Caring Community

Congregation Shaare Emeth’s

Chesed/Caring Committee

Caring for Our Community

Are You In Need of a Helping Hand?

We’re here for you. Here are a few of the things our team of 200+ Chesed volunteers can help with. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ask for a Shiva Sitter: House Sitting

Do you need someone to stay at your home during the funeral for safety or to receive deliveries? We will sit at your house until you return from the funeral. Please note that we are unable to set up the meal, just receive the food and other deliveries. We will leave when you return home from the funeral.

Staff Contact:
Stacy Jespersen

Ask for After Shiva Food Pick-Up

Do you need someone to come to your home to pick up the extra food from shiva and deliver to Room at the Inn? We will work with you on a time to pick up wrapped food that you no longer need.

Staff Contact:
Stacy Jespersen

Ask for a Ride

Do you need a ride for a medical appointment? Do you need a ride for services at Temple or a program? A minimum of 3 days’ notice is preferred to find a volunteer. In special circumstances, volunteers can provide rides on a short-term basis.

Staff Contact:
Debbie Bram

Ask for a Meal

Are you or your family in need of a meal to ease the burden of an illness or situation? Meals may be home-cooked, store-bought, or from a restaurant. Dietary restrictions will be honored.

Staff Contact:
Debbie Bram

Ask for a Call or Visit

Are you feeling isolated or alone? Are you having difficulty getting to Temple or would like a visit from one of our volunteers? Would you like a call from one of our volunteers?

Staff Contact:
Stacy Jespersen

Be a Chesed Volunteer

Extend a helping hand by volunteering in partnership with our clergy and staff to support our members.

We are committed to being a welcoming and caring community for our members both in times of joy and need. Caring and loving kindness are so important that the Torah begins and ends with these acts. Our Congregation has a variety of committees that directly address mental health, mourning, sickness, and loneliness, as well as times of joy. Sign Up For Our Caring Committee

In Times of Loss


Shiva Committee

Volunteers provide comfort to the family experiencing a loss through phone calls, a visit, and a booklet of prayers and poems.

Volunteer Chair: 
Linda Sandmel

Shiva Sitters:
House Sitting

Volunteers will stay at the home during the funeral for safety purposes and to receive deliveries. This allows relatives or friends to attend the funeral.

Volunteer Chairs:
Sue Koritz & Nancy Taxman

After Shiva
Food Pick-Up

Volunteers will pick up shiva food from members’ homes and deliver it to a shelter. Shelter information will be given to volunteers.

Volunteer Chairs:
Sue Koritz & Nancy Taxman

In Times of Need

Get Well Cards

Volunteers will send cards to congregants who are hospitalized or are recuperating at home.

Volunteer Chairs: 
Linda Levin
Sheri Seigel

Caring Rides

Volunteers will provide transportation for our members to medical appointments, services, and programs.

Volunteer Chairs:
Carole Goldstein & Barbara Furman
Contact Debbie Bram

Delightful Dinners

Bring healing and care with a meal to a member or member’s family in need of this temporary support.

Volunteer Chairs:
Cindy Heymann
Marcene Menendez

In Times of Joy

Card Writing

Send cards to our members for significant birthdays and anniversaries.

Volunteer Chairs:
Barbara Victor & Marsha Rothman
Contact Stacy Jespersen

Gifts for Newborn Babies

Deliver gifts from Congregation Shaare Emeth to families with newborn or newly adopted babies.

Volunteer Chair: 
Cheri Winchell

Holiday Bags

Fill and deliver holiday bags for our homebound and senior living facility members.

Volunteer Chair:
Barb Kramer

Schmooze With Seniors

Congregants will arrange a few special visits to senior living facilities to visit with our seniors while enjoying a special snack.

Volunteer Chairs:
Lisa Gubernik
Bonnie Myers

Strengthening Our Bonds

Caring Calls and Visits

Volunteers will make calls to our members who are feeling isolated or just want someone to talk to/someone to just visit.

Volunteer Chairs:
Jenn Sagett
Darcy Glidewell

Ready to Get Involved? Join Our Caring Committee

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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.