Religious School

Religious School at Shaare Emeth

Shalom! Welcome!

Every family is unique, and we know that choosing your family’s second Jewish home is a big decision! When you choose Share Emeth, you are opting into a community that strives to create memorable Reform Jewish learning experiences that are radically inclusive of all learners, unabashedly joyful, and deeply meaningful.

Here’s what you can expect from our religious school learning community:

  • Trust us when we say that this isn’t your grandparent’s Hebrew school! Our religious school is a dynamic laboratory for Jewish learning and community living.
  • We focus on the whole child, with spiritual and emotional learning woven into the learning experiences and an emphasis on personal growth.
  • In a busy world full of activities and competing priorities, we provide flexibility and try to meet each family where they are right now.
  • Our teachers are a diverse bunch of Jewish role models, from college students to professional educators of all stripes. They love being here and they are committed to our mission and our students.

Highlights of our dynamic, engaging program include:

  • Rich Jewish learning content, delivered through hands-on experiences and a classroom community that works together to gain a deeper understanding of Jewish holidays, rituals, history, God, and Torah through different learning modalities, including art, music, cooking, technology, and movement. Learning isn’t just happening in the classroom—it happens in the kitchen, on the playground, and all over St. Louis.
  • A Hebrew curriculum that focuses on meeting each child where they are and using a variety of learning strategies to read and understand Hebrew, giving them the confidence and comfort to lead Hebrew prayers. The needs of each child and their learning style are at the center.
  • Regular opportunities for family learning for all ages where parents come to special programs alongside their children throughout the school year to learn and create Jewish memories together. We believe that the Jewish education of our students requires a caring partnership between temple and home. The more you show up, the more we all get out of it!

Shaare Emeth continues to be at the forefront of Jewish education, guided by best practices in religious and secular education.

Interested in learning more? We look forward to meeting with you and sharing more details about our Pre-K- 12th Grade Religious School experience. Our Director of Education and Associate Rabbi Lori Levine, at 314-692-5361 or llevine@sestl.org would love to meet with you and answer any questions!

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.