20s and 30s

Young Adults at Shaare Emeth

Welcome to Congregation Shaare Emeth’s 20s and 30s community. Whether you’re Jewish, Jewish-Adjacent, or Jew-Curious… we’re excited to see you here!

We believe that Judaism isn’t something anyone can do by themselves and that an important part of being a Jewish adult is finding your tribe.

And… we’ll put our cards on the table…we hope that we’re the tribe you’re looking for.

Together, we’re building a community where we celebrate one another’s simchas (happy events), support each other when we’re feeling down, and stand together when things are rough.

Check out the 20s and 30s FAQs below and the list of upcoming experiences to learn more about our community! If you have any questions or just want to connect, please reach out to Rabbi Bearman at rbearman@sestl.org.

Upcoming 20s & 30s Events:

Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner

Wednesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. in the Courtyard at Congregation Shaare Emeth

All 20s and 30s are invited to join us for this informal, Erev Rosh Hashanah dinner where we’ll get to know one another and welcome the holiday as a community.

Our meal will be catered by Pasta House and is $25 per person. Reservations are required by September 25.

MAKE A RESERVATION

20s & 30s FAQs

We’d love it if you joined Shaare Emeth (the temple is pretty fantastic)… but you don’t need to be a temple member to be a part of our 20s and 30s community.

Shaare Emeth honors everyone’s unique journey. That means that we’re a place for single people, partnered folks, parents of kids of all ages, parents of spoiled pets… everyone. If you’re interested in exploring Judaism and what it means to belong to a Jewish community, then now is the right time to get involved.

Absolutely. Full stop.

Shaare Emeth’s values are clear- we strive to be a safe, affirming, and celebratory space for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

The Jew-curious are very welcome to any and all programs. Come see what it feels like to be a member of the Jewish community (spoiler alert – it’s pretty great) and let Rabbi Bearman know if you have any questions!

Actually, we’re the kind of community where all kinds of moments (promotions, achieving personal bests, new loves, new pets, breakups, medical procedures, baby’s first steps, and more) are honored with creative, meaningful, and spiritual experiences.

Hebrew tests will only be given after you’ve attended 2 Shaare Emeth programs. Just kidding! We want to learn and explore together. No prior knowledge is necessary for any 20s and 30s experience.

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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.