Reaffirming Our Commitment to Our Jewish Values

A Message from Shaare Emeth’s Leadership

In the Book of Exodus, we read about our people’s moment at Mt. Sinai, when we stood together and entered into a Covenant with God. There, we received commandments that would become the foundation for the kinds of sacred communities the Jewish people were to create.  

Defend the orphan, the widow, and the stranger – the most vulnerable among you. Do not mock the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind. Share your harvest with the poor. Welcome the stranger. Tend to the sick. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds. What is hateful to you, do not do to another. Honor the tzelem Elohim, the image of God, in everyone.  

These are our Reform Jewish values. This is the kind of community Congregation Shaare Emeth strives to be. We live out these values in many ways, including: 

  • Honoring the identity, diversity, and abilities of all. 

  • Promoting an emotionally and physically safe environment for everyone. 

  • Welcoming all to participate in our worship, traditions, and programs. 

  • Joining together in acts of tikkun olam, acts to mend our broken world.

In recent weeks, when so many of these values are being abandoned or challenged at the federal and state level, Congregation Shaare Emeth remains committed to our vision of an inclusive community where people of every race, gender identity, sexual identity, and people of all abilities are welcomed and belong. We value each of our members and visitors and are grateful for all that you contribute to our congregational community. 

Many of Shaare Emeth’s committee and inclusion groups have been working for years to celebrate our diversity and care for those most in need, and we expect this work to continue for years to come. If you would like to stay informed with updates, actions, programs, and ways that you can help these important communities within the greater Shaare Emeth community, please sign up to receive their alerts. They will so appreciate knowing that they have your support. 

Immigration Action and Advocacy Committee

  • Stan Shanker, chair

  • To stay informed, email Debbie Bram

Keshet (Welcome and Inclusion of LGBTQ+ members and guests)

REDI (Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Committee

  • Holly Bernstein and Amy Hammerman, co-chairs 

  • To stay informed, email Stacy Jespersen

Accessibility and Inclusion Working Group

  • This working group is in formation.

  • Please contact Craig Neuman, Executive Director, if you would like to be involved.

At Congregation Shaare Emeth the most important resource we have is each other. We are here for you and are grateful for our community’s continued support of one another. 

L’shalom, 

Dana DeBlasi, President
Mark Gubernik, First Vice President
Rabbi Jim Bennett
Rabbi Andrea Goldstein
Craig Neuman, Executive Director

Š 2025 All rights reserved

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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.