Youth Groups – Congregation Shaare Emeth

Youth Programming at Shaare Emeth

Shaare Emeth’s youth programming provides our youth with opportunities to engage in Jewish life at Shaare Emeth and in the broader Jewish community. Our program combines community building and Jewish experiences that deepen kids’ and teens’ connections to Jewish tradition and to one another. Social events, social action, learning, and Jewish observance provide our youth with a range of different ways to connect with Jewish life on their terms surrounded by a caring community of their peers.

SETYG

SETYG (Shaare Emeth Temple Youth Group) is Shaare Emeth’s youth group for high school students. Run by an elected board of teens, SETYG hosts exciting and engaging programming created by and for teens. SETYG also serves as Shaare Emeth’s connection to Jewish teens from across the country through NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth), which is the national Reform Jewish youth movement. SETYG is a part of the NFTY-Missouri Valley Region, through which our teens convene through the year for Chavurot (weekend long gatherings of the region) which provide our teens with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, explore their Jewish identity, and connect with teens from across the Midwest.

SE678

SE678 is Shaare Emeth’s youth group for 6th, 7th, & 8th graders. With events like snow tubing at Hidden Valley, private tours of Busch Stadium, and many more, our middle schoolers are able to strengthen social bonds with their peers while engaging in fun programs exclusively for them! This group meets on a monthly basis.

SE345

SE345 is Shaare Emeth’s youth program for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders. SE345 hosts community-building events, with trips to the Zoo, the Science Center, ice skating at Steinberg Ice Rink in Forest Park, and much more. This group meets on a monthly basis.

Shir Emeth

Shir Emeth (meaning Song of Truth) is Shaare Emeth’s youth choir for 3rd-7th graders. All are welcome, regardless of musical ability, experience, or membership. This group rehearses approximately twice a month, and performs a number of times per year, including at Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, Busch Stadium, retirement communities, and more!

Click here for additional information about Shir Emeth

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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.