Israel Month

Kol Yisrael Shabbat

Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m. with Deutsch Scholar-in-Residence Dr. Ayala Hendin

A Special Shabbat Evening Marking Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Keep reading for more details

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Friday, May 10 • 6 p.m. Service • 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Program

Kol Yisrael means ‘All of Israel’ or ‘Voice of Israel’ – We invite all of you to an evening of lifting your voices, listening to the beautiful voices of Shaare Emeth’s choirs, hearing new voices and perspectives on Israel, and sharing a dinner together. We have the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Ayala Hendin as our Deutsch Scholar-in-Residence for this Shabbat, where she will speak on two topics:

You Shall Be Holy: Our Institutional & Communal Roles in the Current War Between Israel & Hamas

During Kabbalat Shabbat Worship

Join our Rabbis, Cantor Seth Warner, Lucy Greenbaum, and the combined Congregation Shaare Emeth Intergenerational Choir, comprised of our Adult Choir and Shir Emeth Youth Choir, at this unique worship service. We’ll mark two Israeli holidays, Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), hear a sermon from Dr. Hendin, hear Israeli voices, and surround each other in a supportive community.

How to Navigate Where We Stand When It Comes to Israel

During Shabbat Dinner

Join us following services for an Israeli-inspired Shabbat dinner during which Dr. Hendin will lead us in a study and conversation. This interactive session will invite those of all ages to share in learning, in the spirit of Shabbat, about our own views of Israel and those of others.

Dinner is priced at $15 per person aged 13 and older, $12 for children ages 2-13, or free for children under age 2.

This Scholar-in-Residence Program is made possible through the Fred and Elsie Deutsch Endowment Fund. The Congregation would like to thank Roberta and Jim Deutsch, Judy and Larry Deutsch, and their families for their continuous generous support for the Scholar-in-Residence program.

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Dr. Ayala Hendin is an Israel fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, teaching Israeli politics, policy, and society. Her research focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies; higher education policy; and activism in Israel. Her current projects analyze the equality trap embedded in higher education policies toward ethnic, national, and religious minorities; and the impact of October 7th and the war to follow on the Israeli higher education internationalization agenda.

Hendin was the founding director of “Israeli Hope in Academia,” a flagship national program of Israel’s 10th President, Reuven Rivlin. She also consulted for the Council for Higher Education and the Ministry of Regional Cooperation. She completed her PhD at Ben-Gurion University (2021) and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Minerva Center for Human Rights at Hebrew University (2021/22), and is passionate about connecting research, policy, and practice.

Unraveling the Psyche of Hate

Psychiatry’s Role in Confronting Anti-Semitism with Dr. H. Steven Moffic

Sunday, May 19 at 7 p.m. with Dessert Reception Following

A Rabbi Jeffrey B. Stiffman Lecture at Congregation Shaare Emeth

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Dr. H. Steven Moffic is an award-winning psychiatrist who specialized in the cultural and ethical aspects of psychiatry and is now in retirement as a private pro bono community psychiatrist. A prolific writer, author and speaker, he has done a weekday column titled “Psychiatric Views on the Daily News”and a weekly video, “Psychiatry & Society,” since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged. He is the recipient of the 2024 Abraham Halpern Humanitarian Award from the American Association for Social Psychiatry and countless other awards.

He is an advocate and activist for many mental health issues related to climate instability, physician burnout, and xenophobia. He is now editing the final volume of a 4-volume series on religions, psychiatry, Islamophobia, and Antisemitism and serves on the Editorial Board of Psychiatric Times.

This special lecture is co-sponsored by Shaare Emeth Mental Health Initiative.

Cook & Chat with Naama Herz

Wednesdays, May 15 & 22 at 7 p.m. in the Main Kitchen

Learn Israeli Recipes with Our Shinshinit, Naama Herz!

Join us for one or both sessions to learn three of Naama’s favorite recipes, hear the stories behind them, and taste them, too.

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Texting Tuesdays

10–11 a.m. • Tuesdays in the Rubin Library Conference Room

Together we will use the wisdom of sacred Jewish texts and build a kehillah kedoshah that nurtures our minds, hearts, and souls. Join us for as many as you are able – each week features a different topic and teacher. Texting Tuesdays is free.

Tuesday, May 7: Ancient Boundaries – Exploring What Separated Ancient Jews and Christians

With Rabbi Bearman • In the first centuries of the Common Era, the emergence of the Christian movement pushed both the Jewish and new Christian communities to create clear boundaries between the two religions. This class will explore the internal and external pressures behind those boundaries and how these “dividing lines” have shifted, blurred, and sharpened over the past two thousand years.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024: Yom Ha’atzmaut Is Real – Contemporary Reflections on Israel Independence Day

With Naama Herz, our Shinishinit, and Rabbi Bennett • Join us for a special Yom Ha’atzmaut Texting Tuesday as we explore the special meaning of this Israel Independence Day, and discuss the meaning of Israel in our lives.

Tuesday, May 21 and May 28: Israel and Palestine – Doomed to Conflict or Harbingers of Hope?

With Rabbi Jim Bennett • In this two-week course, Rabbi Bennett will lead us on an exploration of the narratives that underlie the conflicts between Israel and Palestine, and invite us to discuss and explore if these narratives must compete, or if there is a possibility that they can coexist and lead to peace. We invite you to join with open minds and hopeful hearts.

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Community Programs

"The Yom" Holidays

Yom HaShoah: Never Again is Now

Sunday, May 5 at 3 p.m. Congregation Shaare Emeth
Join the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum as we honor the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who were murdered during one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Register Here

Yom HaZikaron Ceremony

Sunday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The J Staenberg Family Complex
Yom HaZikaron is an Israeli day of remembrance of fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks. Join us in commemoration of our fallen brothers and sisters, and their families. Free, all ages welcome.

Yom HaAtzmaut: Celebrate Israel @ 76

Tuesday, May 14 at 5 p.m.
Chesterfield Amphitheater
An evening of unity, resilience, and hope. The J will host activities for families, sell traditional Israeli foods, bring local vendors, and perform live music, including Israeli artist Yuval Halaf. Free, open to all.
Register Here

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ABOUT

Debbie & Mike Lefton

2024 Harris Frank Community Service Award Honorees

Debbie and Michael Lefton have been dedicated members of the Shaare Emeth community and the broader St. Louis Jewish community for many years, contributing their time and talents in numerous ways.

Debbie has been a member of Shaare Emeth since the 5th grade, attending Sunday School and confirmation. Debbie and Mike have been married for 27 years and became family members of  Shaare Emeth in 1996. Their children Sydney, and Jacob, both attend Shirlee Green Preschool, celebrated their b’not mitzvah, and attended Shaare Emeth Camps. Debbie and Mike have been actively involved in various committees at Shaare Emeth throughout the years; Debbie serving as the President of the Shirlee Green Preschool and Mike serving on the Board of Trustees and the Operating Committee for 12 years including President of our congregation.

Their commitment to education and community service extends beyond Shaare Emeth. They are true examples of community service heroes. In 2019 the Lefton Family received the American Jewish Committee Netzach Award and in 2022, Debbie and Mike were honored with the JProStL Community Leader Partnership Award.

After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Life Services, she worked as a Child Life Specialist at Wyler Children’s Hospital in Chicago and St. Louis Children’s Hospital for 12 years. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services from Washington University.

At the St. Louis Jewish Community Center, Debbie has chaired several committees, including the Children’s Activity Center, the Camp Sabra Alumni Committee, and the Mission Task Force Committee. She has also co-chaired the Jewish Book Festival Women’s Event, the St. Louis Maccabi Games Closing Ceremonies and has served on the  J Associates Board for 16 years, completing a term as President in 2022. Currently, Debbie serves as an Officer on the Executive Committee at the JCC and is Co-Chairing the Fox Building Capital Campaign. Debbie received the St. Louis Jewish Community Center Richard S. Weiss Past Presidents Award in 2018.

Debbie’s involvement in the St. Louis Jewish Federation includes serving on the Board of CAJE and Women’s Philanthropy and recently began an 8-year term on the National Jewish Federations Women’s Philanthropy Board. Debbie served on the Camp Rainbow Board of Directors and 28 years. Currently, Debbie is a board member of The St. Louis Jewish Light and The St. Louis Children’s Hospital Friends Board.  Debbie received the MAC Women of Distinction honor in 2023.

Michael holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Michael began his career with Metal Exchange in 1984 and now serves as Executive Chairman. Under his leadership, Metal Exchange has grown into a global enterprise with a strong international presence, including offices in Zurich and Shanghai. The company’s diverse operations include manufacturing, marketing, trading, metal processing, distribution, and transportation of nonferrous metals.

Mike’s commitment to community service is evident through his current roles as Board President of Variety the Children’s Charity of St. Louis and Regional President of the American Jewish Committee – St. Louis. Mike served as President of the St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer for seven years and is Immediate Past President. Mike received the Presidential Citation Award from Variety the Children’s Charity international in 2019.

Additionally, Mike currently serves on several boards, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, National Council of Jewish Women Advisory Council, Jewish Federation Professional Society Leadership Advisory Council, and Heat-Up/Cool Down St. Louis.

Debbie and Mike reside in St. Louis and are the proud parents of two adult children, Sydney 26, who lives in Tel Aviv, and Jacob 24, who resides in Cincinnati. The Lefton family are avid hockey fans, enjoy theatre, traveling and spending time in Colorado.

The Shaare Emeth community is honored to celebrate Debbie and Michael Lefton for their unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to our community and beyond.