2024
FALL ARTS GUIDE
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A N O N P R O FIT, IN D EP EN D EN T N E W S S O U R CE TO I N F O R M , I N S P I R E , E D U C AT E A N D CO N N E C T T H E S T. LO U I S J E W I S H CO M M U N IT Y.
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How local colleges are supporting Jewish students JORDAN PALMER
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NCJW’s Couturier turns 60 Longtime shoppers share tips for making the most of beloved annual designer sale BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
As if devotees of this fashion extravaganza needed another reason to get excited, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the annual Couturier sale at the Resale Shop, a key initiative of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis. In honor of this milestone anniversary sale, which takes place Sept. 25-28, we’re bringing out the “big guns,” or in this case some longtime, experienced Couturier shoppers to talk scope, strategy and sustenance. Honestly, you need to understand — and perfect — all three to accomplish a clothing and accessories haul that will likely prove amazing, or at the very least, really, really good. But before we consult our experts, let’s
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thread the needle and stitch some facts together. The annual Couturier sale showcases an impressive selection — as in more than 25,000 curated pieces this year — of gently used, high-quality designer clothing and accessories for women, men and children, as well as home décor items. Designers highlighted at the sale include Burberry, Kate Spade, St. John, Lululemon, Gucci, Ferragamo, Eileen Fisher and Michael Kors. Shoppers can find these brands and many more at about a third, or even less, of their original retail prices. This event features the best of a year’s worth of donations, saved exclusively for this fourday occasion. All proceeds from the Couturier sale support NCJWSTL’s community service and advocacy projects
Resale Shop/Couturier by the Numbers: 87,000: Donations a year 35,000: Customers a year 200,000 items: Items the shop sells over 3,000 hours: Given by volunteers each year 25,000: Items curated for Couturier 8,972: Social media followers aimed at enhancing the lives of women, children and families in the St. Louis area. The first day of the sale, Wednesday, Sept. 25, is basically for those who want first dibs and don’t mind paying to shop for bargains. This year, in honor of 60 years, NCJWSTL is starting the sale earSee COUTURIER on page 8
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Jewish students returned to several St. Louis-area universities in August with both anticipation and concern. The past year has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents on college campuses nationwide, affecting institutions like Washington University (WashU) and St. Louis University (SLU). From inflammatory protests to hostile rhetoric, Jewish students face increasing challenges. In response, universities across St. Louis, along with campus organizations like Hillel and Chabad, have acted to support Jewish students and ensure their safety.
The climate on campus The spring semester of 2024 saw a rise in antisemitic activities, with campuses like WashU and SLU experiencing several incidents, including confrontational protests. Despite these challenges, Tim Mellman, a junior at WashU, remains optimistic about the upcoming year. “At the start of summer, I was hopeful a ceasefire would be reached before we returned to campus. As time went on, it became clear that wasn’t the case, but I remained optimistic. The Jewish community at WashU is more united than ever in fighting antisemitism, and we have a strong relationship with the university administration.” Jackie Levey, CEO of WashU Hillel, emphasized the importance of these connections: “Last year’s events underscored the need for strong relationships with campus colleagues and the administration. These ties were crucial for open communication on everything from safety to timely information sharing.” At SLU, the administration has taken steps to address Jewish students’ concerns and enhance campus safety. “We strive to ensure that every student, including those of Jewish faith, feels safe and that their spiritual identity is respected,” said Donney K.M. See STUDENTS on page 7
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