Yom Kippur Resources

Many of our Yom Kippur programs this year had important take-aways – too much to fit into Shaare Mail! Below you’ll find resources, links, printables, etc. related to each sermon or program.

Erev Yom Kippur Kol Nidre Service

Become a Chesed/Caring Angel

Rabbi Goldstein spoke on Kol Nidre about how one act of kindness is so powerful for both the receiver and the giver of the act. It is through these acts that we create a Kehillah Kedoshah (a holy community). Many, many congregants already signed up – we thank you!

For more information about the opportunities available and to sign up, click here.

For questions, email Debbie Bram.

Yom Kippur Morning Service

Supporting Democracy in Israel

On Yom Kippur morning, Rabbi Bennett spoke about the importance of Reform Jews’s support of organizations that further the fight for Democracy in Israel. We encourage you to consider making contributions to the following organizations:

The IMPJ, Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, and the IRAC, Israel Religious Action Center, have joined together for a special emergency campaign addressing the current fight for Democracy in Israel. A contribution to this joint fund will continue support for Reform and progressive congregations, maintain pluralistic education in Israel, expand the legal work of IRAC, and continue to work to support refugees, women, and LGBTQ rights. Click here to donate

You can also contribute directly to the IMPJ, which is guided by the values of Reform Judaism and works to make progressive and pluralistic Judaism accessible to all Israelis, or contribute directly to The IRAC, which is dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of a just Israeli society.

For those of you who like to support NGOs, we recommend The New Israel Fund (NIF) which helps Israel live up to its founder’s vision of a society that ensures complete equality to all its inhabitants. NIF advances liberal democracy, including freedom of speech, and minority rights, and fights the inequality, injustice, and extremism that diminish Israel. Click here to donate

Yom Kippur Afternoon Programs

Paul Simon’s Psalms With Ron Cytron & Cantor Seth Warner

Thanks to the great group that joined Cantor Warner and Ron Cytron on-site and online for this program. In case you missed it, here’s the link to Ron’s incredible slides.

You can view a recording of the program.

We would love to see you on Tuesday, October 10 at 7 p.m. for our follow-up program: Exploring Your Own Psalm. Click here for details and registration

The Shofar Calls Us to Action With Rabbi Andrea Goldstein & Debbie Bram

We hope everyone who joined us for this program left inspired and motivated to fight food insecurity in our community.

Click here for the various texts we read and discussed

Click here for the Translated Agency List

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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.