Heart & Soul

A Celebration to Benefit the Mission of Congregation Shaare Emeth

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Thank you for…
supporting Congregation Shaare Emeth by attending our Heart & Soul Celebration. As our biggest fundraiser, this event enables us to continue to serve our community intellectually and spiritually, engage in the values of tzedakah (justice) and gemilut chasadim (acts of compassion and kindness). Together we are building a strong foundation for now, and for forever.

Honoring…

Peggy & Don Lents with the Harris Frank Community Service Award

Peggy and Don grew up with the understanding that you don’t just live in your community; you are an integral part of it and obligated to actively support it, and they have incorporated that commitment into their lives. They have been recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as two of the region’s most influential citizens.

Peggy, founder and CEO of Lents, Mazur & Associates, a strategic communications firm, has served on the boards of the National Council of Jewish Women-St. Louis, Park Central Development, United Way Women’s Cabinet, and the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Alumni Leadership Cabinet, among others. She has been a guest lecturer at Washington University in St. Louis, and Lindenwood, Webster, and Fontbonne Universities.

Don has spent his career at St. Louis-based international law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, which he led as Chair and CEO. He is a Commissioner of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Chair of the Greater St. Louis Foundation, and recently completed 20+ years on the board of Grand Center, twice serving as board Chair. He has served on the Executive Committee of United Way of Greater St. Louis, and on a number of other boards.

The Brandvein Family with the L’Dor VaDor Award

Four generations of family commitment began in 1963 when Judy & John Brandvein joined Congregation Shaare Emeth. Their children, Teri & Harvey Brandvein and Rochelle & Randy Aaranson, have continued their parent’s philanthropic tradition.

The family’s third generation – Rachel & Jeff Spector, Jessica & Brian Palans, Lindsay & Adam Brandvein, and Jeremy, Sydney, and Ethan Aaranson – celebrated B’Mitzvahs, consecrations, weddings, baby namings, and much more within the tight-knit community. A fourth generation – John and Judy’s six great-grandchildren – Carly and Avery Spector, Eliza and Caleb Palans, and Austin and Chloe Brandvein – is poised to continue the family’s temple involvement for years to come.

Through the Brandvein Youth Lounge, trips to Israel, preschool and Religious School, youth groups, MOSHE, the Board of Trustees, inter-congregational softball league, lifecycle celebrations, and more, all four generations have embraced Shaare Emeth in the past and remain anchored to its future.

Judy & John Brandvein found a sense of peace and understanding at Congregation Shaare Emeth, allowing them to instill a legacy of Jewish values and faithful spirituality to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. What began as just two people 60 years ago has evolved into a legacy of 19 devoted family members who bring ongoing engagement to a congregation that has impacted each of their worlds.