8 minute read
ChaiLights
YOUR CALENDAR OF ST. LOUIS JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENTS
JAN
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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.
SATURDAY | Jan. 22
Studies show that only 8% of people keep their New Year’s resolutions. If you are trying to avoid “following the crowd” with this statistic, be sure to attend Nusach Hari B’nai Zion’s Rabbi Ze’ev Smason’s discussion “Tips to Sticking with Your New Year’s Resolutions” at 10:15 a.m. This talk is part of NHBZ’s weekly “Starting Points: Wisdom for Daily Living,” which features interactive discussions that explore relevant, contemporary topics. NHBZ membership is not necessary to attend and RSVP’s are not required. For more information, call 314991-2100, ext. 2.
STARTING | Jan. 23
Winter Used Book Sale at the J
See related news brief on page 5.
TUESDAY | Jan. 25
J Associates event: ‘Small Changes...Big Rewards’
From 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. J Associates will hold a free virtual event, “Small Changes... Big Rewards,” featuring Michelle Rubin, a psychotherapist and meditation and mindfulness guide, and author Juli Berwald. Rubin will discuss small changes to improve selfcare, reduce stress and make a big difference in our daily lives. She will also lead the group in a brief meditation. Berwald, who has written for The New York Times, National Geographic and Slate and is the author of “Spineless,” will use science of the ocean as a muse and metaphor for the way small changes can have outsized impacts. Free. RSVP required: jccstl.com/smallchanges. All in attendance will have the opportunity to win a prize. For more information, contact J Annual Fund Manager Beth Box at bbox@ jccstl.org or 314-442-3109.
Coffee Talk with SnL welcomes Joe Olivastro
Coffee Talk with SnL welcome Joe Olivastro at 8:30 a.m. A certified personal trainer, Olivastro will be adapting basic movement skills to increase your balance, strengthen your core and improve your agility. Explore strategies and techniques that you can use to enhance your ability to perform everyday tasks. No equipment needed, just a chair. Wear comfortable clothing. To RSVP visit: https://bit.ly/Jan22CT
STARTING | Jan. 25
Chabad of Chesterfield starts book club series
See related news brief on page 5.
Bryan Rigg (left) and Sharon Berry are leading an International Holocaust Remembrance Day program on Jan. 26.
WEDNESDAY | Jan. 26
International Holocaust Remembrance Day program
At 6 p.m., St. Louis County Library and the Hannah Ida Urman Foundation will present a free virtual program for International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Speakers include WWII military historian and author Bryan Rigg and Hannah Ida Urman Foundation cofounder Sharon Berry. The event will look at the Catholic Church’s response during WWII, as the Nazi party rose in power and waged war across Europe. The program is intended for adults. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email after registering. A recording of this virtual program will be available on the St. Louis County Library’s YouTube page within three business days. Visit https://bit.ly/Jan26-SLCL to RSVP.
STARTING | Jan. 26
Rabbi Andrea Goldstein and Eve Dyson will lead the Jewish Mindfulness Center’s “Let It Ripple: A Tikkun Middot Series” from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on Zoom on Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 and 9. Tikkun Middot combines musar (ethical) study with mindfulness practices to bring deeper meaning to our daily lives and expand our understanding of what it means to be human. This session’s topics include exploring with the qualities of strength, anger and faithfulness. This offering is free, though registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Stacy Jespersen at sjespersen@sestl.org.
THURSDAY | Jan. 27
WashU doctor discusses multiple sclerosis
Dr. Salim Chahin of Washington University will discuss “MS: Its Symptoms, Current Treatment & Advances Being Made in its Treatment” at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Chahin is a leading researcher in his field. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Chahin questions. Register for this free online program at http://bit.ly/Register_MirowitzCenter or by calling 314-733-9813 or via email to joliver@mirowitzcenter.org.
Tech Tutor: Online safety
From 10 to 11 a.m. Nick Warmann will discuss how to stay safe online. Warmann, a cybersecurity major with a technology background, will share his expertise about protecting one’s digital devices, passwords, privacy settings, internet safety and other security-related items. Tech Tutor is supported by a grant from the Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged. Register for this free online program at http://bit.ly/Register_ MirowitzCenter or by calling 314-733-9813 or via email to joliver@mirowitzcenter.org.
Movie night at Kol Rinah
View a documentary produced locally by Peter Tao of Tao + Lee Associates called “Day One,” following a group of teenage refugees from war-torn countries who are enrolled at a St. Louis public school for refugees and immigrants. Afterwards, enjoy a discussion by the people involved with the movie. The event will be hosted at Kol Rinah, 7791 Maryland Ave. The event will start with networking at 4:30 p.m., the film at 4:45 and the discussion at 6. For more information or to register, visit https://crewstl.org/events/specialevents/2022-01-26-dei-movie-night. The cost is $20 ($10 donation to Afghan Refugees). Proof of vaccination or a negative test within 36 hours are required. Masks are required when moving about the building.
Discussion of ‘German Youth Who Resisted’
On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Fred Stopsky will lead a 2 p.m. discussion on “German Youth Who Resisted in World War II.” Stopsky, a former teacher in southern Missouri, was involved with the St. Louis Holocaust Museum at the time of its inception and, over many years, has made numerous presentations to teachers, students and church groups in southern Missouri about the Holocaust. This program is co-sponsored by the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. Register for this free online program at http://bit.ly/Register_ MirowitzCenter or by calling 314-733-9813 or via email to joliver@mirowitzcenter.org.
THURSDAY | Feb. 3
Nishmah salon with Susan Block
Join Nishmah with special guest Susan E. Block, an attorney at Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal, P.C. in Clayton at 7 p.m. via Zoom when the Ilene Joseph Salon Series presents “HERstory: A Conversation with Susan E. Block.” She will share her story and provide insights on LGBTQ inclusion in the Jewish community. Register at nishmah.org. For more information, contact Vickie Shuchart at 314-4423111 or vshuchart@jccstl.org. Salons are free and open to anyone who identifies as a woman.
Susan E. Block
SATURDAY | Feb. 5
A Havdalah service of healing and hope
The healing power of music has been lifted up by religious practitioners and philosophers and is confirmed by medical studies. Listening to live music can reduce anxiety and pain. Whether you, yourself, are wrestling with illness or stress, are praying for a loved one or would like to connect with others to pray for the healing of our world, Shaare Emeth invites you to join Rabbi Andrea Goldstein, Cantor Seth Warner and harpist, Amy Camie, for this service of healing and hope, set for 4:30 p.m. in the Kehillah Center at Congregation Shaare Emeth or online. To register, contact Stacy Jespersen at sjespersen@sestl.org.
FRIDAY | Feb. 11
Prayer Lab is Back
At 6 p.m. join Rabbi Goldstein, Lucy Greenbaum and the Prayer Lab musicians for this non-traditional Shabbat service combining contemporary readings, poetry, participatory music, interactive teachings, and time set aside for meditation and personal reflection. The theme for this month is light and dark. Whether you are joining online or in-person, worshippers are encouraged to come with open minds and open hearts. All are welcome. To register, contact Stacy Jespersen at sjespersen@sestl.org. Prayer Lab participants should park on the north side of the building and enter via the north lobby.
ONGOING
ChillZone at NHBZ
Calling all kids ages 5th grade and up. Get in the ChillZone with other girls and boys from the St. Louis area at Nusach Hari B’nai Zion on Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy pizza, fun and prizes while exploring Judaic topics with NHBZ Assistant Rabbi Avi Okin. This program is free, and kids and families do not need to be members of NHBZ to attend. For more information, go to chillzone@thezone.org or call Rabbi Okin at 862438-4094.
Rabbi leads weekly meditation
Join Rabbi Andrea Goldstein at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and 5 p.m. on Thursdays for mindfulness meditation sits. Incorporating lessons from the weekly Torah portion, as well as stories, rituals and symbols of the season, No meditation experience necessary. Questions? Contact Stacy Jespersen at sjespersen@sestl.org.
Rabbi Gordon: JCRC, J Street, divisiveness and tolerance
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
any case, the Torah and rabbis expressed the idea more specifically in law and with more color in narrative. Whatever the reason, we see concerns that abstractions do not always serve us well. In this case, are there limits to tolerance? If tolerance means suspending our thinking as if no views (or behaviors) are beyond the pale, it is unwise and dangerous.
Some Jews and Jewish groups have espoused expelling all Arabs from Israel, or advocating their death, or calling for the end of Israel as a Jewish state — should we defend them and include them under the banner of tolerance and diversity? What about Jewish organizations promoting the innate biological superiority or inferiority of a race? Tolerance has limits.
Words like racist and apartheid (or Nazi) applied to Israel are absurdly false, radical distortions, that aim to delegitimize Israel. Moreover, false analogies cheapen their meaning. In addition, they are inflammatory and feed ignorance and hatred and are used by enemies of Israel and Jews — not for love, but for hate, as weapons. They do not further peace; they polarize conflict.
Jewish groups that employ these words — either because they believe them, or because they find them provocative and attention-getting, or to forge alliances — do great harm to Israel and the Jewish people and genuine peace. One does not have to be anti-Palestinian or anti-Arab to be pro-Israel, but inflamed distorted vocabulary polarizes by making it appear so. I am pro-dignity, love, tolerance, and respect for Palestinians — Torah teaching does not permit us to dismiss Palestinian suffering while also opposing the radical ideas and policies of groups and leadership that seek to delegitimize and destroy Israel, the Jewish people, and historical truth.
Advocate for the ger, but be careful with your words. Do not distort or inflame, do not exacerbate Jew against Jew, and do not polarize supporters of Israel. Do not make it harder for us to care about our fellow Jews and the ger. One path is a machloket she-lo l’shem shamayim — people will continue to suffer and die; the other a machloket l’shem shamayim that can eventually lead to genuine peace.
