents who are stranded at sea with me. What do we do now? How did this happen so fast? Are we really that old?

We have a tidal wave of feelings rolling our way, so I asked some parents in the same boat their thoughts so we could have a sort of group therapy on paper.

Jackie says she has a whole lot of anxiety about her son leaving for college.

“It is an incredible exercise in independence for those who are ready,” she said. “For those who are not but think they are, the temptation to party or become distracted from academics is very real. I worry about making good choices and, overall, about my child’s safety.”

On the other hand, Megan sees it as an opportunity for her son.

“I am so excited for him,” she said. “He is going to love college and living on his own. I am proud of the young man he has become. Lots of maturing still left, though.”

Either way, Karen puts a positive spin on it.

“Remind yourself that living away at college is a gift to help your child learn how to be independent, navigate challenging situations and develop grit,” she

said. “You want this for them!”

Everyone I talked to agrees that what they will miss most is watching their child participate in, well, everything. From sports to performances, working on homework to having their friends raiding your pantry, all the parents say the day-to-day interaction is what they will miss the most.

You know what Aly won’t miss?

“I will not miss filling out all those dang forms and fees for everything, permission slips and more,” she said. “This list is never ending.”

Think of all the extra time we will have not filling out forms anymore. How on earth will we fill that void?

Jackie asks and answers: “I’m pretty sure I’ll fill that time with more crushing anxiety.”

Atta girl!

So, who better to give us newbies advice? Friends who have already gone through it.

Steve says: “Stepping back was really freakin’ hard, but I think doing so and enabling them to figure out who they are and how to navigate life’s many challenges with out parental interference is one of the most important gifts you can give your child.”

Lisa took her cues from her daughter, who helped set the tone.

“The more I heard how happy she was, how she was thriving every single day at school, I got over my sadness,” she said. “It’s a HUGE adjustment when your child leaves home. You feel like something’s not quite right in your house for the first month and, then gradually, you adjust and get used to it. And it’s an adjustment the first time they come home from college.”

Did you hear that? They come back home.

Steve says that’s the good news, with a little bit of bad news sprinkled in.

“Just remember that your child will be coming home for holidays, summer and maybe even to live with you for a while after they graduate,” he said. “Your money, on the other hand, well that’s gone forever. I’m getting emotional just thinking about it.”

Luckily, Steve said, he was able to keep busy once his daughter left for school.

“After dropping her off at college, I took up a full-time hobby: tending to my wife’s sadness. I was told it helps to find something to fill the void.”

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.

NANCY

KRANZBERG

— THE ARTS IN ST. LOUIS

Foundation works to build thriving arts scene in St. Louis

BY NANCY KRANZBERG SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT

Last month, I focused on the visual and literary arts in discussing the Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF). In today’s commentary, I’ll focus on music and the performing arts that are a major part of KAF.

In 2023, KAF presented St. Louis as an arts and entertainment destination to the national press in New York City and Austin, Texas, and hosted press in our hometown throughout the year. Music at the Intersection, the two-day eclectic music festival in Grand Center begun in 2021, generated over 345 local and national media stories and made over 144 million media impressions.

In March 2023, KAF joined the St. Louis Symphony, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the St. Louis Art Museum and the Regional Arts Commission in New York City for a media trip hosted by Explore St. Louis. The trip culminated with an interview in Forbes magazine with KAF Executive Director Chris Hansen and the designation of Grand Center Arts District in St Louis as America’s most exciting emerging arts district.

KAF continues to lead programs and opportunities for local musicians to perform and build capacity, and for St. Louis’ musical legacy and heritage to influence where music is headed today.

By Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

“False Gods” Difficulty: Medium Puzzle answers online: bit.ly/0522-crossword

53. Ones stuck in the hospital, for short?

54. Make like Nissim

55. ___ Boca Vista

56. It can’t fly

57. Diplomat’s trait

58. False god in Tanach

61. Can’t stand

63. Biden or Bernie, for short

64. Bud’s sidekick

65. Cutting, maybe

66. Ashcroft and Garland, for short

67. 62-Down, for this puzzle

68. False god in the Bible

Down

1. Least sensible

2. Announcement at an airport

3. Caribbean island nation

4. Kiln, for hops

5. PATH destination

6. Rosh

7. Window boxes, briefly?

8. Homeric word of woe

9. Use Hulu, e.g.

10. “Achi” alternative

11. Bit of a chuckle

13. Authoritative statement

18. Hatzolah destinations: Abbr.

Home of Coke: Abbr.

Makes into a mummy

Highest position

Yutzes

Angels, on the scoreboard

“Annabel Lee” poet’s monogram

“Can ___ frank?”

Drop a fly ball, e.g. 37. “Oh no!”

38. “Curb” comic, to friends 39. Org. especially busy in 2020

Highway menace

Lets out, as a fishing line

Selects, as artworks 44. What we becomes in Israel

45. Disney’s dwarfs and others

48. Not so sharp

49. Punching bag in the throat, in cartoons

52. Common American tree

56. The longest serving leader in Jewish history

57. Electrify, in a way

58. 1040 reviewer, briefly

59. “Go, bullfighter!”

60. Abner to Ner

62. Former Giant and Rams star receiver, for short

Alonzo Townsend does the weekly bookings for the Dark Room, which promotes local jazz, blues and hip-hop music at its best. The Dark Room is located in the Grandel, which was renovated by KAF in 2017. The venue’s 500seat theater features music, dance and other forms of performing arts.

Central Stage and the Big Top’s bookings and promotions are managed by Jamo Presents. These two venues have hosted single music acts as well as large festivals and have drawn thousands of attendees over the past year.

Sophie’s Artist Lounge hosts fresh and legendary deejays surrounded by bold, contemporary artwork. Last year, Sophie’s partnered with Music at the Intersection and the Walls off Washington on Elemental, a year-long celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, with parking lot parties, workshops, demonstrations, installations, exhibitions, film series and more.

For more of Nancy Kranzberg’s commentary, listen to KWMU (90.7) St. Louis on the Air the first Friday of each month at approximately 12:50 p.m. She also hosts a weekly Arts Interview podcast for KDHX (88.1),

Linda Sher and Ralph Koppel were married on Feb. 3, 2024 at the Champions Club at Busch Stadium. Rabbis Amy Feder and Lane Steinger officiated. Instead of a traditional wedding party, Linda and Ralph were walked down the aisle by their grandchildren and joined under the chuppah by their children.

The couple met in May 2022 when their longtime friend, Susan Fadem, gave them an incomparable

parting gift as she was moving out of St. Louis. Just before boarding her plane, she texted Linda and Ralph with the suggestion that they meet.

“If you knew Susan, you knew that when she speaks, you should listen. Luckily, we paid attention, and here we are,” Linda said. “Good luck followed us as we were able to keep Susan up to date on our budding romance before she passed away in September 2022.”

TRIBUTES

To make a tribute, visit stljewishlight.org/tribute

Danielle Rubin Diehl and Nick Diehl of Ladue announce the birth of their daughter, Ruby Rose Diehl, born on Jan. 22, 2024. Ruby weighed 7 lb. 2 oz. at birth.

Ruby is the granddaughter of Jane Tzinberg Rubin and Ken Rubin of Frontenac, and Kevin and Roberta Diehl of Chicago. She is the great-granddaughter of Shirley and the late Marvin Tzinberg, and the late Maurine and Mahlon Rubin, all of St. Louis.

Ruby is named for Danielle’s family surname, and Rose is in memory of several great grandmothers and aunts. “Ruby Rose” also honors Danielle and Nick’s two uncles Rich and Robert Ruby is also welcomed by her brother John Martin (Marty) Diehl who is 3 years old.

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

Thanks to the generous support of the Harvey Kornblum Foundation, members of the St. Louis Jewish community can submit simcha announcements for free. Submit an announcement for your family’s recent simcha (birth, bar/bat mitzvah, engagement, wedding or major anniversary): How to submit your family’s simcha announcement

stljewishlight.org/simchas

BIRTH: RUBY ROSE DIEHL

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.

GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY

VIEW MORE ONLINE: stljewishlight.org/multimedia

WOMEN’S SEDHER

On April 24 Temple Emanuel held its Women Sedher — a non-traditional seder for women that Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh created 10 years ago to connect with women (confirmation age and older). It was an evening of eating, sharing and light learning with no Haggadah. Attendance included 55 members and guests who enjoyed a potluck Passover meal and discussed courage and the story of Pesach.

CONGREGATION TEMPLE ISRAEL

SECOND NIGHT SEDER

Below, Temple Israel shared photos of their Second Night Seder for Adults on April 23.

TEMPLE EMANUEL

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 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.

TUESDAY | MAY 28

MindMatters at Mirowitz Center

Enjoy this safe, welcoming space to share experiences, feelings and thoughts with other adults who are also facing the challenges of aging from 10-11 a.m. The free, in-person monthly group is led by licensed social worker Sharon Elliott, and trained facilitators with Provident Behavioral Health. No cost to register, but RSVP is required. Supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged.

‘The Week in Review’

Expertly moderated by Harvey Gerstein and Marilyn Alton, “The Week in Review,” from 10-11 a.m., 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 and is both in-person and online.

WEDNESDAY | MAY 29

Mirowitz Center session on virtual museum tours

Learn to tour world-famous museum collections and exhibits from the comfort of your home. From noon-1 p.m., Trainer Daniel Landsbaum explores some of these virtual galleries, and digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life! No cost to register, but RSVP is required.

THURSDAY | MAY 30

Mahjongg game play at Mirowitz Center

If you love Mahjongg, join from noon to 4 p.m. at this St. Louis Senior Olympics event, organized by The J and hosted at the Mirowitz Center. Co-sponsored by Senior Kollel, which will provide a free boxed lunch. Registration (there is a charge) via The J (314442-3164).

ARTS IN STL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29

Music at the Intersection 2024 recently announced its lineup for Sept. 14 and 15 with featured artists such as Black Puma, Chaka Khan, Big Boi, Esperanza Spalding, Samara Joy, Chingy and more. The festival is produced by KAF’s Hansen, who says that this year’s Music at the Intersection is smarter and more focused than before.

In his article in Forbes, writer Chadd Scott notes,“Chuck Berry, Miles Davis and

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

STARTING | MAY 30

New Jewish Theatre presents ‘We All Fall Down’

See related news brief on page 6.

SUNDAY | JUNE 2

Kol Rinah hosts discussion on ‘Who Wrote the Torah?’

At 4 p.m. Kol Rinah’s Verein presents a Zoom discussion led by Richard Gavatin on “Who Wrote the Torah.” Visit kolrinahstl. org/form/biblical-criticism-part-3.html to register or email ralphjgraff@gmail for more information.

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 5

Young Israel of St. Louis plans gala

See related news brief on page 8.

Opera Theatre docent discusses ‘La Boheme’ Romance. Heartbreak. Music. A chance encounter ignites romance between seamstress Mimi and poet Rodolfo. Their love flourishes at first, but reality casts a dark shadow over their idyllic affair. Kathleen Sitzer, a docent from Opera Theatre of St. Louis, tells the story, provides background and plays excerpts from Giacomo Puccini’s tragedy from 1-2 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center. Free, but RSVP required.

Nelly are all St. Louisans. Top that! The city is a hotbed for blues, jazz, rock and roll, R&B and hip-hop. These are the credentials that Grand Center is building on.”

And this from Preezy Brown of Vibe: “Music at the Intersection is an attraction meant to bring visitors and residents together through art and performance, and places a special emphasis on homegrown talent.”

KAF has six theaters and a circus tent with spaces that range from 50-to-2,400seat capacity.

Some of the theater companies in residence include Ignite, Fly North Theatricals, The Midnight Company,

Singers – led by Robert Denison – are ready to celebrate music that’s as American as apple pie from 1-2 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center. Help celebrate our country’s spirit and history with your friends and neighbors by signing up for this program today. No cost to register, but RSVP is required.

SUNDAY | JUNE 9

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). While JWV typically meets on the third Sunday of the month, this month was changed due to Father’s Day.

THURSDAY | JUNE 13

THURSDAY | JUNE 6

Mirowitz Center trainer leads session on Change.org

In this hands-on workshop from noon to 1 p.m., Mirowitz Center Trainer Daniel Landsbaum demonstrates how to browse petitions, sign up for a Change.org account and even start your own petition.

Say Cheese: A Shavuot Odyssey

Join us for a spiritually uplifting Shavuot holiday program from 2-3 p.m. at the Mirowitz Center, led by Rabbi Gidon Nitsun, director of Senior Kollel. Enjoy delicious cheesecake, symbolizing the sweetness of the Torah. Program is co-sponsored by Senior Kollel, an organization providing intellectually stimulating, spiritually uplifting, and socially gratifying Jewish experiences for people ages 50+. No cost to register, but RSVP is required.

FRIDAY | JUNE 7

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

You’re a Grand Ol’ Flag

Just in time for Flag Day (June 14) and 4th of July, the Mirowitz Center Community

Metro Theater Company, New Line Theatre, Tennessee Williams Company, Upstream Theatre, Circus Flora and Tesseract Theatre. Some of these companies specialize in musical theater while others are aimed at children and/or people with disabilities. They are all special and different and perform in the various KAF venues such as the .Zack, the Grandel, the Marcelle, the Kranzberg and Central Stage. Look at the KAF calendar or Google the individual theater company to find out what is going on. Some of the dance troupes are Karlovsky Dance Company, Big Muddy

Lilith Readers Book Club with Rabbi Amy Feder

This Book Club is inspired by Lilith, one of the fiercest forgotten women of Jewish literature. Prior to each meeting, we’ll read a book by or about Jewish women, each taking place during a different time period, so we’ll learn a little history, enjoy some fantastic novels, and bring to light some forgotten figures of the Jewish past over a nosh and some great discussions. From 7-8 p.m at Congregation Temple Israel. Light refreshments provided. Feel free to BYO wine or other treats to share. The book is “Don’t Forget to Write” by Sara Goodman Confino. RSVP required at: www.ti-stl.org/AdultEducation

ONGOING

Kol Chadash musical Shabbat service at Kol Rinah

This live prayer service will feature music with acoustic instruments, bringing together beautiful melodies and words of Torah to create a deep and moving prayer experience. Participants can come together at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays at Kol Rinah to find spiritual meaning and fulfillment through music, harmony, joy and spirit. For more information, visit kolrinahstl.org or call 314727-1747.

Dance Company, St. Louis Ballet, Consuming Kinetics and the St. Louis Story Stitchers, which combines theater, music and dance.

And St. Louis University dance and theater productions are performed mostly at the Grandel Theater.

KAF currently has plans for two new buildings, which were recently saved from being demolished. They will both be mixeduse and have concert space that will provide new and exciting experiences for all. Grand Center and Midtown are really hopping areas giving St. Louis a fresh, new feel and look in the arts and culture.

Rabbi Gidon Nitsun of St. Louis Kollel will discuss ‘Say Cheese: A Shavuot Odyssey’ on June 6 at the Mirowitz Center. This year, Shavuot begins at sundown on Tuesday, June 11 and ends at nightfall on Thursday, June 13.

Rabbi Amy Feder