All about THE HOLIDAYS text study with the Rabbis

Take a “text study” tour of the Jewish holidays!

Join Temple Israel’s Rabbis, Amy Feder & Michael Alper, at one or all of these text study courses where we’ll dig deeper into the meaning of each through Torah, Talmud, and texts.

All About Passover

Sunday, April 3, 9:45-11:15 am

On Zoom or in the classroom

The texts of the Passover Seder Haggadah range from song to storytelling, but each is a pedagogical masterpiece intended to share the story of the exodus from Egypt with all kinds of learners.

All About the “Yoms”

Sunday, April 24, 9:45-11:15 am

On Zoom or in the classroom

The “holidays of Israel” are all newer holidays created following the Holocaust and the birth of the modern State of Israel. Poetry and other modern writings help underscore the importance of these newly created holidays in the ongoing history of the Jewish people.

All About Shavuot

Tuesday, May 31, 7-8 pm

On Zoom

On Shavuot, we celebrate receiving the 10 commandments, and the Book of Ruth helps us connect the idea of choosing Judaism for ourselves, as we continue to find our place in Jewish history.

Open to the community!

ing,” said Landa, 31. “For many, it was a moment of pause in their lives. People asked themselves, ‘What am I missing in my life?’ And for lots of the folks out here, the answer was Jewish community. When we came out here knocking on doors, people were very, very receptive and, I would say, eager to get involved.”

The Landas used some of the same innovative ideas employed by their colleagues within the Chabad of Greater St. Louis network: Seder-to-Go kits available for pickup; outdoor, socially distanced Rosh Hashanah in the park gatherings; and the popular public Hanukkah menorah lightings.

The first night of the Festival of Lights on Dec. 28 drew a big crowd for the Hanukkah on Main Street celebration in Old St. Charles. It occurred mere feet from a Christmas tree and sled. More than 400 people joined, Jews and nonJews, all of whom shared at least one thing: they loved the jelly doughnuts and gelt drop from a huge ladder extended from a St. Charles fire truck.

Before planning the menorah lighting, Landa had just finished another major event, a Jewish cultural and food festival, along the Missouri River at the St. Charles Foundry Arts Centre.

“It’s safe to say over 1,000 people attended,” he said. “I’d say about 75% of those who came to the festival were Jewish. And that’s great. We’re here for the entire community.”

Of course, it’s not just non-Jews the

Landas seek to educate about Judaism. Many of the St. Charles Jews who attend Chabad are seeking to learn more about their heritage. A Shabbat morning Torah study group at the St. Charles Chabad offers a lesson and open discussion that ties the Torah portion for the week into current events and issues. That fosters both relevance and approachability.

Another popular series of events is handled by Bassy Landa, a working mother who’s handy with crafts. It’s called Mommy and Me and is a program for the young Jewish families in St. Charles.

“The inspiration behind our Mommy and Me group, and really the Jewish

Family Network as a whole, is to create a child-friendly, and a young parent-friendly space, that allows for this important demographic to connect, bond and build Jewish community together,” she said. “It’s been such a blessing to witness this

See ST. CHARLES continued on page 36