Tikkun: 8th + 9th + 10th Grade

Shaare Emeth Religious School’s 8th-10th Grade Program

Affirming Your Jewish Identity

We believe that Jewish learning is a lifelong journey that should grow with you. So, here’s the big question: what comes after b’mitzvah at Shaare Emeth? The journey continues in Tikkun! Imagine your teen…

  • Learning about food justice, then getting to work the next week on making grocery packages at a food pantry and harvesting at an urban farm to feed those in need.
  • Spending the morning at church with their rabbis and friends to experience the shared values and diverse traditions of their Christian neighbors.
  • Finding their own connections between the text of the Torah, rabbinic commentaries, and the current conversation about environmental justice and caring for the earth.

We hope all of this and so much more speaks to you (and your teens) as you plan for their 8th-10th Grade experience. Our goal is to meet our teens where they are. We know their lives have been impacted in so many ways by COVID-19, the rise in antisemitism, pressure and anxiety from school, and so much more. Participating in Tikkun is our way of responding to their needs and providing a space for actively developing Jewish community and identity.

The Tikkun Vision Statement

Members of the Tikkun program at Shaare Emeth will discover a community of peers and trusted mentors with whom they will…

  • Develop curiosity and learn about the values and traditions of Reform Judaism.

  • Encounter a variety of joyous Jewish experiences that are practical and relevant.

  • Cultivate Jewish pride, creativity, and commitment to one another and the larger community.

Tikkun will meet weekly on Sundays from 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. Each year of this three-year journey builds on the others, but it’s never too late to join.

Our Themes Are:

  • 8th Grade

    Mitzvah Corps
    Focus on Social Action Experiences

  • 9th Grade

    Reform Jewish Values (RJV)
    Values through Advocacy & Decision-Making

  • 10th Grade

    Confirmation • Kabbalat Torah
    Exploring God, Israel, and Affirming Your Judaism

  • 8th Grade

    Mitzvah Corps
    Focus on Social Action Experiences

  • 9th Grade

    Reform Jewish Values (RJV)
    Values through Advocacy & Decision-Making

  • 10th Grade

    Confirmation • Kabbalat Torah
    Exploring God, Israel, and Affirming Your Judaism

Each year also has some shared components that weave together including built-in community meeting time each week (with food of course!), annual group travel locally or to other cities, and hands-on opportunities to learn Jewish “life skills” for holidays and mitzvot.

Ready to Register?

Click Here for Registration Info

Questions?

Contact Rabbi Lori Levine

Schedules

9th Grade Schedule

Sundays • 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

10th Grade Schedule

Sundays • 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

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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.