JFED CONNECTS AN UPDATE OF WHAT’S HAPPENING AT JEWISH FEDERATION OF ST. LOUIS
MAY/JUNE 2015
JFedSTL.org
From our Chair, Patricia Croughan
INSIDE From Debbie Chase ....... 2 JBuzz e-newsletter........ 2 Vibe in the Tribe............ 2 Lou-au Pool Party.......... 3 Coaching Skills Training Program........................ 3 NORC Award ................ 3 HMLC Exhibit Opens .... 3 Inclusion Mini-Grants .... 4 Tap into YPD ................. 4 Art & Writing Contest Winners......................... 4
At a recent meeting, a young man asked me the seemingly simple question of "What does Federation do?" The question, asked in seconds, took much longer to answer, because Jewish Federation of St. Louis does so many things, plays many roles, and wears many hats. It is funder, evaluator, grant maker, community convener, planner, and fundraiser. It has programmatic functions as well: you may not know that the Millstone Institute, the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, and the Brodsky Library are all actually departments of Jewish Federation of St. Louis. And all this is just for starters! It is because Jewish Federation of St. Louis is so active in so many areas of St. Louis Jewish life that it is hard to briefly describe what Federation does. To put it simply, Jewish Federation of St. Louis is the institution whose mission is to identify needs and to care for the entire community, not just a single agency or program. Together, with leaders from throughout the community, we analyze the challenges faced by our aging seniors, by intermarried families, by the disabled members of our community, by next gen college students, by our synagogues and schools, and we identify and care about
critical issues before us like food insecurity and poverty in the Jewish community. Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ job is to care about ALL the organizations that serve our Jewish community both here in St. Louis, in Israel and in the former Soviet Union. And it is Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ job to identify new and innovative ideas for engagement and service. All this takes careful planning, and this past winter Jewish Federation of St. Louis completed the first community demographic study in almost 20 years. This is a planning function that no single agency could undertake, and that Jewish Federation of St. Louis saw as essential to understanding who we are today, and what needs call out for attention that we may not as a community have met. Many of you have attended meetings to learn the study's results, and to discuss how to use this information for effective community planning. This is a great example of "what Federation does." Over the next few months, analysis and discussion of the study data will continue, and you are welcome to participate and learn together with our professional team. By the end of the summer, we hope to have identified key areas for community focus and investment going forward, as together we continue to strengthen our Jewish community.
From our CEO, Andrew Rehfeld The situation that unfolded in early May in Israel has been weighing on many of our hearts. As thousands gathered in Israel to protest the treatment of Ethiopians, one could not help but be reminded of recent events in the States. We stand with the clear statements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decrying any institutionalized racism. Jewish Federation of St. Louis has had an abiding commitment to our Ethiopian family even before their immigration to Israel. Our decision to join with Yokne’am and Megiddo in the 1990s as our partnership region was made in large part because of its leadership’s decision to welcome
Ethiopian immigrants with open arms during that time. In fact, our work in the region has been held up as a model for how to integrate the Ethiopian Jewish community into Israeli society; it is work we continue to support today. But we all recognize there is significant work yet to be done. We stand by the statements expressed in so many venues over the last few days, weeks and months: that systemic discrimination against any particular population, particularly on the basis of race, is unacceptable and a violation of our core Jewish values. We welcome the clarity of statements made today by Israeli top leadership. We will continue to work with our partner agencies here in the region, in Israel and anywhere there is a need, to advance the agenda of social justice for all.
From Debbie Chase, Vice President, Development For over a century, Jewish Federation of St. Louis has helped the lives of thousands here in St. Louis, in Israel and around the globe. With your renewed support, we can continue to build community connections that touch….
Over 13,000 local seniors being connected to housing, food, social services and help with everyday life More than 5,600 adults and children being connected to Jewish education and engagement Over 2,800 families and children being connected to humanitarian support in our partnership community in Israel, Yokneam & Megiddo
Approximately 25,000 young Jewish adults being connected to a Jewish experience and community And connections that sustain and grow our… Safety Net–At home, in Israel and around the world, we give back and make the world a better place. Vibrant Community–We strengthen existing institutions and develop bold new ways of connecting people. Safe Jewish World–We take a leadership role in the fight against bigotry, anti-Semitism, intolerance and injustice. Jewish Identity–We ensure the Jewish identity and engagement of our children and all future generations.
Join us in BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS. Together, we will continue to deepen our roots, build connections and strengthen our branches that ensure a continued bright future.
Learn more about building your community at our new microsite buildjewishstl.org
VIBE WITH THE TRIBE Get involved this summer with Vibe with the Tribe. Vibe with the Tribe helps college students to feel engaged with the St. Louis community through a series of interactive, educational and social events.
DO YOU RECEIVE OUR COMMUNITY’S BI-WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER, JBUZZ?
Don’t miss out on the latest news, events and opportunities to get involved in the Jewish community. Visit JewishinStLouis.org and enter your email address in the box “Join Our Mailing List’ to sign up.
Jews at the Zoo: Friday, June 12, 6:30 pm, St. Louis Zoo The Man Behind the Music: Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 pm, Pi Pizzeria Dinner for a Difference: Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 pm, BaiKu Sushi Lounge The Boys of Summer: Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 pm, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Inside Your Latte: Wednesday, July 29, 4:00 pm, Kaldi’s Roasting Facility Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Sunday, August 2, 1:15 pm, Busch Stadium Havdalah Under the Stars: Saturday, August 8, 6:30 pm, Creve Coeur Park Learn more and sign up by contacting Nate at NRosenblum@JFedSTL.org.
Saturday, June 13 8:30 pm-12:00 am
The J’s Staenberg Family Complex 2 Millstone Campus Drive
Open bar ∙ Live DJ ∙ Games and prizes Snacks will be served; dietary laws observed $5 suggested donation RSVP to NRosenblum@JFedSTL.org.
Thank you to our sponsors: Staenberg Family Foundation and Budweiser The beer for this event is proudly donated by Anheuser-Busch.
Images of CAPTURING HEARTS and MINDS:
PROPAGANDA AND DISINFORMATION
JEWISH COACHING ACADEMY'S
Coaching Skills Training Program™ “The Jewish Coaching Academy taught me questioning and listening skills, provided focused practice, and fostered many powerful conversations to become a more reflective leader,” shared Shannon Rohlman, Director of Academics at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School. Rabbi Shlomo Soroka, Executive Director of the St. Louis Kollel is enthusiastic when talking about the impact of the Jewish Coaching Academy. “By nature, I've always led my team more as a mentor and teacher, however, the Jewish Coaching Academy opened my eyes to a whole new and far more effective way of helping others reach their full potential, both professionally and in my personal life.” Both Shannon and Rabbi Soroko are participating monthly in the Millstone Institute’s 2015 Jewish Coaching Academy, advancing with colleagues and lay leaders, the training first facilitated last fall by Deborah Grayson Riegel of MyJewishCoach.com. The Millstone Institute Advisory Committee leadership recognized the importance of the coaching skills for managers and leaders. Mindi Mintz, Jewish Studies Principal at Torah Prep Girls shared, “The Millstone Institute’s Jewish Coaching Academy has transformed the way I listen.” Craig Neuman, JCC Director of Programming added, “The Jewish Coaching Academy has helped me develop skills to help others. Before, I would try and solve people’s problems with them. Now, I work to help others figure out how to solve their problems themselves.” The Jewish Coaching Academy in St. Louis was made possible by the Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of Jewish Federation St. Louis with a special additional allocation for scholarships from the Lubin-Green Foundation, in honor of Barry Rosenberg. To learn more, contact Marci Mayer Eisen at 314-442-3810 or MEisen@JFedSTL.org.
NORC AWARD The St. Louis Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) is thrilled to receive the news that Karen Berry-Elbert received the Harvey A. and Dorismae Hacker Friedman Award for Excellence in Service to Older Adults from the Center for Aging at Washington University. Karen has been the manager of NORC since 2002. The St. Louis NORC helps seniors age with dignity in their own homes by providing volunteer support to help them maintain their households, along with programs and social outreach that protects them against social isolationism, a key factor in senior decline. Thanks to Karen’s leadership and the entire staff and volunteers of NORC, the St. Louis NORC is a strong and vibrant program. Primary funding of the NORC comes froxm State government, with administrative support from Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Congratulations to Karen for her tremendous work and recognition.
HMLC EXHIBIT NOW OPEN A new exhibit, “Capturing Hearts and Minds: Images of Nazi Propaganda and Disinformation,” is now open at the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center. This exhibit, drawn from the archives of the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, demonstrates the breadth of Nazi propaganda used to indoctrinate the German nation, vilify the Jewish population and spread disinformation throughout Nazi Germany and the world. Additional events will take place at the Museum during the exhibit, open through September 20, 2015. A closing lecture will be given on Sunday, September 20 by Jonathan Wiesen, Professor, History Department, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Dr. Wiesen will discuss “Advertising in the Third Reich: Corporate Self-Promotion or Nazi Propaganda?” The exhibition and programs are generously supported by the Rubin (of blessed memory) and Gloria Feldman Family Education Institute of the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center and the Larry and Hannah Langsam Holocaust Program Endowment.
Jewish Federation of St. Louis has awarded $47,830 in grants to 15 Jewish schools, agencies and congregations for inclusive programs. This is the first time that Jewish Federation of St. Louis has gifted Inclusion Mini-Grants to help Jewish organizations become more inclusive to individuals with disabilities and their families. 2015 Inclusion grant recipients: • Aish HaTorah of Greater St. Louis–to ensure the building is accessible to all by repairing the building’s elevator. • Central Reform Congregation–to ensure the Congregation is accessible to all by providing open captioning for High Holiday services, installing a power access door at the front entry that would automatically open and purchasing Braille and large type prayer books. • Congregation B’nai Amoona–to serve as a community education resource by providing eight workshops throughout the year that would focus on raising awareness and inclusiveness at the Congregation and the Jewish community. • Congregation Shaare Emeth–to provide workshops, training and community meetings on inclusion by Matan, a nationally recognized Jewish organization that works on behalf of special needs children and families. • Congregation Temple Israel, Deutsch Early Childhood Center–to provide occupational therapist services to students with behavioral and developmental disabilities, 12 months to 5 years old. • Friends of Israel Scouts–Tzofim–to become a fully inclusive troop by providing counselors training, purchase of equipment and organize the “Celebrate the differences” program where kids participate in an activity without the use of one of their senses to help them gain insight of what it is like to have a disability. • Holocaust Museum & Learning Center–to allow individuals with physical disabilities access to the Museum independently by purchasing and installing a new lift with a power door that opens automatically for the person using the lift. • National Council of Jewish Women–St. Louis Section–to make the NCJW office accessible for all by converting two small bathrooms into one ADA bathroom. • Neve Shalom–to learn and address the issue of mental illness in the Jewish community by providing educational workshops to the community. • Nusach Hari B’nai Zion–to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in the Congregation’s activities by purchasing and installing a remote conference video system. • Ohr Atid, Light of the Future, Inc.–to create a Sunday school environment for kids and young adults with disabilities by pairing them with Washington University of St. Louis volunteer students. • Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community Day School–to support students with learning disabilities by providing 100 hours of speech therapy services during school day. • Torah Prep of St. Louis–to establish an Inclusion Center at school that would provide individualized and specialized education for students with physical, emotional and learning disabilities. • Traditional Congregation–to enhance services for seniors and members with disabilities by purchasing large print siddurim, new phone tree recording system and installation of two cement ramps for accessibility to the sukkah. • United Hebrew Congregation–to ensure the congregation is accessible for all by installing permanent assistive listening system in the sanctuary, auditorium and chapel.
TAP INTO YPD SERIES
33 TEENS WIN IN 13TH ANNUAL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM ART & WRITING CONTEST Nearly 900 students from middle schools and high schools throughout the bi-state area submitted pieces to the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center’s 13th annual Art and Writing Contest. The 33 winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on Monday, May 11, at 7 pm in the Holocaust Museum Theater at Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Kopolow Building. More than $2,900 in cash prizes will be awarded to 33 winners. As in previous years, the contest is dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million children who perished during the Holocaust and in honor of the Galls’ grandchildren.Winning submissions will be displayed in the Holocaust Museum Theater and at other locations to be determined. Judges for the visual art entries were members of the arts community, Jeff Hartz, John Lesser and Mary Ann Srenco. Judges for writing were Loie Riehl, retired educator, Judi Scissors, retired educator, and Sandy Snodgrass, retired teacher, currently with Webster University. For a list of the 2015 Art and Writing Contest winners, visit HMLC.org/ArtAndWriting.
Discover different ways to “Tap into YPD” with this monthly happy hour at various hot spots around town. No cover to participate and there are often great happy hour specials. There will always be a friendly YPD face to greet you even if it is your first time at an event. May 28: Moonrise Hotel Rooftop Bar, 6177 Delmar Blvd., 63112 June 18: Orbit Pinball Lounge, 7401 Hazel Ave., 63143 July 23: Brick House Tavern + Tap, 2 McBride & Son Center Dr., 63005 August 20: Central Table, 23 South Euclid Ave., 63108 September 17: McGurk’s, 1200 Russell Blvd., 63104 October 22: Avenue, 12 N Meramec Ave, 63105 RSVP to DRevah@JFedSTL.org.
2015 HONOREE IMPROVING RACIAL EQUALITY & SOCIAL JUSTICE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AND LEARNING CENTER