High Holiday Giving

Contribute to Our Annual Appeal

Shanah Tova! We wish you a very happy and healthy new year.

We are grateful for everyone who has shown up for our community in all the ways they could. Whether that meant contributing financially to the success of our mission, participating in educational programming, volunteering, or celebrating holidays and life cycle events, you contributed to the strength and health of our community. It is with your generosity that we continue to thrive.

In this new year, Shaare Emeth’s Clergy, Staff, and Leadership look forward to seeing you at our numerous educational, spiritual, and community-service-oriented programming, which we strive to make accessible to all members of the community.

We are proud that our clergy continue to be present for our members, helping them to celebrate in times of joy and providing comfort in times of need. We thank each of you for your participation and support. Without you, the vibrancy of our community would be diminished, and this work would not be possible.

As we reach the new year and think about the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in 5785, we hope you will choose to contribute to our Annual Appeal in order that we may continue our innovative work in serving our community. We ask that you consider a gift of $250. All donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. As you know, we rely on the generous support of our friends and members to continue to provide programming and services to our community.

Thank you for your consideration and past support. We have seen time and again that it is people like you who help make Shaare Emeth the vibrant, thriving community it is.

Dana DeBlasi, President

Rabbi Jim Bennett & Rabbi Andrea Goldstein

Make a Donation

Donation Options

You may use the button above to fill out our online form and pay via credit card, or charge the card on file in your ShulCloud account. Please note that a 3% fee is applied to all credit card transactions to cover payment processing costs.

Other options include:

  • Venmo us @Shaare-Emeth (comment ‘Annual Appeal’)
  • Send a check to:
    Congregation Shaare Emeth
    11645 Ladue Road
    St. Louis, MO 63141
  • IRA distributions & stock transfers are also available. Contact Beth Kodner via e-mail or at (314) 692-5306 for more information.

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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.