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SPOTLIGHT
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DEVELOPMENT
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Baby Child Tween Teen
Finding a Babysitter Black History Month Choosing Friends Start That Engine
LOCAL
Student ArtistSHOWCASE
Ten-year-old Jerry Chang is a piano student at the Community Music School of Webster University studying under Zena Ilyashov for the past six years, having started at the age of four. In 2017, he won third prize at the prestigious Kaufman International Youth Piano Competition, Junior Division, in New York City. He attends Forsyth School in Clayton and when he's not playing the piano, he pursues his favorite sport, soccer.
The Radio Arts Foundation presents it new program series titled, Kaleidoscope – A Next Generation Artist Concert. This inaugural live broadcast will feature Jerry Chang, as well as exceptional chamber ensembles from the Community Music School of Webster University. A wine and cheese reception will follow the concert. Reservations are requested at rafstl.org. For questions, call 314-881-3523. (Or listen at Classic 107.3 or 96.3 HD2, or on your computer or Smartphone.)
How truly delicious healthy can be. Our uplifting flavors may be the sweetest part about staying healthy. In every bottle of Karuna, we aim to deliver a rich, flavor-filled beverage experience that is full of nutritious vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will care for your body, and surprise your taste buds. Find our products at these locations: Whole Foods, United Provisions, Global Foods Market, Straub’s, Dierbergs, Fresh Thyme, Grand Hall Market in Union Station and various yoga studios throughout St. Louis.
Learn more at MyKaruna.com
FEB
WHAT’S INSIDE
2018 ARTICLES
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
SPECIAL FEATURES 6
Jewish Rock Radio
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
BABY CHILD TWEEN TEEN
Our February Cover Kid is Gabriel. St. Louis Jewish Parents Magazine features St. Louis kids on our cover every issue. Photo by Spoonful of Sugar Photography.
Finding a Babysitter Black History Month Choosing Friends Start That Engine
12 16 22 28
DADDY & ME BOAZ ROTH 40
...More than just a game for two FROM THE CONCIERGE’S DESK
36
Taxed?
By Jeremy Klaven, CPA, MBA, CGMA NUTRITION NUGGETS DR. KATHY MORA 32
Supplementing 26
Acne
Yasher Koach! Welcome New Advertisers
43 42
VOICE OF GENERATION J
8
Cousins
Normal Rough Patch? By Dr. Susan Randich
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEBRUARY CALENDAR Jewish, Secular, Seniors, & School/ Synagogue Events
44
JEWISH HOLIDAY EXPLAINED
38
Purim NEWS & BOOKS
24
Dream On
JUST FOR FUN 44
Hearty Russian Chicken Stew 34
Bragging Rights JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
54
COOKING CORNER
By Ben Yazdi SENIOR STYLE
“BABY” BUSINESSES
By Jennifer Baer Lotsoff, MSW
By Dr. Elizabeth Nieman
FEB 2018
COMMUNITY
HAPPENING IN FEBRUARY
FROM THE DOCTOR
4
SPOTLIGHT 18
OOPS! TOP TEN
30
Bad Parent Moments 27
PLAYROOM 14 Fun Facts: Royalty Word of the Month: Queen PLUS: Chess • Jokes • Analogies
2018 ART & WRITING CONTEST
The Art & Writing contest is a wonderful opportunity for middle and high school students who have visited the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center or studied the Holocaust in their classrooms to respond creatively to what they have learned. We are currently accepting submissions for the 2018 Art & Writing contest. Cash prizes will be awarded. Visit HMLC.org/Events/Student-Art-Writing-Contest to learn more and to download the 2018 Contest Entry Form. All entries must be in the office of the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, April 13, 2018 (postmark not accepted) or delivered before that date to the Holocaust Museum & Learning Center. Mail or deliver contest entries to: St. Louis Holocaust Museum & Learning Center 12 Millstone Campus Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
Dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. IN HONOR OF THE GRANDCHILDREN OF DR. IRA* AND JUDITH GALL *Of Blessed Memory
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SMALL BATCH. SCRATCH MADE. Every creamy ice cream concoction we create is made with 100% all-natural ingredients. Nothing artificial ever sees our kitchen. None of our ice creams contain artificial flavorings, dyes, fillers or stabilizers that aren't 100% natural. All of the dairy we use is from local, grass-fed, pasture-raised, hormone and rBST-free cows. We take pride in our small-batch, handcrafted ice cream, and you’ll taste the love in every bite. 314.858.6100 . 1637 S. 18th Street . Lafayette Square . St. Louis, MO 63104 HOURS: SUN - THURS 11a-10p . FRI - SUN 11a-11p
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FEB 2018
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LETTER FROM THE
EDITOR
Trust Yourself Recently, I had someone ask me if I would be able to stay connected with parents of young babies, even though I myself didn’t have a newborn. I was asked if I could still have good articles in the magazine for this group of readers. After shrugging off the initial, insulted feeling, I paused to think about the question. It was a good question. Then, it happened-- the lightbulb turned on! The questions we have as parents are similar to those of all previous generations. The questions of future parents are also likely to be similar. Further, when I give my “advice” to soon-to-be parents, I feel transported back to my younger self. I don’t connect with younger parents from the point of “Been there, don’t remember it.” More importantly, I am not afraid to ASK for topic ideas! The magazine stays connected when readers provide feedback and suggestions. The actual articles are research-based ones, not personal opinion pieces. Hence, as long as the topics are relevant and connected, the articles will be too.
STEPHANIE BERK, PH.D. Stephanie Berk, author of “How to Potty-Train Your Dragon Child”, is a mother of 4 boys. She has a degree in Human Development & Family Studies from Cornell University, a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from University of Connecticut, a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Language Acquisition from Haskins Laboratory/Yale University, and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Neuroimaging from Washington University.
Grateful for the high reader engagement component, I reviewed the “advice” I give to soon-to-be-parents. Perhaps, mine need an update. Nope! I think that my advice is still helpful. For example, I tell prospective parents: “You will hear tons of advice, since everyone has their own opinions and experiences. It is okay to say, ‘Thank you. We will consider that.’, and then not do what was suggested. Most advice given is well-intentioned. However, my advice is to: Smile politely when hearing the suggestions, discuss the ones you might consider with your significant other, discard the rest, and trust your own instincts. You and your significant other know your baby best, and what to do. Learning to trust yourself comes over time, but knowing to try to trust yourself is something that often needs to be heard at least once. You can do this!” The more I think about it, the more I realize that trusting oneself applies not only to babies, but to parenting children as they grow. The more I think about it, the more I recognize that even as an adult, I feel relieved when someone tells me that it is okay to trust my instincts on aspects of my life, even when things are so hard that I want the non-existent crystal ball to help me decide on how to proceed.
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
Stephanie
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WEB MANAGEMENT Eric Rosen AD SALES adsales@stlouisjewishparents.com EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS Mr. Andrew Oberman, President Mr. Brian Goldman, Vice President PRINTED BY Breese Printing & Publishing, St Louis MO The publisher has support from a 2015 Innovation Grant from the Jewish Federation of Saint Louis.
St. Louis Jewish Parents Magazine A Jewish Parents Media Group Publication. Published monthly. P.O. Box 31724, Saint Louis, MO 63131 Email: info@stlouisjewishparents.com Website: www.stlouisjewishparents.com St. Louis Jewish Parents Magazine is distributed to locations throughout the St. Louis area. Distribution of this publication does not constitute endorsement of content, advertisements, products, and or services. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or submission not in keeping with the publication’s standards. All contents herein are protected by copyright, and may not be reproduced in any manner or form without obtaining permission in writing from the publisher. © Copyright 2014-2018 Jewish Parents Media Group. All rights reserved.
PRICE YOUR HOME RIGHT & SELL IT RIGHT NOW!
In today’s market, it is critical to price your home properly. Unless your Realtor is a State Certified and Designated appraiser, you are risking your most valuable investment. When you put the Levison/Welner Team to work for you, that’s exactly what you get, whether you are Buying or Selling your home. Sherri Welner has 30+ years of selling St. Louis and Marty Levison is the President of Levison Appraisal, one of the oldest appraisal companies in St. Louis. Let us help you price your home right and sell your home “RIGHT” now.
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
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THE VOICE OF GENERATION J OUR GENERATION OUR FUTURE
Cousins by Ben Yazdi
I nervously adjusted the slope of the PVC pipe I was holding so that neither the ball nor my green Tzahal kippah would fall before the next person was ready to catch the ball. Next to me was a girl wearing a hijab, a student from Al-Manara Academy who like me was participating in Operation Cooperation. The ball successfully rolled onto her section of the pipe, and I ran behind her and our other teammates from St. Monica Catholic School and Kirk Christian Day School to catch and attach my section to continue the passing of the ball. Phew, I thought when our team successfully passed the ball into a bucket, completing the task. [continued pg 10]
[ Photo Credit: Shana Watkins Photography ]
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
Ben Yazdi
8th Grade Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School
St. Louis Jewish Parents
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9
[Voice of Generation J, Cont. from pg 9]
“We weren’t judging each other, but rather simply accepting one another. ”
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I
was a third grader at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, at the time participating in a program called Operation Cooperation. The goal of the program is to promote healthy communication between Christian, Jewish, Catholic and Muslim children. This is done through fun activities that build teamwork skills that encourage kids to set aside our differences for a common goal. The activities gave us a more diverse social exposure and really helped us understand that we are all just kids. We all like to have fun, feel loved, and feel successful. Looking back, I didn’t even consider attire or skin color while we were working and playing together. All I cared about was our shared goal for the day… getting the ball into the bucket. This past summer, I gathered with all of my cousins both Jewish and Muslim for the first time in many years. It was on the occasion of my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary. The nine of us cousins played Risk and Backgammon, ate our Maamaan-joon’s (Grandmother in Farsi) Persian food, and talked about our shared love of math, science, and tahdig (the coveted burnt layer of Persian rice). My cousins and I spent
St. Louis Jewish Parents
time having fun together giving our grandparents a moment of pleasure. We weren’t judging each other, but rather simply accepting one another. I saw our similarities and our differences and I was okay with all of them. I feel fortunate to come from a family that holds Torah values dear to our hearts and to go to a pluralistic Jewish school where I have learned that there are many ways to be Jewish. I’m only fourteen, and sometimes kids my age feel awkward, weird, or even cautious when talking about differences, but I have learned to challenge myself, to open my heart and to listen to other points of view. I have found that this enriches my own values. I love that I can be accepting & peaceful with others and be true to myself. I am on a journey to understand what it really means to me to be Jewish and living in this modern world, what truly are my own values, and I look to my religious scripture to guide me. The Torah says, “Do not take revenge and do not bear a grudge. Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God.” (Leviticus 19:18) My Torah guides me to treat others the way I would like to be treated. That means I must strive to always be my best self and to hold myself to a high
level of dignity, respect, and empathy when interacting with all people. Wearing a kippah on my head is deeply personal. It reminds me that I am never alone and am always connected with a spiritual power far greater then I could conceive. Wearing this kippah publicly also means that I am reminded daily of my responsibility to represent Jewish people in the best light that I can. I consider it a basic part of my religious values and duty to interact with everyone as peacefully and lovingly as possible. I am hungry to delve deeper into my own religion and explore who I am, and at the same time remain respectful of others who want to do the same with their religion and culture. I have read many religious books, but learning from all people, like and unlike me, continues to be a helpful step in my path. I wish that bridging the gap between all that is, was as simple as playing backgammon at my grandparents’ kitchen table and chewing on tahdig.
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT
BABY
You love your baby, but you need a break. Your significant other is at work. Your family is either not local or busy. You want to find the right person to hire so that you can have some time to yourself. Who is this “right person” and how do you find her/him?
F
inding a babysitter, especially for a non-verbal child is a very common source of stress for most parents. There are many questions, often separated into 2 sets, including:
Is my baby old enough for me to leave with a sitter? How long can I be gone for? How do I start to find a sitter?
Can I ask the sitter to meet us? (Do I have to pay for that?) What should I ask the sitter? How much do I pay the sitter?
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Answers: Even mother birds don’t sit on their eggs ALL the time. It is perfectly normal and okay to have a break from a baby. Studies show that some new mothers feel comfortable separating from the baby soon after birth (as long as the baby is being cared for by a trusted source,) while others do not feel comfortable separating until the child is verbal. This large range is found in many countries and cultures, and is often an individual choice based on many factors. Likewise, with the length of time away from the baby. As long as the baby has basic needs met, e.g. food, it is a personal decision. Finding a sitter is a bit more difficult. Personal recommendations are often the best way to go, as the people you trust to ask are likely to know you and how you want your baby cared for. If no one knows of a sitter who
FINDING A BABYSITTER
is looking for a family to help, organizations you belong to, e.g. religious, work, and even pediatrician’s office are also options. If still no luck there, there are many agencies in the local area who can match you with a screened sitter. Once you find a potential sitter, you should absolutely interview him/her. You can base your decision of whether to try that sitter based on whether s/he comes clean and dressed appropriately, whether s/he has first aid/ CPR training, references and experience, whether transportation will be a problem, and how s/he interacts with the baby. Typically a babysitter is not paid for the interview, even if it includes the potential sitter interacting with the baby. As for what to pay the sitter who you hire, that is negotiable and varies by area and amount of experience.
Studies suggest that there are “red flags” that can be detected when interviewing a potential babysitter. In most cases, gender of the babysitter is not a concern, BUT how the babysitter looks at and talks to the baby can be a red flag. The best fit of babysitter to family has more to do with understanding of family values, house rules, and communication styles. The two most important parts of hiring a babysitter are that 1) Trust your instincts. 2) Hiring a sitter does not have to be a permanent decision. If you end up not liking the sitter, try to find another one.
References: Scharff, Jill S. (1985). Selection of Babysitters. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, Vol 19(9), pp. 61-66. www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Babysitting-Reminders.aspx www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/work-play/Pages/Finding-a-Sitter.aspx
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PLAYROOM P l ay ro o m Welcomteo
Chess!
ate in 2 d checkm n a e v o m White to
the he t did hen t Whae say w up in judg k stoodoom? skuncourtr the ANSWER:
Odor in the court!
Why do bicycl fall overes ? Bec A aus NSW ER e th : two ey ar -tire e d!
anov andr Shim zzle: Aleks Chess pu d7
N was Solution: struction January’s January in e e in 1. th at at m th ck e r realizing ve and ch fo o ir m m to Ta ite u to n Wh *Thank yo have bee . It should incorrect
ANSWER:
When it’s a ruler!
FEB 2018
Catherine the Great was the empress of Russia from 1762-1796. She built schools and hospitals, and supported the arts. She was the first to provide financial support for the education of women. Although she taxed them double, she did allow Jewish people to practice their religion. Megan Markle is not the first actor to become royalty. Olivia Wilde married an Italian prince. Grace Kelly married the prince of Monaco. And there are many more! Two Jewish Queens were Queen Esther (Purim Story). Later came Queen Shelamzion Alexandria (76-67 BC.)
ANSWER:
The scales!
14
In the United Kingdom, the Queen is the only person who does not need a passport to travel, or a license to drive. For the Danish version of the Lord of the Rings book, the Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, illustrated the artwork.
a n is od Whe e of wo n? c e e e pi a qu like
the t is part of a h W ical sh? mus goldfi the
FUN FACTS
St. Louis Jewish Parents
of the Mont h:
Queen Hebrew
לכּה ָ ַמ מַאלקע
Pronounced: mahl-KAH
Yiddish
Pronounced: mahl-kee
Where do Emperor penguins vote? ANS
WER: The So uth po ll!
An alogie s
is to een, as prince Princess is to qu as lamb is to Puppy is to dog, , as top is to Head is to foot to mp, as sprint is Bounce is to ju fish is to Bird is to fly, as is is to amond, as tenn Baseball is to di , as head is to Blade is to knife
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT
CHILD
JEFFREY & PAMELA BLAIR Jeffrey & Pamela Blair, co-owners of EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore located at 7827 Olive Blvd, University City, MO, 63130. For more info go to www.eyeseeme.com or call (314) 349 -1122.
Editor’s note: January 16th was Martin Luther King Jr Day. February is Black History Month. Our children learn that the United States of America is stronger because of our diversity of religion, race, culture, and country of origin. I thought it important for children and adults alike to have the opportunity to read this article from Jeffrey & Pamela Blair, co-owners of EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore.
One
Black History Month I was doing a presentation to a diverse group of middle school children. I started by giving them a hearty salutation, “Happy Black History Month”, which they replied back in-kind. Everyone was all smiles and excited about the program. Then I opened up my presentation with a question to get them thinking. I asked them, “why don’t we have a white history month?” That question seemed to have drained all the air out the room as
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perplexed faces stared at the ceiling. It was quiet, uncomfortably quiet, until one brave African American girl hesitantly raised her hand and answered in a question format, “Because white people have too much history to fit in a month?” Honestly, her answer shocked me, but it shouldn’t have. Unfortunately, her rationale is not new and not unique. All year long, we as a society have taught her that the history of her people are less important and less vast than other people’s
history. This is why Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926, the precursor to Black History Month. He wanted to ensure that at least once a year blacks would be reminded of, and inspired by the contributions and accomplishments of Africana Americans. He notes; “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” He also believed that if white Americans knew the true history of blacks in America and in Africa, it would help overcome negative stereotyping. He had hoped that eventually all people’s contributions would be included into the single history of America and the world. Obviously, from the young ladies reply, we are not there yet. Thinking back, my wife and I saw this same phenomenon happening to our own children as they became school age and started to receive the same not so subtle clue that their history was insignificant, and something to be ashamed of. We knew that if we could instill within our children a pride in their heritage and awareness of the great accomplishments of their forefathers that this would be the foundation that would allow them to grow into their full potential. As our children grew we saw them approach school with purpose and a clear understanding that they are truly “standing on the shoulders of giants” and have a responsibility to do their best in everything that they do.
HAVE AN
ACTIVE SUMMER
We created EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore so that African American children can benefit from exposure to literature that respectfully mirrors themselves, their culture and their families. Additionally, we want all children to develop an appreciation for African American culture and for those who may be different from themselves. At Eyeseeme we want to make it as easy as possible for parents, schools, and librarians to find high quality diverse books. We want all children to see themselves in history and society all year long.
SUMMER.SLU.EDU ACADEMIES CAMPS PROGRAMS
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Rick and Elisa Recht Rick and Elisa are the powerhouse couple behind St. Louis based Jewish Rock Radio, Songleader Boot Camp, and Rick’s career as one of the top nationally touring artists in Jewish music. The two met when Elisa hired Rick for guitar lessons while she was the director of Ramot Amoona (B’nai Amoona) a Jewish day camp in St. Louis that couldn’t find a songleader; Throughout their guitar lessons, Elisa encouraged Rick to become the Jewish songleader at the camp. She knew that having a “cool rock star guy” leading tefillah (prayer) and shira (singing) would change the energy and excitement about Jewish music and Judaism as a whole, and bring the ruach (spirit) to an entirely new level. The rest is history! Together, Elisa and Rick started to understand the incredible scope of impact they could potentially achieve in the Jewish world together. Their personal and working relationships were fully integrated with an enduring mission to strengthen Jewish identity and engagement for Jewish youth and their families. Rick is now one of the top-touring artists in Jewish music recognized as a pioneer of the contemporary Jewish music genre and an icon for Jewish youth. Together, Elisa and Rick have created Jewish Rock Radio, Songleader Boot Camp national Jewish education and leadership training conferences, and recently released the brand new international Jewish kids radio station, PJ Library Radio.
ORGANIZATION
SPOTLIGHT 18
FEB 2018
Jewish Rock Radio
St. Louis Jewish Parents
Jewish Rock Radio is available where Internet is available. Listeners can access JRR through their computers or mobile devices. There are free JRR mobile applications available for iPhones and Android phones.
School Music USA Rentals
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Jewish Rock Radio Background Jewish Rock Radio is a high-caliber, 24-7, Jewish rock internet radio station. JRR broadcasts contemporary Jewish rock music, as well as interviews featuring youth from communities around the country speaking about their exciting experiences from engaging in Jewish life. Building on Jewish Rock Radio’s powerful foundation, JRR launched a major national initiative in 2016, the JRR Gift of Music, to distribute free Jewish rock music to hundreds of thousands of teens and young adults throughout North America. The JRR Gift of Music has distributed music to thousands of young adults in St. Louis for the last two years! The mission of Jewish Rock Radio (JRR) is to strengthen Jewish identity and engagement for youth and young adults through the power of music. Thousands of listeners tune in to www. jewishrockradio.com each day and listen on their JRR mobile apps with over 75,000 JRR apps downloaded and more than a 1.5 million monthly listening minutes. Founded in 2009, JRR has achieved international recognition in leading publications such as the Slingshot Guide, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Jerusalem Post, and more.
[continued pg 20]
Listeners can find JRR at www.jewishrockradio.com or on sponsoring websites that host the Jewish Rock Radio embeddable player.
Experienced and zealous team approach to advocating for you in all family law matters: custody, support, maintenance, property, adoptions, modifications. Susan E. Block (314) 244-3640 Amy Hoch Hogenson (314) 244-3667 165 North Meramec, Suite 110 St. Louis, MO 63105 The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.
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You can also find JRR on Tunein Radio, Sonos, and Roku!
St. Louis Jewish Parents
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Jewish Rock Radio Programming Jewish Rock Radio features cool Jewish music, and much more! The radio features new and emerging artists, interviews with youth and young adults who participate in Jewish organizations, and special weekly shows, including:
Jewish Women Rock - featuring the best and most influential female voices in Jewish music. Musical Midrash - exploring Jewish texts through the lens of music. Emerging Artist Showcase - highlighting new and exciting voices in Jewish rock.
Best in Israeli Rock - introducing music
from Israel’s top artists.
The Missing Link
Sacred Soundtrack - combining sounds,
Jewish Rock Radio was launched to provide a mass communication channel leveraging the power of music to attract, inspire, entertain, and educate Jewish youth while providing information about a variety of meaningful engagement opportunities for involvement in Jewish life. Jewish Rock Radio serves as a ‘missing link’ in the Jewish world providing a channel:
Stand Up! Sing Out! - providing an inside
spirit, and soul.
look at powerful Jewish teen experiences around the world.
To expose new and established Jewish artists. Jewish Rock Radio also provides education for artists to professionalize their music and marketing. For Jewish youth to share their experiences with each other about a variety of national Jewish programs in which they have participated. To inspire and create a ‘path’ for Jewish youth to participate in Jewish life as Jewish composers, performers, song leaders, and teachers. For Jewish organizations, Jewish businesses, and Jewish music distributors to have an international marketing and publicity mechanism in the Jewish world.
ORGANIZATION
SPOTLIGHT
Jewish Rock Radio
The mission of Jewish Rock Radio (JRR) is to strengthen Jewish identity and engagement for youth and young adults through the power of music. Jewish Rock Radio is the flagship initiative of Judaism Alive, a non-profit 501c3.
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
Songleader Boot Camp Songleader Boot Camp (SLBC) , Jewish education and leadership training conferences were launched in 2009 by Rick and Elisa Recht and Rabbi Brad Horwitz (Director of the Jewish Community Center's Ruth & Harold Sher Center of Jewish Life) to create immersive, inspirational, and strategic Jewish leadership development opportunities for Jewish clergy, educators, camping staff, family educators, early childhood specialists, lay leaders, teens, and songleaders. Over the last several years, more than 1500 participants from across the North America have experienced SLBC leadership training programs. Based in St. Louis, MO, the annual Songleader Boot Camp (SLBC) National Conference is widely recognized as one of the top Jewish leadership training programs in North America. The SLBC National Conference is hosted at the Jewish Community Center every February during Presidents’ Day Weekend featuring dozens of workshops, presentations, and worship services lead by nationally renowned Jewish leaders, educators and music artists. At SLBC, education and inspiration are grounded in strategic planning. SLBC teaches participants about the many vehicles they have to create powerful, interactive connections, expand leadership abilities, and learn specific skills and techniques to inspire change in their communities. To learn more about SLBC, make sure to check out songleaderbootcamp.com and stop by the Jewish Community Center this February 18-20 to see and HEAR what its all about!
We offer an amazing Taekwondo program for ages 4 to adult. Our core programs will provide life skills that will last you a lifetime!
Special offer: 2 FREE Classes! 636-226-6599 risemastl@gmail.com Visit us on
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2018 SPICE CHESS SUMMER CAMP June 18-22 and July 16-20 Ages 5-15 ★ All day and morning sessions ★ Early bird rates until May 10 ★ Instructors are members of #1 ranked collegiate team in the nation including Grandmasters For more information:
webster.edu/spice • 314-246-8075 chess@webster.edu
EC-3257_2018 Web U_Sum Camp.indd 1
St. Louis Jewish Parents
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1/30/18 1:45 PM
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Choosing Friends
TWEEN
It was so easy when the children were younger-- as in playgroup and preschool years. It was the parents’ decision to figure out and arrange friendships for the children. Even in the early elementary school years, parents still had quite a bit of control. But then … there are the tween years, which start a brand new chapter.
F
or many tweens, this period is a time when parents do not supervise “playdates.” The tweens begin to explore their own homes for new things to do, and share with friends. They also start “trying on” the personalities and vocabularies of older children and adults in their environment. It is a time where parents start to realize, usually much
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sooner than do the tweens, that some “friendships” should not be cultivated. Parents tend to look for tween friendships that are based on commonalities, such as religious affiliation, gender, or similar interests. However, studies show that these aspects do not necessarily translate into wholesome peer relationships. What should parents look for in trying to help tweens choose friends?
What should parents do when they realize that their child’s “friend” is not someone who they want? One of the best ways for parents to guide their tweens into choosing friends is to casually discuss what an ideal friend is. For some families, an ideal friend is someone who plays rough and tumble, sits and plays videogames, and talks a lot about what the parents talk about. For
other families, an ideal friend is someone who has contrasting experiences, and they talk about those experiences while playing a board game. There is no judgement here as to what is “better.” Important things to talk to tweens about include what to do if they find a gun, “inappropriate” reading material, movies that wouldn’t be a choice at home, or they are hearing language that they think they shouldn’t. Every family has their own opinions on guns in the house, so it is important to make sure your tween knows YOUR family’s opinion. It is also important for tweens to understand that there are “private, family” conversations, that are not to be shared with anyone outside the family, and public conversations that can be used to “escape” difficult situations. It is crucial that tweens feel comfortable sharing what happened when spending time with a friend, and not being forced into a feeling by a parent. Finding that your tween is in a friendship you don’t like, presents a new set of challenges. Studies show that parents and caregivers are more likely to see unhealthy friendships earlier than do the tweens who comprise the friendship. Studies also show that when parents have been proactive in communicating the family’s stance on issues, the tweens are more likely to point out what is different in the other person’s home.
Project MEGSSS A non-profit organization dedicated to discovering, inspiring and developing the talents of middle school students with extraordinary gifts in mathematics.
Elements of Mathematics Summer and after-school programming for qualified students. Students are nominated (by parents or teachers) and qualify by testing in late March/ early April.
MathJam (June 11-22 and July 9-20) Two-week summer camp offered to all current 4th – 7th graders who are looking for challenging experiences in math, no qualification necessary.
For more information or to nominate your student, go online at www.megsss.org Questions? Email nomination@megsss.org
Even knowing that there is not a good match in family beliefs between tween friends, stopping the friendship is not easy. Parents don’t want to tell a tween that another tween is a bad influence or worse. Parents don’t typically want their personal, disapproving views to get back to the other family. However, this does not mean that nothing can be done. Studies report that most tweens have the maturity to understand that if the values and context of a potential friend do not match their own, they can be acquaintances, and not friends. This is a great time to start teaching the differences between stranger, peer, colleague, acquaintance, friend, and family member!
References: Brown, B.B. & Larson, J. (2009). Peer relationships in adolescence. Handbook of Adolescent Psychology. Volume 2, p. 74-103. Tuggle, F.J>, Kerpelman, J.L., & Pittman, J.F. (2014). Parental support, psychological control, and early adolescents' relationships with friends and dating partners. Family Relations, 63 (4), p. 496-512.
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© Neshama Roash/Firefly Universe
NEWS & BOOKS
JENNIFER BAER LOTSOFF, MSW Jennifer Baer Lotsoff works as the PJ Library Coordinator at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis and has worked in the non-profit sector for nearly twenty years. Born in Memphis, she holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas in Austin and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University. Jennifer works with professionals and lay leaders to build a vibrant Jewish community by encouraging collaboration through creative, fun experiences. With programs in secular and Jewish spaces, Jennifer encourages all community organizations to use the vehicle of PJ Library books to meet families wherever they are on their Jewish journey. Jennifer is a passionate connector of ideas, people, and institutions, and she credits her kids for bringing daily doses of humor to her life and endless crumbs to her car.
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Dream On
Did you know there is a whole TV channel devoted solely to game shows? It’s called “Game Show Network,” and it features perky, bouncy people on each and every show. The contestants may look happy, but I’m not. Watching those shows stresses me out. I always feel bad if the person loses…except on Jeopardy, where they always know 80 times as many answers as I do. I feel the same way about sports. With the Winter Olympics approaching, I’ll be watching with my eyes partly closed, in awe that these athletes achieve the level they do, but also nervous that they will fall and hurt themselves. I wonder if this just started since I had kids or if I’ve always done this… I’m not sure. One sport that stresses me out in a GOOD way is basketball. I love basketball. I love the way you can quickly score points; I love the dance-like moves as the players dribble the ball back and forth; I love the gravity-defying shots from all angles of the court. Basketball makes sense to me. Football, on the other hand, is completely confusing. I don’t understand the lines on the field; I don’t understand the constant pauses in the
St. Louis Jewish Parents
game; I don’t understand why players have to violently bash into each other. I keep thinking about if it were my kid out there — I wouldn’t want him to get tackled to the ground! This month many of us will be watching the Super Bowl. Personally, I’ll be watching to see the commercials. If you are a football fan, there is a great PJ Library book about football called Flying High by Julian Edelman, a wide receiver for the New England Patriots. Julian is small, speedy, and full of energy, thereby earning the nickname “Squirrel.” His book is about a squirrel named Jules who works hard to achieve his dream. In an age of immediate gratification, I love that this book deals with the concept of having to work hard and try, sometimes repeatedly, to achieve a goal. Wait, are we talking about kids here or my life? Regardless, dreaming is a privilege that can sometimes diminish with age. I love to listen to my son’s dreams for his life, and I love his ability to race toward what he wants, unvarnished by any reality telling him what he can and cannot do. I think I can learn a lot from him.
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Be sure to check out Julian Edelman’s book, Flying High:
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Welcome to Jewish Family & Children’s Service
Flying High
For generations, Jewish Family & Children’s Service has offered compassionate support and practical solutions to help people in our community navigate life’s challenges.
Written by Julian Edelman Illustrated by David Leonard
Ages: 5 to 6 Years
Jules the squirrel wants to play football, but the eagle, buffalo, and bear tell him he's all wrong for the game. But then the goat tells him that a wise person once said, "If you will it, it is no dream." Jules decides to work hard and give it his best shot, despite all the discouragement. And guess what happens?
JF&CS and its licensed professional staff assist the elderly, protect children at risk, provide food and services for the needy, resolve family problems and enhance Jewish connections.
We serve those in need regardless of age, race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. We are here for you! Jewish Family & Children's Service Laura Robbins, Chief Development Officer 10950 Schuetz Road, St. Louis, MO 63146
JFCS-stl.org 314-993-1000 Lrobbins@jfcs-stl.org
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Acne FROM THE
DOCTOR
Baby acne is common and starts within the first few weeks of your baby’s life. It is not true acne, but inflammation as your newborn’s skin adjusts to common microorganisms.
BY DR. ELIZABETH NIEMAN Pediatric Dermatologist at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Washington University School of Medicine
Call 314.454.KIDS (5437) for more information or to make an appointment.
It looks like red papules or pustules. Unlike true acne, baby acne doesn’t present with whiteheads or blackheads. And it gets better on its own without scarring, but can improve faster with over-the-counter clotrimazole cream. I recommend avoiding greasy/oily products. On the other hand, infantile acne is less common than baby acne. And it’s true acne. It occurs during the first year of life and resembles the same acne you see in puberty. The cause is not entirely clear, but may be due to hormonal stimulation of the baby during pregnancy. Washing with soap and water helps. Medications such as benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics or retinoid creams (vitamin A derivative) can help prevent scarring. Rarely, oral medications are needed.
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Common teenage acne can actually start as young as 7 years old and can be caused by multiple things including hormones, bacteria, genetics and inflammation. It ranges from mild whiteheads and blackheads to severe scarring acne. It can often be treated by washing twice a day with an over-thecounter acne wash, such as benzoyl peroxide (which can bleach your towels, so beware!) or salicylic acid. It helps to keep a face wash at the sink near your teen’s toothbrush and in the shower. Differin (adapalene), a topical retinoid, went over-the-counter in 2017 and can help a lot. It takes 3 months to tell if the medicines are working, so be patient! When these aren’t enough, prescriptions are available so check with your Pediatrician.
JF&CS
PRESENTS
Normal Rough Patch?
BY DR. SUSAN RANDICH Susan Randich, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist
Parents often worry when they see their child having problems at home, school, or with peers. Children may present with moodiness or worry, wrangles with friends, or defiance and temper outbursts with parents. Parents may also become concerned when their child struggles in school. A child’s emotional distress or behavioral challenges can have an effect on the entire family, and parents wonder whether this is a rough patch that their child will outgrow with time and patience, or a more serious problem that needs to be addressed. It can be challenging to understand and cope with a child’s emotional distress, misbehavior at home, or school issues. Children communicate emotional distress in a wide variety of ways, including sleep problems, worry, sadness, and social withdrawal, but also in defiance, tantrums and anger. School concerns, such as difficulty picking up on reading or math, a drop in grades, or problems with focus, may indicate attentional or learning problems, but may also reflect underlying emotional issues. It is crucial to have an accurate understanding of the problem in order to address it effectively.
Psychological evaluation can help tease out the causes of a child’s distressing behavior, and can assist in better understanding of a child’s individual needs. Usually, the evaluation involves in-depth interviews with the parents and the child. The psychologist may use standardized tests, including intellectual, academic, and personality measures, to further assess the child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development and functioning. On the basis of evaluation results, parents are provided with practical and useful recommendations and strategies, focusing on the child’s strengths and challenges. Parents can be reassured that all is well, or counseled on handling the child’s problems informally at home. Additionally, the clinician may recommend school intervention, family or individual counseling, or a referral for other resources.
JF&CS Psychiatric Testing Supervisor Parents who have concerns about their children’s emotional, developmental, behavioral or academic development can rely on Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) clinical staff for independent assessment of these challenges. At the Learning and Behavioral Diagnostic Center, clinicians with experience in school, counseling, family, and clinical psychology use a wide range of instruments to assess emotional problems and learning challenges, including anxiety and depression, dyslexia/reading and other learning disorders, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. The Learning and Behavioral Diagnostic Center at JF&CS provides comprehensive and customized evaluation for children from toddlers through adolescents up to 19 years of age. Evaluations are provided free of charge for families living in St. Louis County through the Children’s Services Fund. Please call us at JF&CS to start the process, and we will help lead you in the right direction and set your family up for success. 314-812-1000.
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CHILD DEVELOPMENT
TEEN
Start That Engine Although Missouri has a Graduated Driver’s License program, whereby a 15 year old is eligible for an instruction permit, a 16 year old is eligible for an intermediate license and an 18 year old is eligible for a full driver’s license, it does not mean that every 15 or 16 year old wants to start driving.
I
n Missouri, formal Driver’s Education is not required to get a license, but teens do have to log 40 hours of supervised driving with a qualified licensed adult or driving instructor. Of those 40 hours, 10 must be driven at night. The process of getting behind the wheel and learning this new skill, while still having to focus on all of the other obligations and responsibilities that teens have, can be overwhelming for some teens, and simply not a priority for others. And yet, one of the first questions that adults ask teens older than 15 years includes, “So, you are driving already, right?” Data is showing that despite the young age that a permit can be obtained, more and more teens are deciding to wait for 1-3 years before they tackle this challenge.
The major drawbacks include: Often, there is less time to practice at home, before the teen goes away to college. Parents remain responsible for driving the teenager to all of the activities The more recent studies relate “desire to drive” in teens, to desire to play on playground equipment in 5 year olds. In both cases, the individuals take on the challenge and master it on their own timetable, when they are ready and feel safe. Rushing them into starting earlier leads to unnecessary risks and injuries. Driving is an important milestone and life skill. However, the timing of when to start learning how to drive can be adjusted for each teen and family.
The benefits for waiting include: Greater cognitive maturity and processing strength Increased desire for independence Better organization and time management skills.
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References: https://www.dmv.org/mo-missouri/teen-drivers.php https://www.autoclubmo.aaa.com/automotive/driver-education/teen-programs.html
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TOP 10 ! s “BAD PARENT” MOMENTS p o O Humorous, but true. No names.
10 9 8 7
DID YOU EVER OOPS? Share your parent or child’s “Oops” moment with us... Submissions will be kept anonymous :)
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WWW.STLOUISJEWISHPARENTS.COM
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6 5 4 3 2 1
Oops, I should have listened to my son when he said that he needed a belt. He is really thin, and his pants were not staying up really well. He started wearing shorts under his pants, which ended up being a good thing when his pants fell down to his ankles one day, while waiting in line at school! Perhaps it is not a good idea to relay some gossip when your 16 year old is with you. I hadn’t thought that she would tell what she had heard to the person it was about. Awkward!!! Oops, I can’t believe that I completely left my son in the gym’s daycare after my workout! It wasn’t until I got home, and my husband asked where our son was, that I realized. I immediately went back to get him. He was still happily playing. Oops, I now understand why I should use kids’ wrapping paper for kids’ gifts, and more “grown-up” wrapping paper for adults’ gifts. We had 2 birthday parties to go to at the same day and time. Both gifts were wrapped in the same silver paper. I took the children to their friend’s birthday party, and my husband took the gift I wrapped to his boss’ birthday party. I don’t think the boss appreciated the glow in the dark superhero set. I don’t think that the 8 year old appreciated the golf-themed bottle opener! Oops, perhaps we should have told our 5 year old not to discuss the bodily functions of his baby sister. Apparently, he went into school and told the whole class during “Sharing Time” that his baby sister had the smelliest and loudest farts of the whole family- even worse than his daddy’s! Oops, perhaps before calling 911 in a panic because I thought my 6 year old was having a severe allergic reaction rash, I should have looked to see that her new red sweater had left a perfect pattern on her skin. Next time, I will wash new, red sweaters before the first wearing! Oops, purging a portion of the kids’ toys sounded good to me, but I did it wrong twice: when I asked the kids which toys could go, the kids couldn’t part with any. When I decided to do it on my own, the kids kept asking where their favorite toys had gone! Oops, I left the Nutella within the reach of our 3 year old. She grabbed a spoon from the table and made a complete mess all over herself, the fancy dining room chair, and the wall behind her. Perhaps asking my 14 year old to teach me how to use his PlayStation wasn’t the best idea. Now we both sit there, glued to the game, not talking! I can’t believe I completely forgot about my 2nd grader’s school project! The teacher sent me an email asking when she could expect it to come to school to be graded.
St. Louis Jewish Parents
Elsie, Age 5 Chesterfield, MO
EPILEPSY SHOULD NEVER INTERRUPT SWIM CLASS That’s why we have iMRI technology on our side. At St. Louis Children’s Hospital, we believe childhood shouldn’t be interrupted by serious conditions, like epilepsy. So our team uses the very latest pediatric insights and innovations, including intraoperative MRI, to treat epilepsy patients like Elsie who suffer from daily seizures. This unique technology allowed doctors to see images of her brain in real time during the surgery, for pinpoint accuracy in removing her tumors. Now Elsie is seizure free. Which means Elsie can get back to being a kid. Because we’re not just experts in our field, we’re Guardians of Childhood.
© St. Louis Children’s Hospital 2018
Meet Elsie at StLouisChildrens.org/Elsie
NUTRITION NUGGETS
Supplementing If I have to pick one disturbing aspect of dietary supplements, it is the dosage! KATHY MORA, PhD
Assistant Professor - Nutrition Program at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Dedicated long distance runner, passionate proponent for physical education in children, and mom of two children who happily eat vegetables!
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Take folate for example, each adult supplement contains 100% Recommended Dietary Intake or 400 mcg of folic acid (folate). Recommended amounts are lower for children. Folate is an essential vitamin, and it is critical for all women of childbearing age, but 100% dosage is not necessary in a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement when our U.S. food supply is already fortified with folate. All grains, such as bread, flour, cereal, pasta, rice, and cornmeal are fortified with folic acid. I could not find one adult supplement that provided a lower dose of folic acid, and folate is naturally found in many other
St. Louis Jewish Parents
vegetables (also dark green, leafy foliage vegetables), peas, beans, nuts, and eggs (even those who avoid carbohydrate/grains can meet folate needs from food). So what about children? Do they need dietary supplements? The research keeps showing that most healthy children without a medical condition do not need a vitamin/mineral supplement- even self-proclaimed “picky eaters� do not automatically fall into the category of needing a supplement. Again, Food First is the idea that eating real food, whole food, food that is recognizable and not
processed, is always the key to meeting nutrition needs. Giving children unnecessary supplements does not teach them about food and all the joys of cooking, tasting, and eating healthy food. When children are given supplements as “insurance�, the message is misleading and suggests that real food is lacking nutritional value, and instilling the idea that relying on supplements outweighs eating a variety of colorful and nutritious, healthy food. If you really feel strongly about giving your children vitamin/mineral supplements, choose the very lowest dosages and only give them the supplement once per week. Does anyone need a dietary supplement? Yes! Exclusively and partially breast-fed babies need to
get the recommended amounts of Vitamin D and Iron. Often, this can not come from the milk, and the babies are not yet eating foods that contain these nutrients. A supplement recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics will take care of this until the nutrients can come from food. There are also some special diets that people choose to follow that need to be examined to ensure the correct balance. Bottom line: Regardless of whether you are an adult or a child, FOOD FIRST is the safest and most efficient way to consume vitamins and minerals‌ and the tastiest!
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Senior STYLE
Bragging Rights Picture this: You are at your mahjong game or a luncheon. The lady to your right says, “My grandson is the absolute best soccer player on his team! He is going to get a college scholarship, for sure.” The lady to your left says, “That’s nice. My granddaughter is the best writer in her whole school. She just won an award! I have her 3 page poem right here. Read it.” The lady across from you says, “My grandson just won an award for his piano playing. I have a 4 minute video. Watch this.” You are sitting there, saying nothing because either you don’t have grandchildren yet, OR because your grandchildren are equally as wonderful, but you don’t feel comfortable getting into an argument about whose grandchild is most impressive.
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H
ow prevalent is bragging in the 65+ age groups? How does it differ from younger adults? How do you make it stop? Recent data has focused on the question of whether there has been an increase in bragging, partly due to social media sites like Facebook, with researchers currently trying to define different types of bragging, e.g. HumbleBrag, self-promotion. Other contributing factors to the perceived increase in bragging are the role of personal videocameras, cell phones, select sports teams and dance/arts groups, and texting.
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Facebook reports that only 9% of its demographic is 65+ years old, while 45% are ages 35- 64, and 25% are 25- 34 years old. Hence for most grandparents, Facebook is not how they are getting or sharing their exciting news. Most grandparents report hearing the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren via “normal” phone calls, in person, and via text messages/ videos. Like Facebook, email is not a large contributor of bragging fodder. One of the most common results of the studies is that when someone brags about themselves or their own grandchild, it is seen less favorably than when someone brags about someone ELSE’s grandchild. For example, if someone says, “Dorothy, wasn’t that your grandchild who did such a good job at the math competition I read about in the newspaper?”, it is much better received than if someone says, “My grandchild won the big math competition.” A frequent complaint is that many people do not know how to set rules of how and when to brag, so either there is a reduction of socializing, or an increase in frustration. Neither of these outcomes are healthy. Hence many people who get together in small to midsize groups are respectfully establishing their own rulesspoken outloud, clear, and with humor. Most people are fortunate enough to be proud of someone who is important to them. The goal is to share and relate without being overbearing.
References www.statista.com/statistics/187041/us-user-age-distribution-on-facebook/ Graham G. Scott, PhD, and Kirsty Ravenscroft, BSc (Hons), (2017). CYBERPSYCHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR, AND SOCIAL NETWORKING Volume 20, p.58-63.
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FROM THE
CONCIERGE’S DESK
Taxed? by Jeremy Klaven, CPA, MBA, CGMA
K&R Certified Public Accountants (314) 720-8686
You can find additional information on the tax law changes by visiting our website at www.saintlouistaxprep.com or by contacting our office for a free no charge initial tax consultation. IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: To comply with requirements imposed by the Department of the Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication is not intended or written by the practitioner to be used, and that it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer, and (ii) supporting the promotion or marketing of any transactions or matters addressed herein.
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On December 19, 2017 Congress passed the Tax Cuts & Job Acts of 2017. This piece of legislation was highly anticipated with political promises of tax code simplification and sweeping tax reform. Now that it has passed and been signed into law, the question arises of “How does this affect me?” While a large portion of the law impacts corporations and small business, a number of changes contained in the tax reform impact working families. Here are just a few: Tax Brackets: While the new tax code maintains 7 tax brackets, the tax rates have been reduced. Previously the brackets ranged from 10% to 39.6%. The new tax law now has these new tax brackets for married filing jointly families: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35% and 37%. Individuals who receive W2 wages from their employer should begin to see adjustments in withholdings beginning in February 2018. This could mean larger take home pay for millions of Americans. We suggest consulting with a tax expert to ensure that your withholdings through your paycheck are adequate to cover your tax liability for the year.
Personal Exemptions: The new law removes the deduction allowed for personal exemptions. Previously taxpayers received a reduction of taxable income for personal exemptions (dependents) included on their return. In 2017, the personal exemption amount was $4,050. A married family with two children under the age of 17 would receive an exemption deduction equal to $16,200. In 2018, the personal exemptions are written out of the tax code. This will impact taxpayers that claim children and elderly parents, as
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their taxable income could rise. In order to offset the impact to these families the new law made two additional changes. First, the law expands the standard deduction to $24,000. It also doubles the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per child for children under the age of 17. Those taxpayers with children older than 17 will be impacted the most by the loss of the personal exemptions. This is where the complexity of tax preparation and tax planning comes into play. Families with college-age children could see no benefit to claiming children on their tax return, but for financial aid and health insurance purposes may still be required to claim those children as dependents on their return. Taxpayers will need to meet with a tax preparer as well as consult with their HR Departments and Financial Aid offices to ensure that a change for tax strategy purposes does not impact these other items.
Standard Deduction Increases: Previously the standard deduction for married, filing joint taxpayers was $12,700. Beginning in 2018 the standard deduction is $24,000. But, what if you itemize your deductions? What changes do you need to look for? Beginning in 2018 mortgage interest is deductible for
loans up to $750,000. The previous law allowed mortgage interest to be deductible for loans up to $1.1 million when considering your home loan and potentially a home equity line of credit or second mortgage. In addition, the new law also limits the deductibility of your Home Equity Line of Credit interest (HELOC). In order to be deductible, your HELOC has to be used for acquisition indebtedness or improvements to your residence. Previously, home owners could take a HELOC for a car or college education and get the benefit of deducting the interest on their tax return. Other itemized deduction changes are the State and Local Taxes (SALT) and unreimbursed business expenses. Previously uncapped, now SALT deductions are limited to $10,000. The SALT deductions include state income taxes, property taxes and real estate taxes. High income taxpayers and those with large homes will be impacted by this change as well as taxpayers in states with high property values. Beginning in 2018 employees that drive their personal automobile for work and do not receive a mileage reimbursement will no longer be allowed to claim those miles as a
deduction on Schedule A. These taxpayers should contact their HR Department or manager and discuss a direct reimbursement or salary adjustment as this change could result in increased tax liability.
Savings Plans: A big win for families with children, is the ability to use 529 Savings Plans for tuition for private elementary and high school (grades K-12). Previously, funds within a 529 Savings Plan could only be used for higher education. The new law allows contributions to a 529 Savings Plan to now be used to pay for grades K-12. The new tax law does NOT expand this privilege to homeschool fees and expenses. What this means for many families with children in private schools, is that they can contribute money to a state 529 Plan and then access those funds for tuition. In Missouri, taxpayers can contribute up to $8,000 ($16,000 Married Filing Jointly) annually to a Qualified 529 Plan. Those contributions provide a Missouri taxpayer with a deduction on their Missouri form 1040. Taxpayers can then access those funds to pay for private schools. The annual
amount of distributions allowed for K-12 tuition is $10,000 per beneficiary.
Health Insurance: Finally, a far reaching and potentially impactful change for the future is the removal of the penalty for not having health insurance. This penalty was referred to in mainstream as the “Individual Mandate�. Beginning in 2019 taxpayers will no longer be penalized for not having health insurance. While this change does not directly impact every taxpayer, those taxpayers who use the Marketplace to obtain Government subsidized Healthcare plans will need to monitor this change closely. It is widely anticipated that by removing the individual mandate, less people will enroll in the healthcare plans. This could result in an even greater increase in premiums for those families dependent on Marketplace plans, or as some experts have commented, result in the collapse of these plans all together. You should consult a healthcare insurance professional for additional information.
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JEWISH
HOLIDAY EXPLAINED
Purim Most people know this holiday as the story told from the Biblical scroll of Esther about Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai who thwarted the evil plans of Haman and saved the Jewish people in King Ahasuerus’ kingdom in Ancient Persia. Many people know about dressing up in costume, swirling around groggers (noisemakers), and eating fruit-center, triangle-shaped cookies (hamantaschen). But the Jewish religion and culture has varied traditions, and multiple explanations for why anything is done, and how it is celebrated. Purim for example, has had its traditions compared to those of Halloween. On the surface only, Purim is the reverse of Halloween in the way it is celebrated. During Purim, children dress up in costumes of “good guys”, (no demons, ghosts, bad characters), and they go door to door giving out bags of treats, instead of asking for treats. This is done during the day, after re-reading the story of Esther, followed by carnivals and loud celebration. The holiday of Purim is a joyful holiday with an emphasis on respect, learning, charity, and community. I once asked why we give out treats, and I was amazed by and felt proud of the answer. Mishloach Manot bags contain a drink, two pieces of fruit, something “bread-like”, e.g. cookies, a piece of candy, and a small toy. The contents are “ready-to-eat” items, given to friends, family, and people-in-need so that everyone can enjoy a Purim feast. Often at least two bags are given out; one to a friend, and one to someone in need. This way no one knows who is the friend and who is the person-in-need. Respect and doing a good deed/mitzvah go together here in fulfilling both what is required for this holiday and what is good for the community. I was given another answer for why we go door to door giving out treats. I was told that it had become a great way to check on the community members and make sure that people were physically/mentally okay and feeling connected.
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DOES PRINT ADVERTISING WORK? HERE’S PROOF THAT IT DOES.
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WHERE CARE AND CONCERN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Over 14,000 procedures performed. Rabbi Mike Rovinsky RabbiMike@BrisMilah.org Phone: 800.85.MOHEL or 314.727.2748 www.brismilah.org www.facebook.com/easycircumcision
BEGINS
SUNDOWN
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ENDS
THE EVENING
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www.saintlouistaxprep.com With the evolving economy, and tax code, our firm works to identify your business and personal financial goals. We work hand-in-hand to develop long-term tax planning strategies. Contact our office today for a no-cost consultation to see how we can help you reach your financial goals.
Jeremy Klaven CPA Brad Rotermund CPA (314) 720-8686 email: jeremy@saintlouistaxprep.com
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
39
...More than just a game for two In mid-January, I read for the first time “if everything happens that can’t be done,” a poem by e.e. cummings. Initially, his text was an indecipherable melange of words and scrambled syntax, and I could make little of it. But after a multiple rereadings, I started to see patterns in the five stanzas, and then it occurred to me that multiple poems were occurring simultaneously in this work.1 Laboring to untangle these threads, I eventually saw that the strands of the poem met in the work’s final line: “we’re wonderful one times one.” This majestic conclusion convinced me that these forty-five lines depict a love story. The poem’s plot, as I read it, is the transformation of a single person — the “one” we all start out as — meeting another “one” somewhere in life and uniting forever (line 27: “forever was never until now”). The theme of cummings’s work has brought striking
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
clarity to me: the romantic union of Mr. and Mrs. Roth doesn’t mirror addition but rather multiplication. Operations of multiplication usually yield something larger than either item multiplied2 — three times three equals nine. But one times one is unique: the result is one. The poem argues that when two fall in love, the individuals are not added to each other — they’re multiplied. Through the work of romantic love, our
Eventually, however, multiplication occurs again. It takes a while, to be sure. The kids first need to grow into their “oneness.” But once they plot the contours of their desires and discover which parts of life animate them and which to avoid, the family’s shape transforms. New favorite meals, new vacation destinations, new evenings out, and all the other new things in life children bring to the family resemble the process of multiplication. The we formed by romantic love becomes a larger we, transformed by familial love: one times one times one (times one times one, for the family Roth). Yet through it all, there’s the original we. As paradoxical as it sounds, the toughest challenge to parenting for me is not being a parent. After a while, the daily grind—waking up the kids, driving them to school, overseeing homework, washing dishes, reading at bedtime —becomes habitual: it’s just more multiplication (for the record, Mrs. Roth’s corresponding list is much longer and way more demanding3). But I’m mindful of the need to hack through the branches in this jungle of parental labor and seek the beach of original bliss that brought us together in the first place. For over eighteen years, our we has fused together a nuclear family that we can’t imagine living without, but it’s clear that the protons of this atom need continual recharging.4 Of course, finding the time and space to rekindle and explore these sparks properly takes much effort. Date night at the movies certainly is a start. So is a quiet meal for two. And not much can beat a getaway weekend
Unless, of course, we look to cummings’s poem for guidance. Over and above its construction — the smaller sub-poems leading to the sublime conclusion — the poem’s title6 also reinforces a similar message. If at the wedding altar you could see — truly see — all the countless joys, sorrows, defeats, and victories ahead of you, perhaps you’d scoff at the notion you could absorb them all; I surely would have. Yet almost nineteen years since our wedding, we somehow, impossibly, manage to balance them all: our we, our “one” from that final line, has become larger and larger. In other words, everything is happening that can’t be done. As a reward, the two of us are filled with more wonder than when we met twenty years ago. This poem illustrates the delights of romantic love and the blessings that follow from it; somehow after all these years, because of the one who transformed my one into a different kind of one, I’ve experienced all that too.
1
& ME
Vexing this equation, of course, are children. Our very language betrays the issue: “we’re expecting a new addition to the family.” Moreover, following birth comes diapers, toys, more food, braces, fees for activities, and — eventually — college tuition bills. There’s no escaping the conclusion: raising a family is an exercise in addition (except to our savings account—there we’ve seen nothing but steady subtraction!).
without the kids5, although in all these cases, the return home brings with it the dishes the kids left piled in the sink, toys to be picked up, and clothes that need washing. On a deeper level, the attempt to swim up the river of romance means fighting the tides of time, so perhaps returning to the headwaters of love is impossible.
DADDY
outsides and insides blend into one another, become refashioned to some degree, and from the process emerge still the same but profoundly different. I becomes we — a new sort of “one,” a “one” full of wonder.
Essentially the last forty-five minutes of Inception.
2
Math people: please pretend fractions and negative numbers don’t exist.
3
Public note to self: I must do a better job at equilibrating the labor of raising a family. Gentlemen, I suspect I’m not alone in this vow.
4
Science people: I got a D in chemistry. You only have two paragraphs left before rolling your eyes!
5
Dear, if you read this column, somehow, someway, I’m ready to follow you to Italy.
6
A bit of a misnomer: to the best of my understanding, cummings never titled his words. His editors simply took the first lines of his poems and declared them titles.
BOAZ ROTH A teacher at Thomas Jefferson school for the past 23 years and counting, Boaz Roth enjoys challenging bright students and working with colleagues. He coaches the basketball team and has various other interests. Boaz and his wife have 3 daughters, ranging from age 17 to age 6 years.
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
41
COMMUNITY
WE WELCOME OUR NEW ADVERTISERS! Please make sure to stop in, or send them a note saying hello and thank you. Without our Top-Notch advertisers, this magazine would not be possible.
We again welcome
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Find our products at these lo Whole Foods, United Provisions, Glob Straub’s, Dierbergs, Fresh Thyme, Gr Union Station and various yog throughout St. Louis
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Learn more at MyKar
We also greatly appreciate all of our advertisers! Please join us in patronizing their businesses. A2Z Selfie Company Air Comfort Service ATA Martial Arts The Law Office of Daniel Battan B'nai Amoona Bounce U: Chesterfield, St Louis Branham Electric
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The Elder & Estate Planning Law Firm Epstein Hebrew Academy Eyewearhaus Dr. Debra F Fink, D.M.D M.S. P.C. Shanon Forseter
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Herzl Camp
Burfield-Kantor Group
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Ali Burnett, Hair Stylist
K&R Certified Public Accountants
Camp GUCI
Kidzxplor
Camp Ramah
Kol Rinah Congregation
Camp Sabra
Laurie's Shoes
Car-Doc Automotive Casey Ray’s STL Dog Trainers Challah Bake STL Childproofers
Marty Levison & Sherri Welner, Coldwell Banker, Gundaker Little Sunshine's Playhouse & Preschool
Clementine’s Creamery
Mad Science
The Coffee Guy College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors Cozy Couture
LegalShield
The Little Medical School
Classic Aire Care
Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School The Muny Olympia Gymnastics
Craft Central Cub Creek Camp Cyclebar
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Shelley Dean, Rhythm & Ruach, Kidding Around Yoga
FEB 2018
Organizing Magic Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal
St. Louis Jewish Parents
PJ Library Prestige Ballroom Rise Martial Arts The Law Office of David A. Rubin, LLC Easy Circumcision/Rabbi Mike Rovinsky S2C Roofing Co. School Music USA Shaare Emeth Keri Simon, MSW, LCSW Sophia's Jewelry Studio St Louis Children's Hospital St. Louis University Swingset Factory Depot Temple Israel Three Dog Bakery Traditional Congregation Tutor Doctor Videocakes Productions Washington University School of Medicine Washington University Summer Experiences Shana Watkins Photography Weight Watchers Wild Birds Unlimited, Warson Woods
YASHER KOACH!!! NHBZ
ily eir fam ices, h t n o sing serv on focu ing! Infant ar/ m now B m progra egation, and heck C gr Jr Con ah classes. ay v s z it d Bat M website, an ir out the oach! rK Yashe
SAUL MIROWITZ COMMUNITY SCHOOL, PJ LIBRARY, VID JEWISH ST LOUIS JEWISH PARENTS MAGAZINE,EOCAKES, NCJW, JCRC, JFED, ISRAELI SCOUTS, ROJCC, MUSIC TOGETHER, RHYTHM & RUACH BERT’S and all of the volunteers who ma
de Small Hands, Big Differen ce on MLK Jr Day a huge succes s!
RAY’S DgONseUvTeSral dozen
tin ntry! d for dona Kornblum Food Pa lv B e v li O on ey to the Harv doughnuts
starting, TALIA BEND m Jewish M oderating and s upportin ER for amas Fa g St Lou more th c e b ook g is an 1000 member roup! It now ha s!! s
to all who are ting to the helping with and dona uis Jewish Winter Outreach, St Lo Community Drive!
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
43
COOKING
CORNER
Hearty Russian Chicken Stew
3 carrots, shredded 1 onion, diced
1 lb Kosher Chicken drumsticks and thighs (no skin) 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes 1 green pepper, cut int o small squares 2T diced fresh parsle y Salt and pepper to tas te 3T vegetable oil
Main Dishes
In thick bottomed, lar ge pot, heat oil. Add onions and saute un browned. Add carrot til s and mix. Cook for 5 minutes. Rinse chicken. Add to carrot and onion mixture. Mix and cover pot. Cook, covered, check ing every 10 minutes . When the liquid jus about covers the ch t icken, add a little wa ter to finish covering chicken. Add potatoes the , and cook until potat oes are tender. Add green pepper an d cook for 5 minutes more. Add parsley. Cook one more minu te. Stir and taste. Ad d salt and pepper as desired. Turn off stove top an d allow flavors to me rge for 10 minutes before serving. (If it is too liquid-y, add cor n starch.)
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St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB
1 2 Friday
AARP- Tax-Aide
Baby N Me
AARP Tax-Aide volunteers prepare free tax returns for individuals with low to moderate income, with an emphasis on seniors. Appointments are required. Call Customer Connect at 314-994-3300 beginning January 22, 2018 to make an appointment.
Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. As always, you are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
Urban Fort Play Cafe
314-569-0048
Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair. 1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104
VARIES, $8 & UNDER PER CHILD
Steinberg Skating Rink
2/1 10am-9pm Steinberg Skating Rink is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Midwest. Ice skating is available to the public every day (including holidays) through March 1st. The snowflake cafe will be open during skating sessions. All skating and concessions are cash only.
400 JEFFERSON DRIVE, ST. LOUIS MO 63110 ALL AGES AND ALL DAY SKATE ADMISSION: $7, SKATE RENTAL: $6 (WE OFFER HOCKEY AND FIGURE SKATES, SIZE TODDLER 6 THRU ADULT 15)
2 year old Story Time
2/1 10am-11am Join us for stories, songs and other fun activities to help develop early literacy skills. Ages 24-36 months. Adult must accompany child.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Ladies' Knight
2/1 6:30pm-7:30pm
Seniors
First Fridays at FOX
2/2 10am-11am Join us for a new once a month special family event. Every month features a different activity, including music, art, special guests and more. JCC FOX BUILDING COMPLEX, 16801 BAXTER RD. FREE
Emilie Brockman,314-442-3267, ebrockman@jccstl.org
Secular
2/1 9am-4pm
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS.
Open Play
2/2 10:30am-11:30am Where creativity and Imagination meet! You and your child can play and use your imaginations as you have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment JCC FOX BUILDING COMPLEX, 16801 BAXTER RD. FREE
Historic Soulard Market
Jewish
LEWIS AND CLARK BRANCH, 9909 LEWIS-CLARK BLVD.
2/2 10am-11:30am
2/2 7am-5pm The market has hot food, bakeries, produce, flowers and even a pet shop. The market is open year round 730 CARROLL STREET, 63104
African American Inventors
2/2 2pm-3pm Learn about African American Inventors thru crafts and activities in celebration of Black History Month. Ages 3-6. Registration required. SAMUEL C. SACHS BRANCH, 16400 BURKHARDT PL., CHESTERFIELD FREE
Open to women of all ages; the perfect class to learn and improve. Taught by IM Irene Sukandar and WGM Katerina Nemcova
CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF ST LOUIS, 4657 MARYLAND AVE, ST LOUIS, MO 63108
St. Louis Jewish Parents
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45
Schools & Synagogues
2/1 9:30am-1:30pm
CALENDAR
Thursday
FEB
3 4 5
Seniors
Saturday
CRC Rainbow
TE Tots
2/3 10am-11:30am
2/4 10am-10:45am
Open to the entire community, offered once a month for families with young children prior to entering Pre-K. These sessions are designed to create, and enhance, a Jewish home through music, art, stories, play, and group experiences.
Join us at Temple Emanuel. Each 45 minute Jewishly-themed session includes singing, laughing, moving and art. Join us for this early-years Jewish education with your small ones! (Children 6 months to 3 years with an adult.)
5020 WATERMAN BLVD, 63108 FREE
Maple Sugaring: Maple Sugar Festival
2/3 10am-3pm
Secular
It’s maple sugar time! Venture outdoors to Rockwoods Reservation and experience conservation success and forest resources at their finest - and sweetest! Visit the Sugar Bush to see tapped trees and collect sap. Boil the sap down like Colonial Americans at the Three Kettle Station, and see a more modern method at the Sugar Shed. Taste delicious syrup, sugar on snow taffy, and pure maple sugar. ROCKWOODS RESERVATION. PARKING AT 17200 MANCHESTER RD. SHUTTLES PROVIDED. FREE
Children's Garden Club
2/3 9am-11am
Jewish
Theme: Fun Things to Do in the Garden This Club is designed to educate and bring delight in gardening and horticulture through projects that participants begin themselves and take home to grow and enjoy. SAPPINGTON GARDEN CENTER FREE FOR KIDS. (314) 822-9095 OR EMAIL DWOLTER@STLOUISCO.COM.
Schools & Synagogues
Big Eyes, Big Minds International Children's Film Festival
2/3 11am-3pm
CALENDAR
The Saint Louis Zoo is showcasing the best films from around the world to educate, enrich and inspire kids ages 1 to 16 years old. All programs feature age-appropriate live-action and animated short films which are universally relevant to kids. The mission of the film festival is to expose children to diverse and imaginative works to broaden their view of the world, foster critical thinking and inspire creative expression.
ST LOUIS ZOO $8-$9 PER PERSON OVER AGE 2.
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Sunday
St. Louis Jewish Parents
TEMPLE EMANUEL, 12166 CONWAY RD, 63141 FREE AND OPEN TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
Aish Hebrew School and Adult Sunday School
2/4 10am-12pm At Aish, our kids love coming to Hebrew school because we teach them to love Judaism. We combine a rich learning environment with fun and enthusiasm. 457 N. WOODS MILL RD., CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 AFFORDABLE TUITION
Keeper Talks
2/4 9am-10am Meet outside the Wildlife Hospital at 9 am and join our keepers as they feed and water our birds. Learn what they are, how they got here, and what they all eat. WORLD BIRD SANCTUARY FREE
Sunday Chess Classes 2/4
starting from 1 pm
Beginners to advanced level classes for both kids and adults
WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME, 4652 MARYLAND AVE., ST LOUIS, MO 63108 FREE FOR MEMBERS. FIRST TIME TO THE CLUB IS FREE, SO NONMEMBERS GET IT FREE ONCE.
Family Sunday at St. Louis Art Museum
2/4 1pm-4pm Th Art of the Story. You're invited to the Museum every Sunday afternoon for hands-on art activities and a lively 30-minute family tour through the Galleries. ONE FINE ARTS DRIVE, FOREST PARK FREE
Monday
Open Play
2/5 9:30am-11:30am Where creativity and imagination meet! Open up to a world of new friends and new families where you and your child play and use your imaginations as you play and have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment, Ages 5 and under. JCC STAENBERG COMPLEX, 2 MILLSTONE CAMPUS DR FREE
Urban Fort Play Cafe
2/5 9am-4pm Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair.
1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104 VARIES, $8 & UNDER PER CHILD
Steinberg Skating Rink
2/5 10am-9pm Steinberg Skating Rink is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Midwest. Ice skating is available to the public every day (including holidays) through March 1st. The snowflake cafe will be open during skating sessions. All skating and concessions are cash only. 400 JEFFERSON DRIVE, ST. LOUIS, MO 63110 ALL AGES AND ALL DAY SKATE ADMISSION: $7, SKATE RENTAL: $6 (WE OFFER HOCKEY AND FIGURE SKATES, SIZE TODDLER 6 THRU ADULT 15)
Intro to Fly Fishing
2/5 7pm-9pm Ozark Fly Fishers is proud to co-host fly fishing classes in conjunction with the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation department. Ozark Fly Fishers is a fly fishing and conservation organization affiliated with the Federation of Fly Fishers whose primary objective is to improve fisheries and promote the sport of fly fishing. QUEENY PARK, 550 WEIDMAN RD, BALLWIN, MO 63011 ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY CALLING 314-615-8472.
$8 pp
6 7 8 9 Tuesday
Zumba Babies at B'nai Amoona ECC
2/6 9:15am-10:15am Zumba Babies combines music, dance, bonding, learning, and fun! Parent (adult) / Chld Class with Dina Haviv (parent, grandparent,nanny etc) For babies birth - 2 years old. BNAI AMOONA, 324 S MASON RD, 63141 FREE BUT RSVP NECESSARY, PAM@BNAIAMOONA.COM 314576-3688.
Temple Tots at United Hebrew
2/6 10am-11:30am This is a free playgroup for children up to age 3 and a caring adult. Make new friends, play, and celebrate being Jewish! Members and non members are welcome. 13788 CONWAY RD, 63141 FREE
#1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St Louis 2/6 10am-5pm Examine the local civil rights movement and the city’s leading role in advancing the cause of racial justice. From ground-level activism to 4 groundbreaking Supreme Court rulings, St. Louis has been front and center in contesting racial inequities. LEE AUDITORIUM, MO HISTORY MUSEUM FREE
Butterfly House: Free Admission Mornings
2/6 10am-12pm First Tuesday of every month, for STL City/County Residents, come see this butterfly zoo! (No strollers permitted.) 15193 OLIVE BLVD. 63017 FREE
Book Bites: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling
2/6 6:30pm-7:30pm Ages 9-12. A book club with activities, snacks and discussion of this month’s selection. Pick up a copy of the book at the Circulation desk. ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Baby N Me
2 year old Story Time
Baby N Me
Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. You are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
Join us for stories, songs and other fun activities to help develop early literacy skills. Ages 24-36 months. Adult must accompany child.
Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. As always, you are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
2/7 9:30am-10:45am
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS. 314-569-0048
Internet Basics
2/7 2pm-4pm Become more familiar with the Internet, navigating websites and Google search, storing bookmarks and printing. ST. LOUIS COUNTY
LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Free Admission Mornings for STL City/County Residents
2/7 8am-12pm Enjoy free admission to the Garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Proof of residency is required. MO BOTANICAL
GARDENS, 4344 SHAW BLVD,63110
Water Waddlers
2/7 10:30am-12pm Spend quality time splashing and playing with your little ones during this great morning activity before it gets too hot! This program is designed for children, ages 6 and under, accompanied by a parent/ guardian who is able to remain in the water with the child. 1050 DES PERES RD, 63131 $0- $7
Curiousity Lab
2/7 4pm-5pm Calling all young scientists! Drop by the Children's Area on the first Wednesday of every month for a fun hands-on science activity. ST. LOUIS
COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Wine Down Wednesday
2/7 6pm
2/8 10am-11am
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Teen Ink
2/8 6pm-6:55pm This monthly workshop offers the chance to share your writing, get feedback from peers, sharpen your skills, and discuss a variety of books and topics. Get ready to use your words! Ages 12-16. SAMUEL C. SACHS BRANCH, 16400 BURKHARDT PL., CHESTERFIELD FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Minecraft
2/8 6pm-7:15pm Ages 8-10. Explore the amazing world of Minecraft with other kids. Players of all skills welcome, no experience necessary.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Ladies' Knight
2/8 6:30pm-7:30pm Open to women of all ages; the perfect class to learn and improve. Taught by IM Irene Sukandar and WGM Katerina Nemcova
CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF ST LOUIS, 4657 MARYLAND AVE, ST LOUIS, MO 63108
2/9 10am-11:30am
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS.
314-569-0048
Temple Emanuel Tot Shabbat
2/9 10am-10:45am An exciting new twice-a-month Friday morning program for tots 6 months to 3 years with a parent or other adult. It'll be a Shabbatthemed class of singing, learning and moving with your little one. 12166 CONWAY ROAD, 63141 FREE AND OPEN TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
Open Play
2/9 10:30am-11:30am Where creativity and Imagination meet! You and your child can play and use your imaginations as you have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment JCC FOX BUILDING COMPLEX, 16801 BAXTER RD. FREE
Book Bingo
2/9 2pm-3pm Join us for an afternoon of bingo! Winners will choose from a selection of gently used books. Refreshments provided. ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
St Louis Zoo
2/9 9am-5pm The St Louis Zoo is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. 1 GOVERNMENT DR, 63110 FREE
Join all of us every Wednesday for fabulous guest instructors and wine! DIMVALOO ACTIVE LIVING, 8813 LADUE RD., 63124 314.824.8224. For
more information call our store or visit us on-line www.dimvaloo.com
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
47
FEB 10 11 12 Saturday
Saturday Morning Cartoon Experience at Saga Toys
Aish Hebrew School and Adult Sunday School
Come enjoy cereal and old school cartoons! Invite all your family and friends for a throwback Saturday Morning Cartoon Experience!!
At Aish, our kids love coming to Hebrew school because we teach them to love Judaism. We combine a rich learning environment with fun and enthusiasm.
2/10 9am
Seniors
7575 S LINDBERGH BLVD, 63125 FREE
Keeper Talks
2/10 9am-10am Meet outside the Wildlife Hospital at 9 am and join our keepers as they feed and water our birds. Learn what they are, how they got here, and what they all eat. WORLD BIRD SANCTUARY FREE
Secular
Museum of Transportation
2/10 9am-4pm Public tours, self-guided tours, miniature train, handcars.
2933 BARRETT STATION 63122 $8 FOR 13 YEARS+, $5 FOR CHILDREN
Missouri Mammals: Scout Discovery Tables
2/10 10am-2pm
Jewish
Our Scout Discovery Tables help Scouts earn portions of badges relating to nature. In this self-led program, you will learn about mammals’ habitats, their tracks, how they use their senses, etc., with pelts, skulls, and other identification resources available. Discovery Tables are also open to the general public. POWDER VALLEY CONSERVATION NATURE CENER FREE
Schools & Synagogues
Sunday
2/11 10am-12pm
457 N. WOODS MILL RD., CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 AFFORDABLE TUITION
Steinberg Skating Rink
2/11 10am-9pm Steinberg Skating Rink is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Midwest. Ice skating is available to the public every day (including holidays) through March 1st. The snowflake cafe will be open during skating sessions. All skating and concessions are cash only.
400 JEFFERSON DRIVE, ST. LOUIS MO 63110 ALL AGES AND ALL DAY SKATE ADMISSION: $7, SKATE RENTAL: $6 (WE OFFER HOCKEY AND FIGURE SKATES, SIZE TODDLER 6 THRU ADULT 15)
Purina Farms Pooch Playdate
2/11 11am-3pm Come out and play!
300 CHECKERBOARD DR, GRAY SUMMIT, MO 63039
Family Sunday at St. Louis Art Museum
2/11 1pm-4pm Th Art of the Story. You're invited to the Museum every Sunday afternoon for hands-on art activities and a lively 30-minute family tour through the Galleries. ONE FINE ARTS DRIVE, FOREST PARK FREE
Sunday Chess Classes 2/11
starting from 1 pm
CALENDAR
Beginners to advanced level classes for both kids and adults
WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME, 4652 MARYLAND AVE., ST LOUIS, MO 63108 FREE FOR MEMBERS. FIRST TIME TO THE CLUB IS FREE, SO NON-MEMBERS GET IT FREE ONCE.
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FEB 2018
St. Louis Jewish Parents
Monday
Open Play
2/12 9:30am-11:30am Where creativity and imagination meet! Open up to a world of new friends and new families where you and your child play and use your imaginations as you play and have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment, Ages 5 and under. JCC STAENBERG COMPLEX, 2 MILLSTONE CAMPUS DR FREE
Knit & Crochet
2/12 10am-11:30am Bring a Knit or Crochet project you are working on and join us for a get together/craft together! Show off your latest creation and see what others are working on. Get help on your project if you're stuck! ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE.
St Louis Zoo
2/12 9am-5pm The St Louis Zoo is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. 1 GOVERNMENT DR, 63110 FREE
Urban Fort Play Cafe
2/12 9am-4pm Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair.
1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104 VARIES, $8 & UNDER PER CHILD
Lap Time
2/12 9:30am-10:30am Join us for stories, songs and play time to help develop early literacy skills. Ages 0-36 months. Adult must accompany child. ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY HEADQUARTERS BRANCH FREE
13 14 15 16 Tuesday
Zumba Babies at B'nai Amoona ECC
2/13 9:15am-10:15am Zumba Babies combines music, dance, bonding, learning, and fun! Parent (adult) / Chld Class with Dina Haviv (parent, grandparent,nanny etc) For babies birth - 2 years old. BNAI AMOONA, 324 S MASON RD, 63141 FREE BUT RSVP NECESSARY, PAM@BNAIAMOONA.COM 314576-3688.
Temple Tots at United Hebrew
2/13 10am-11:30am This is a free playgroup for children up to age 3 and a caring adult. Make new friends, play, and celebrate being Jewish! Members and non members are welcome. 13788 CONWAY RD, 63141 FREE
Chair Yoga
2/13 11am-12pm
Wednesday
Museum of Transportation
Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. As always, you are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
Public tours, self-guided tours, miniature train, handcars.
2/14 9:30am-10:45am
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS.
314-569-0048
Water Waddlers
2/14 9:30am-10:30am Spend quality time splashing and playing with your little ones during this great morning activity before it gets too hot! This program is designed for children, ages 6 and under, accompanied by a parent/ guardian who is able to remain in the water with the child. 1050 DES PERES RD, 63131 $0- $7
Book Bites: Black History Month
Tuesday Tails
Enjoy a book discussion and a snack! This month's book features a famous African American, "Who Was Harriet Tubman?" by Yona Zeldis McDonough in celebration of Black History Month. Ages 7-10.
2/13 10:30am-11am Come for story time. No reservations are necessary, and all are welcome to attend class. Stories will be appropriate for children ages 2-5 years. 1705 S. HANLEY ROAD,
ST. LOUIS, MO 63144 FREE
Storytelling at the Museum
2/13 10:30am-11:15am Engaging our youngest visitors and their families in historic objects and museum settings by using traditional and contemporary storybooks. Children will also enjoy a hands-on craft or other activity. Ages 2-5. MO HISTORY MUSEUM, 5700 LINDELL BLVD, 63112 FREE
Friday
Baby N Me
NORC event. Meet at The Gathering Place at the J JCC STAENBERG
COMPLEX, 2 MILLSTONE CAMPUS DR RSVP TO LAURA AT 314-442-3255.
Thursday
2/14 4:30pm-5:15pm
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Wine Down Wednesday
2/14 6pm Join all of us every Wednesday for fabulous guest instructors and wine! DIMVALOO ACTIVE LIVING, 8813 LADUE RD., 63124
314.824.8224. For more information call our store or visit us on-line www.dimvaloo.com
Baking WorkshopChallah and Babka
2/14 7pm Come learn, bake and have fun with friends, as we help the shul (and sample some tasty treats)!
BAIS ABRAHAM CONGREGATION, 6910 DELMAR BLVD FREE, BUT PLEASE RSVP BY FEB 12TH TO GINAT MIDLER AT GINAT@BAISABE.COM
2/15 9am-4pm 2933 BARRETT STATION 63122 $8 FOR 13 YEARS+, $5 FOR CHILDREN
2 year old Story Time
2/15 10am-11am Join us for stories, songs and other fun activities to help develop early literacy skills. Ages 24-36 months. Adult must accompany child.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Urban Fort Play Cafe
2/15 9am-4pm Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair. 1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104 VARIES, $8 AND UNDER PER CHILD
Ladies' Knight
2/15 6:30pm-7:30pm Open to women of all ages; the perfect class to learn and improve. Taught by IM Irene Sukandar and WGM Katerina Nemcova
CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF ST LOUIS, 4657 MARYLAND AVE, ST LOUIS, MO 63108
West African Drum & Dance
2/15 6:30pm-7:30pm Experience the authentic music, dance and culture of West Africa. Performance by Rainbow Repertory Company. In celebration of Black History Month. All ages. ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE
Baby N Me
2/16 10am-11:30am Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. You are welcome to stay for Shabbat. SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS. 314-569-0048
Open Play
2/16 10:30am-11:30am Where creativity and Imagination meet! You and your child can play and use your imaginations as you have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment JCC FOX BUILDING COMPLEX, 16801 BAXTER RD. FREE
Water Waddlers
2/16 9:30am-10:30am Spend quality time splashing and playing with your little ones during this great morning activity before it gets too hot! This program is designed for children, ages 6 and under, accompanied by a parent/ guardian who is able to remain in the water with the child. 1050 DES PERES RD, 63131 $0- $7
St Louis Carousel at Faust Park
2/16 10am-4pm 60 hand carved horses and four deer, located within a climatecontrolled building inside beautiful Faust Park in West St. Louis County.
15189 OLIVE BLVD. CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 RIDES ARE $2/PERSON OR $5 FOR THREE RIDES. CHILDREN UNDER 1 ARE FREE WITH A PAID ADULT.
Family Sing-A-Long with Billy Jonas
2/16 5pm Open to the Community! Participation is the name of the game. It's a musical conversation, a sonic celebration, a splendiferous gathering. Featuring homemade instruments from found and recyclable objects. Finger-food dinner for kids provided.
KOL RINAH. 829 N. HANLEY RD, 63130 FREE, BUT RSVP BY 2/12/18 TO FAMILIES@KOLRINAHSTL.ORG
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
49
FEB
17 18 19 Saturday
Free Admission Mornings for STL City/County Residents
2/17 8am-12pm
Seniors
Enjoy free admission to the Garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Proof of residency is required. MO BOTANICAL GARDENS, 4344 SHAW BLVD,63110
Keeper Talks
2/17 9am-10am Meet outside the Wildlife Hospital at 9 am and join our keepers as they feed and water our birds. Learn what they are, how they got here, and what they all eat.
Secular
WORLD BIRD SANCTUARY FREE
Celebrate Black History with Ashley Bryan
2/17 10am-11am Learn about Ashley Bryan and make an inspired craft in celebration of Black History Month. Ages 5- 10. SAMUEL C. SACHS BRANCH, 16400 BURKHARDT PL., CHESTERFIELD FREE
Geo-Poker
Jewish
2/17 2pm-4pm
Schools & Synagogues
Hiking+Treasure Hunt+GPS+Poker=Fun! Come join us at a roaring fire, a wild animal park and a historic village. Play a unique game where you use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers. Collect tokens to trade for cards- who will get the best poker hand? Work with a team or search solo. Bring a GPS unit or a smartphone with GPS capability.
CALENDAR
WEST TYSON PARK, ROTH LODGE $8 PP. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED BY CALLING (314) 615-8822.
Sunday
Shirlee Green Preschool/ Camp Micah Open House
2/18 10am-2pm Come join us for our preschool and Camp Micah Open House. Meet the staff and take part in some fun activities SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD FREE
Aish Hebrew School and Adult Sunday School
2/18 10am-12pm At Aish, our kids love coming to Hebrew school because we teach them to love Judaism. We combine a rich learning environment with fun and enthusiasm. 457 N. WOODS MILL RD., CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 AFFORDABLE TUITION
FEB 2018
St. Louis Jewish Parents
Open Play
2/19 9:30am-11:30am Where creativity and imagination meet! Open up to a world of new friends and new families where you and your child play and use your imaginations as you play and have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment, Ages 5 and under. JCC STAENBERG COMPLEX, 2 MILLSTONE CAMPUS DR FREE
Lone Elk Park
2/19 7:30am-10pm Lone Elk Park is a wildlife management area, with bison, wild turkey, waterfowl, elk and deer. Motorcycles are prohibited. Domestic animals are not allowed, even if confined in a vehicle. 1 LONE ELK PARK RD, 63088 FREE
Sunday Chess Classes
Urban Fort Play Cafe
Beginners to advanced level classes for both kids and adults
Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair.
2/18
starting from 1 pm
WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME, 4652 MARYLAND AVE., ST LOUIS, MO 63108 FREE FOR MEMBERS. FIRST TIME TO THE CLUB IS FREE, SO NONMEMBERS GET IT FREE ONCE.
Cahokia Mounds Winter Lecture Series
2/18 2pm-3:30pm “The Lower Mississippi Valley Dark Ages: Deities, Rituals, and Trade” by David Dye, PhD. CAHOKIA MOUNDS- INTERPRETIVE CENTER AUDITORIUM FREE
Ellen Allard Concert
2/18 10am-10:45am Come to this concert by awardwinning recording artist, performer, and early childhood music specialist, sponsored by Rhyth n Ruach, Mirowitz, and PJ Library. She loves signing with kids, and their grownups! 348 S. MASON ROAD, 63141 FREE BUT RSVP PREFERRED, PBLOOM@MIROWITZ.ORG
50
Monday
2/19 9am-4pm
1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104 VARIES, $8 AND UNDER PER CHILD
St Louis Zoo
2/19 9am-5pm The St Louis Zoo is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. 1 GOVERNMENT DR, 63110 FREE
Wildlife: Busch Trading Post
2/19 10am-11:30am Ages 10 and younger. Be a great fur trader at the Busch Trading Post! Capture “furbearers”, barter with the post staff, and learn about why trapping is important to Missouri.
AUGUS A BUSCH CONSERVAION AREA FREE, BUT REGISTER BY 2/16.
20 21 22 23 Tuesday
Zumba Babies at B'nai Amoona ECC
2/20 9:15am-10:15am Zumba Babies combines music, dance, bonding, learning, and fun! Parent (adult) / Chld Class with Dina Haviv (parent, grandparent,nanny etc) For babies birth - 2 years old. BNAI AMOONA, 324 S MASON RD, 63141 FREE BUT RSVP NECESSARY, PAM@BNAIAMOONA.COM 314-576-3688.
Temple Tots at United Hebrew
2/20 10am-11:30am This is a free playgroup for children up to age 3 and a caring adult. Make new friends, play, and celebrate being Jewish! Members and non members are welcome. 13788 CONWAY RD, 63141 FREE
Chair Yoga
2/20 11am-12pm NORC event. Meet at The Gathering Place at the J ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY: HEADQUARTERS FREE, REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. CALL 314-994-3300
Purim Community Service
2/20 10:30am-11:30am Women's Philanthropy will host two times to come and package Purim bags for those served by JFandCS's Chaplaincy Program. Children are welcome. CONGREGATION TEMPLE ISRAEL, #1 RABBI ALVAN D. RUBIN DRIVE CHILDREN ARE WELCOME.
Purim Community Service
2/20 6:30pm-7:30pm Women's Philanthropy will host two times to come and package Purim bags for those served by JFandCS's Chaplaincy Program. Children are welcome. CONGREGATION TEMPLE ISRAEL, #1 RABBI ALVAN D. RUBIN DRIVE CHILDREN ARE WELCOME.
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Baby N Me
2 yr old story time
Baby N Me
Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. As always, you are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
Join us for stories, songs and play time to help develop early literacy skills. Ages 24-36 months. Adult must accompany child.
Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. As always, you are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
2/21 9:30am-10:45am
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS.
314-569-0048
Free Admission Mornings for STL City/County Residents
2/21 8am-12pm Enjoy free admission to the Garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Proof of residency is required. MO BOTANICAL GARDENS, 4344 SHAW BLVD,63110
Water Waddlers
2/21 9:30am-10:30am Spend quality time splashing and playing with your little ones during this great morning activity before it gets too hot! This program is designed for children, ages 6 and under, accompanied by a parent/ guardian who is able to remain in the water with the child. 1050 DES PERES RD, 63131 $0- $7
Ready Readers' Science Story Time
2/21 10:15am-11am Presenting an interactive reading of a science themed story, and then a related hands-on activity. Each week a different book is read. ST LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER, 5050 OAKLAND AVE. FREE
Wine Down Wednesday
2/21 6pm Join all of us every Wednesday for fabulous guest instructors and wine!
DIMVALOO ACTIVE LIVING, 8813 LADUE RD., 63124
2/22 10am-11am
ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY HEADQUARTERS BRANCH FREE
St Louis Carousel at Faust Park
2/22 10am-4pm 60 hand carved horses and four deer, located within a climatecontrolled building inside beautiful Faust Park in West St. Louis County.
15189 OLIVE BLVD. CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 RIDES ARE $2/PERSON OR $5 FOR THREE RIDES. CHILDREN UNDER 1 ARE FREE WITH A PAID ADULT.
Death By Chocolate
2/22 6:30pm-7:30pm Calling all chocolae lovers! Join us for a choco-rific adventure! SAMUEL C. SACHS BRANCH, 16400 BURKHARDT PL., CHESTERFIELD FREE
2/23 10am-11:30am
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS.
314-569-0048
Open Play
2/23 10:30am-11:30am Where creativity and Imagination meet! You and your child can play and use your imaginations as you have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment JCC FOX BUILDING COMPLEX, 16801 BAXTER RD. FREE
Historic Soulard Market
2/23 7am-5pm The market has hot food, bakeries, produce, flowers and even a pet shop. The market is open year round 730 CARROLL STREET, 63104
Ladies' Knight
St Louis Science Center
2/22 6:30pm-7:30pm
2/23 9:30am-4:30pm
Open to women of all ages; the perfect class to learn and improve. Taught by IM Irene Sukandar and WGM Katerina Nemcova
We put the element of fun into science. 5050 OAKLAND AVE. FREE
CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF ST LOUIS, 4657 MARYLAND AVE, ST LOUIS, MO 63108
#1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St Louis 2/23 10am-5pm Examine the local civil rights movement and the city’s leading role in advancing the cause of racial justice. From ground-level activism to 4 groundbreaking Supreme Court rulings, St. Louis has been front and center in contesting racial inequities. LEE AUDITORIUM, MO HISTORY MUSEUM FREE
314.824.8224. For more information call our store or visit us on-line www.dimvaloo.com
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
51
FEB
24 25 26 Saturday
Free Admission Mornings for STL City/County Residents
2/24 8am-12pm
Seniors
Enjoy free admission to the Garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Proof of residency is required. MO BOTANICAL GARDENS, 4344 SHAW BLVD,63110
Urban Fort Play Cafe
2/24 9am-4pm
Secular
Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair. 1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104 VARIES, $8 AND UNDER PER CHILD
Jewish
TE Tots
Open Play
Join us at Temple Emanuel. Each 45 minute Jewishly-themed session includes singing, laughing, moving and art. Join us for this early-years Jewish education with your small ones! (Children 6 months to 3 years with an adult.)
Where creativity and imagination meet! Open up to a world of new friends and new families where you and your child play and use your imaginations as you play and have fun in a relaxed, non-structured environment, Ages 5 and under.
2/25 10am-10:45am
JCC STAENBERG COMPLEX, 2 MILLSTONE CAMPUS DR FREE
Aish Hebrew School and Adult Sunday School
2/26 9am-5pm
2/25 10am-12pm At Aish, our kids love coming to Hebrew school because we teach them to love Judaism. We combine a rich learning environment with fun and enthusiasm. 457 N. WOODS MILL RD., CHESTERFIELD, MO 63017 AFFORDABLE TUITION
Steinberg Skating Rink is the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the Midwest. Ice skating is available to the public every day (including holidays) through March 1st. The snowflake cafe will be open during skating sessions. All skating and concessions are cash only.
Beginners to advanced level classes for both kids and adults
Adventures with Star Wars
2/24 1pm-2pm Star Wars themed activities using LEGO bricks and other interactive learning tools. Build scenes from the movie, ships, lightsabers and more. Presented by Snapology. Ages 7-12 SAMUEL C. SACHS BRANCH, 16400 BURKHARDT PL., CHESTERFIELD FREE
2/25
starting from 1 pm
WORLD CHESS HALL OF FAME, 4652 MARYLAND AVE., ST LOUIS, MO 63108 FREE FOR MEMBERS. FIRST TIME TO THE CLUB IS FREE, SO NONMEMBERS GET IT FREE ONCE.
Bnai Amoona Purim Carnival
2/25 11:30am-1:30pm Grab your costume and join us for food and games with fun for all ages! BNAI AMOONA, 324 S MASON RD, 63141 VARIES
Purim Carnival at Shaare Emeth
2/25 10:30am-1pm Boker Tov Purim Celebration with the Band. Wear a costume and win a prize! Purim Carnival games! Purchase a wristband in the Temple office or online for unlimited access to games.
CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD IF YOU BUY YOURS BETWEEN FEBRUARY 4TH AND 23RD, THE COST IN $13. THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR $15 ON THE DAY OF THE CARNIVAL.
52
FEB 2018
St. Louis Jewish Parents
2/26 9:30am-11:30am
TEMPLE EMANUEL, 12166 CONWAY RD, 63141 FREE AND OPEN TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY
Sunday Chess Classes
400 JEFFERSON DRIVE, ST. LOUIS MO 63110 ALL AGES AND ALL DAY SKATE ADMISSION: $7, SKATE RENTAL: $6 (WE OFFER HOCKEY AND FIGURE SKATES, SIZE TODDLER 6 THRU ADULT 15)
Schools & Synagogues
Monday
Steinberg Skating Rink
2/24 10am-9pm
CALENDAR
Sunday
St Louis Zoo
The St Louis Zoo is recognized as a leading zoo in animal management, research, conservation, and education. 1 GOVERNMENT DR, 63110 FREE
Urban Fort Play Cafe
2/26 9am-4pm Our perfectly designed play space is an excellent environment where your kiddos can explore, learn, and discover. Parent supervision is required. With this in mind, our space is set up so that you can have eyes on your child from every angle, while still remaining comfortable in your chair. 1854 RUSSELL BLVD, 63104 VARIES, $8 AND UNDER PER CHILD
Lap Time
2/26 9:30am-10:30am Join us for stories, songs and play time to help develop early literacy skills. Ages 0-36 months. Adult must accompany child. ST. LOUIS COUNTY LIBRARY HEADQUARTERS BRANCH FREE
Baking WorkshopHamentaschen
2/26 7pm Come learn, bake and have fun with friends, as we help the shul (and sample some tasty treats)! BAIS ABRAHAM CONGREGATION, 6910 DELMAR BLVD FREE, BUT PLEASE RSVP BY FEB 12TH TO GINAT MIDLER AT GINAT@BAISABE.COM
27 28 Tuesday
Zumba Babies at B'nai Amoona ECC
Wednesday
2/27 9:15am-10:15am
Free Admission Mornings for STL City/County Residents
Zumba Babies combines music, dance, bonding, learning, and fun! Parent (adult) / Chld Class with Dina Haviv (parent, grandparent,nanny etc) For babies birth - 2 years old.
Enjoy free admission to the Garden on Wednesday and Saturday mornings before noon. Proof of residency is required. MO BOTANICAL GARDENS,
BNAI AMOONA, 324 S MASON RD, 63141 FREE BUT RSVP NECESSARY, PAM@BNAIAMOONA.COM 314-576-3688.
Temple Tots at United Hebrew
2/27 10am-11:30am This is a free playgroup for children up to age 3 and a caring adult. Make new friends, play, and celebrate being Jewish! Members and non members are welcome. 13788 CONWAY RD, 63141 FREE
Chair Yoga
2/27 11am-12pm NORC event. Meet at The Gathering Place at the J JCC STAENBERG COMPLEX, 2 MILLSTONE CAMPUS DR RSVP TO LAURA AT 314-442-3255.
Tuesday Tails
2/27 10:30am-11am Come for story time. No reservations are necessary, and all are welcome to attend class. Stories will be appropriate for children ages 2-5 years. 1705 S. HANLEY ROAD,
ST. LOUIS, MO 63144 FREE
Gifted Support Network's Summer Camp Fair and Speaker
2/27 6:30pm We are excited to announce that will have summer camp program representatives from various organizations around the St. Louis area, such as Washington University, Maryville University, MEGSSS and more, This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you might have about programs you may be interested in, and even save your child a spot for the summer! LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY, SPELLMAN CENTER (A-B LEADERSHIP ROOM, 4TH FLOOR) FREE
2/28 8am-12pm
4344 SHAW BLVD,63110
Water Waddlers
2/28 9:30am-10:30am Spend quality time splashing and playing with your little ones during this great morning activity before it gets too hot! This program is designed for children, ages 6 & under, accompanied by a parent/guardian who is able to remain in the water with the child. 1050 DES PERES RD, 63131 $0- $7
Baby N Me
2/28 9:30am-10:45am Come join us at Shirlee Green Preschool to socialize, share music, enjoy a snack, and gentle activity. You are welcome to stay for Shabbat.
SHIRLEE GREEN PRESCHOOL AT CONGREGATION SHAARE EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD, RM 8 FREE TO MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS. 314-569-0048
Wine Down Wednesday
2/28 6pm Join all of us every Wednesday for fabulous guest instructors and wine!
DIMVALOO ACTIVE LIVING, 8813 LADUE RD., 63124 314.824.8224. For more
information call our store or visit us on-line www.dimvaloo.com
QUEEN Esther’s Purim: A Rock Opera Featuring the Music of Queen
2/28 7pm This incredible shpiel was written by Patrick Siler and merges the music of QUEEN with the story of Esther for a Purim celebration unlike any other. The performance will feature the Mack Daddyz and the Not-Ready-for-PurimTime Players with musical direction by Steve Neale. CONGREGATION SHAARE
EMETH, 11645 LADUE ROAD FREE, BUT PLEASE BRING DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE PROTEINS (PEANUT BUTTER, CANNED CHILI, HEARTY SOUPS, ETC.) TO BE DONATED TO THE HARVEY KORNBLUM FOOD PANTRY.
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
53
“BABY” BUSINESSES
New listing for February Listed in January Turning 1 year old!
3 months
2 months
5
(314) 720-8557, (636) 552-4140 9603 Manchester Road, 63119 and 703 Long Rd Crossing Dr, 63005 www.buoyantspa.com
54
FEB 2018
St. Louis Jewish Parents
Haimann Family Counseling
We offer an amazing Taekwondo program for ages 4 to adult. Our core programs will provide life skills that will last you a lifetime!
TymeMachine Introducing advanced techniques early to children, laying the foundation in Robotics, Cyber securities, Biometrics, 3D printing. Kids can then creatively think of better and cooler solutions and gain a competitive advantage for tomorrow.
Flamenco Flowers & Sweets Outstanding floral designs and gourmet sweets for every occasion, including weddings, anniversaries and holidays. We design gift baskets large and small to create one-of-a-kind gifts. Flamencoflowers@gmail.com 314-456-6027 FlamencoFlowersSweets
6
Specializing in providing social, emotional, and behavioral support for children, adolescents, and their families. Sarah Haimann, MSW, LCSW haimann.counseling@gmail.com 314-266-9828 8008 Carondelet Ave., Suite 104, Clayton 63105
6
months
(314) 376-4235 1854 Russell Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63104 www.urbanfortcafe.com urbanfortstl
5 months
months
For Little's and their Grown-ups. Urban Fort is a coffeehouse with 1200 sq ft of play space for kiddos aged 0-7. We provide the perfect place for parents to relax with a friend or a good book while their kids are fully entertained by a custom built train table, play fort, pretend farmer's market, dress up area, & much more!!
A tranquil place to relax mind & body. Float for 60 minutes in 200 gallons of water mixed with 850 pounds of medical-grade Epsom salt. Buoyant Spa’s clean pods are the only pods in the market that empty out in-between each floater.
months
months
Urban Fort Play Cafe
Bouyant Float Spa
Rise Martial Arts
suparba@tymemachine.org 314-677-8816 14137 Clayton Road, Town and Country, MO 63017 www.tymemachine.org
anya@anyasapothekere anyasapothekere anyasapothekere.com
Dr.Amy@wholefoodismedicine.com 314-852-3626 www.wholefoodismedicine.com
2
A luxury lifestyle brand made with the finest natural and organic ingredients to enhance one's mind, body and spirit.
Learn the secrets of creating Sourdough bread at home! I'm offering hands-on Sourdough bread baking workshops which I'll be sharing everything you need to know about Artisan Sourdough bread baking and maintaining your very own Sourdough.
Renee Dudding risemastl@gmail.com 636-226-6599 risemastl
6
Anya's Apothekere
Whole Food Is Medicine We aim to transform individuals into their healthiest self through a whole food first approach to eating combined with healthy lifestyle behavior changes. Owned by Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Dr. Amy Knoblock-Hahn, we recognize your first wealth is your health and your second wealth is your time. We offer real time virtual appointments and e-consults for weight loss and weight management, prediabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and general health, wellness, and disease prevention.
months
8944 St. Charles Rock Road, 3rd Floor info@northwestchamber.com http://www.northwestchamber.com/
3 months
314-291-2131
moveinstyle@stlouisdancewear.com 314-733-5678 9644 Olive Blvd., Olivette, MO 63132 @stldancewear www.stlouisdancewear.com
5 months
Brian Goldman, President/CEO
At St. Louis Dancewear you will discover beautiful dance basics, a variety of dance shoes, and modern dance fashion plus a selection of unique gifts. We carry Gaynor Minden, Russian Pointe, and Wear Moi Omega pointe shoes - please call to schedule a fitting. Drop off gently used dancewear, shoes, or costumes for Traveling Tutus and EM's Spotlight. Follow us on social media for upcoming sales and promotions
Eyal's Bread
Eyal Ben Avraham 314-556-7006 eyalsbread
St Louis Dancewear
NORTHWEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE We are one of the fastest growing Chambers in Missouri! We are a Chamber without borders. We provide unique opportunities to do business and build relationships. If you have any questions or are interested in the Chamber, give us a call!
months
Young start-ups help our community’s economy. Look here monthly to see what is new!
5
The Needlepoint Clubhouse Under new ownership, come check out what you can do! (Including talit bags and kippot.) We are your one stop needlepoint shop specializing in the best selection of threads, beads, books, classes, workshops, notions and canvas. 314-432-2555 717 N. New Ballas Rd, 63141 www.needlepointclubhouse.com The Needlepoint Clubhouse
months
8
Amp Up Action Park St. Louis' newest indoor entertainment venue. Join us for high-performance karting, an elevated ropes course challenge, threelevel laser tag and massive arcade gaming. Suitable for large and small groups of multiple generations. Trackside Tavern available for guests 21 and older.
The Pet Nanny St. Louis is a concierge pet care service providing dog walking, pet sitting, drop-ins and overnights. Bonded and insured, their slogan is When You're Away, I Will Stay!
months
8
Shock City School of Music
We help businesses grow through our online marketing firm. We specialize in website development, search engine optimization, social media, paid search & video production. Turn The Page is a Google premier partner, which means it provides freaky results to its clients.
Beth Hammock, Managing Director beth@turnthepage-onlinemarketing.com 314-896-1989 2 Cityplace Drive, Suite 200-64, St. Louis, MO 63141 turnthepagestlouis.com
1
No time to prepare healthy meals?! No worries! Salads to Your Door provides you with a weekly delivery of 5 "full meal gourmet salads" straight to your door. Perfect to take to eat on the go or at home and conveniently priced, each salad provides you with a healthy balance of veggies, proteins, healthy fats to help you stay healthy, feel energized and lose weight. Chanala Rubenfeld chanalar@gmail.com www.salads2yourdoor.com busy and healthy moms
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Cruze Delivery At Cruze Delivery, we deliver food for restaurants that you wish offered delivery!
Tyler Kaelin facebook: cruzedelivery www.cruzedelivery.com/
Congratulations successful sprouts celebrating 1 year in business!
KINETIC Counseling KINETIC counseling provides, individual, couples and family therapy. With the primary objective of helping clients gain forward momentum, some of the therapeutic tools employed include Cognitive behavior therapy, Cognitive processing therapy, stress reduction techniques, mindfulness strategies and Dialectical behavior therapy. Carly Cooper info@KINETICcounseling.org 314-607-8444 408 N. Euclid, STL, MO 63108 www.KINETICcounseling.org
1 year
Turn The Page St. Louis
Salads to Your Door
months
months
NOW OPEN- An affiliate of the most trusted recording studio in St. Louis, Shock City Studios! Our unique and classic music school is located within Shock City Studios, which offers a one of a kind music lesson experience. We offer private guitar, piano, and voice lessons for all ages and abilities and Mommy & Me classes for children 3 months - 3 years. Shock City School of Music also offers performance training, studio training, and recording.
11
year
months
314-439-8008 13901 Manchester Road, 63011 www.ampupactionpark.com
The Pet Nanny, St Louis
Genny Lobonc Billhartz, music director gen@shockcityschool.com 314-750-9395 www.shockcityschool.com shockcityschool
We are dedicated to educating and empowering clients, like you, to confidently choose the insurance coverage that best protects your family, assets, and finances. In addition to providing a personalized approach to your insurance needs, we pride ourselves on consistently delivering a pleasant and efficient client experience.
months
months
We provide affordable, high quality office furniture to small through large businesses. We even have a free, space planning service.
Paul.Schapp@CycleBar.com 11625 Olive Blvd, Creve Coeur, 63141 CreveCoeur.CycleBar.com
Jasper Insurance Agency
ajasper@farmersagent.com 314-403-1744 https://agents.farmers.com/ajasper ajasperfarmersagent
Better Office Furniture
iris@thepetnannystlouis.com 314.495.3017 www.ThePetNannyStLouis.com ThePetNannyStLouis
7
8 months
months
Exclusive private and group chess lessons online and in person, by a chess International Master and certified professional chess coach. As a national champion with over 25+ years of experience, I offer innovative training methods, in a powerful program that fits all ages and levels.
314-266-9083 3711 Mueller Rd, St. Charles, MO 63301 www.BetterOfficeFurniture.com Better Office Furniture
7
This Premium Indoor Cycling Studio is a rock concert on a bike! We have the best instructors in the city that motivate you to take fitness to the next level! We provide shoes, water bottles, and shower facilities so all you have to do is come for a good time!
Powerful Chess, LLC
Vitaly Neimer info@powerfulchess.com www.PowerfulChess.com PowerfulChess
7
CycleBar Creve Coeur
month
6
11
My Jewish Journey Creating memories one box at a time, a complete craft project with detailed instructions are delivered to your door for children ages 3-7 yrs. The intent is to have parents help children complete a Jewish related craft. Project boxes include: recipes, a book, project supplies, and detailed instructions. The My Jewish Journey series contains many items to learn about Jewish holidays, customs and other Jewish topics from the comfort of your own home. Sherri Tons myjewishjourney@yahoo.com 314.954.4986 myjewishjourney.net
St. Louis Jewish Parents
FEB 2018
55
WE STORIES HAS INSPIRED 600+ ST. LOUIS FAMILIES TO TALK ABOUT RACISM AND BECOME ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE
together we can write a new story for st. louis
St. Louis, like so many other places in America, is a story of
Through partnerships with local libraries and bookstores,
contradictions. It is known as a great place to raise a family,
hundreds more families have exposure to diverse characters.
and is also recognized as a place defined by deep and
At more and more dinner tables, workplaces and schools where
painful racial inequities.
silence around race has been the norm, We Stories families are
How can we rewrite the narrative of St. Louis? How can we
leaning in and making change!
take a fresh look at our challenges and imagine something
Join us in helping our city reach its promise by becoming a
better? What would it take to make our community a place
donor, participant, or supporter today!
that all our children are proud to call home?
Give, Join, Support - visit www.beapageturner.org or sign up for our May 2018 program
To find out more, visit our website www.westories.org, call 314-405-8200 or contact Laura Horwitz, co-founder and Executive Director at hello@westories.org.