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Highlights
CRC Events
Education
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Volunteering
Community Events
CRC Contact Information

Links

Calendar - November
Healing Prayer List (CRC)
MEMO - October
Siddur (CRC)

jewishinstlouis.org
Jewish Light Online
Union for Reform Judaism

Contact Information

Alphabetized by First Name

E-mail addresses have a space in them to foil spammers. Please remove space when e-mailing.

Connie Laughlin
Publications Coordinator (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 100
connie @centralreform.org

Ed Harris
(314) 652-3888
ed@centralreform.org

Fran Lang
Vice President, Membership
(314) 787-8171
fran @franlang.com

Gail Wechsler
Vice President, Social Responsibility
(314) 727-4975
gailwechsler @sbcglobal.net

Jennifer Bersdale
Director of Advocacy and Communications (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 116
jennifer @centralreform.org

John Terranova
Executive Director (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 105
john @centralreform.org

Jordan Ottenstein
Associate Director of Education (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 106
jordan @centralreform.org

Josh Goldman
CRYC Coordinator
(314) 602-8454
joshuaalfredgoldman @hotmail.com

Joy Lieberman
Membership Secretary and Receptionist (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 109
joy @centralreform.org

Karen Olson
Vice President, Education
(314) 963-9795
karmarv @swbell.net

Lise Bernstein
Vice President, Communications
(314) 275-9907
LBMarketing @juno.com

Maggie Duwe
Interfaith and Outreach Coordinator and Adult Educator (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 112
maggie @centralreform.org

Marci Mayer Eisen
Vice President, Religious Events
(314) 442-3894
groupworker @charter.net

Rabbi Michael Alper
Director of Education (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 102
michael@centralreform.org

Rachel Berla
Youth Group Advisor (staff)
(314) 570-3114
certy @centralreform.org

Sharalyn Saks
Director of Finance (staff)
(314) 361-1564 ext. 104
sharalyn @centralreform.org

CRC Mitzvah Corps
(314) 361-1564 ext. 313

Congregation Neve Shalom
Rainbow Village, 1240 Dautel
(314) 863-4366
www.neveshalom.org
rabbi @neveshalom.org

Jewish Federation
Kopolow Building, 12 Millstone Campus Drive, Creve Coeur

Central Reform Congregation
5020 Waterman Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63108
www.centralreform.org

NEW announcements are in red

HIGHLIGHTS

CRC's Chanukah Book Fair
November 30 through December 2 at Left Bank Books
More...
We need help on Thursday, November 29, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to help set up. To volunteer, contact Camille Greenwald at camille@medexhealth.net.

CRC EVENTS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

Basic Judaism - a different date
Saturday, December 1, noonish
What is Chanukah and how do you spell it? We'll talk and learn together about this supposed "minor" holiday. All are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Maggie Duwe.

Book Club - we start a new book
Saturday, December 1, 2ish
More...

Weatherize with the Yad B'Yad - CRC Men's Group
Sunday December 2 at 1:00 pm
All men are invited to participate in the annual Weatherization Project in the Grace Hill Neighborhood. Our Men's Group will team up with Rabbi Michael Alper's post-confirmation students. This will be a great mitzvah and an opportunity to mentor our young adults. Bring a scissor, step ladder, some rags, and work gloves, if you have them. We will meet at CRC and carpool.

The Mr. Jazz Master Show
Sunday, December 2, 4:00 pm at CRC
The Mr. Jazz Master ceremony is a collaboration of unusual talents, integrating music and poetry, sacred story and song, in a performance art mix. Featuring Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Dahveed Nelson of the Last Poets, Robert Fishbone and Mr. Jazz Master Nkere Zimbabwe
Modest donations requested at the door.

First Night / First Light Candlelighting
Tuesday, December 4, 6:00 pm
Bring your chanukiyah (Chanukah menorah)

LGBT Latke Party
Friday, December 7, 6:30 pm
More...

CRC Chanukah Happening
Saturday, December 8, after services and religious school
More... There will be music.

Continuing Interfaith Latke Party
Sunday, December 9, 9:30 to 11:30 pm
Let's get together and cook and eat Latkes! Please call Maggie to RSVP and to figure out the ingredients.
(Though this is a closed group, we encourage all interested to call Maggie for other groups that would be of interest. Please call if you are interested in the new Interfaith Workshop Series.)

Basic Judaism Latke Party
Sunday, December 9, 5:00 to 9:00 pm
More...

Israel Circle's Seventh Night Sufganiot Tasting and Dreidel Spinning Tournament
Monday, December 10, 7:00 pm
Sometimes you just have to celebrate the miracles. So, at the Israel Circle Sufganiot Tasting and Dreidel Spinning Tournament, we'll rekindle our connections to one another and light seven lights to dedicate ourselves to another year of study and action. If you've wondered about the Israel Circle, this is a good time to hear our monthly update followed by this month's test of dreidel spinning prowess.And, if you want the latest news from the Israel Circle, click here to go to their blog.

Social Responsibility Shabbat
Friday, December 14, 7:30 pm
Sar Moriel of the African Hebrew Israelite Community
Sar and his community of 'Black Hebrews' who are based in Dimona, Israel have become great friends to CRC. Sar will speak about the efforts of the community to support Afircan nations, particularly Ghana. Sar will also speak to the general benefits of greater Israeli-African partnerships.

Part-time caregiver needed for the Esstman family
Our dear member, Don Esstman, is looking for a mature, experienced care giver for his three wonderful kids age 9, 14 and 16, in his Chesterfield home, weekdays, after school from 3:00 - 7:00 pm. This person must have their own car, be able to start dinner, engage his 9 year old daughter in activities, pick up and drop off kids occasionally, and do some light grocery shopping. To apply or for more information, call Diane Maier at (314) 520-2638.

Lost something? Child lost something?
Our Lost & Found basket (located opposite the reception desk) is overflowing with forgotten clothing, jewelry, purses, etc. Please stop by and claim your belongings. Following Thanksgiving, all items will be recycled to our tikkun closet.

Can You Sponsor an Oneg?
Click here to see open dates and contact information.

EDUCATION

Mystical Texts with Rabbi Jim Goodman
THE LATER MASTERS: Sunday, December 9, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
More...�

ADVOCACY

Give Children Hope for the Future
This week, both the House and Senate are expected to vote on legislation to reauthorize the Head Start program. More...

B'NAI MITZVAH PROJECTS

Help our wonderful B'nai Mitzvah students complete their projects! Keep checking this section as we add projects!

VOLUNTEERING & MITZVAH OPPORTUNITIES

CRC to Be Drop Off Site for Blanket St. Louis
November 12 through December 21
More.

Jewish Food Pantry December Needs
More.

CRC to Weatherize in North
St. Louis for the 17th Year
Sundays, December 2 and 16
More.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Thanksgiving Service at Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church
Thursday, November 22 at 10:00 am
corner of Washington and Walton in the CWE
Every year, the clergy and members of Holy Ground congregations are graciously invited by Reverend Rick to attend Cornerstone's annual service. This is Baptist prayer, not an interfaith service, but it is filled with great preaching, gospel music and expressions of gratitude. As they say. "put your turkeys on the slow burner and come on down!"

Holocaust Museum Exhibit to Explore Ethnic Cleansing in Bosnia
Begins Sunday, November 25 at 2:00 pm
More...

Robert Fishbone CD Release Concert
Tuesday, November 27, 7:30 pm at the Sheldon Concert Hall
Our dear member and friend Robert Fishbone, who has done so much for CRC is having a concert and releasing a CD.

More...�

New Jewish Theatre Presents "Kindertransport"
November 28 through December 16

More...�

Create a Menorah!
Sunday, December 2, 12:00 pm
The Painted Paw (140 Chesterfield Valley Drive, Chesterfield)
Come create a beautiful menorah or a gift at this party! Previous artistic experience/talent not required. Painting

pottery is a great way to relax with other Jewish women. Pieces range from $15+. Refreshments provided.

Family Chanukah Celebration at the Brodsky Library

Sunday, December 2, 2:00 pm

More...

Children of Abraham to Meet Monthly
Monday, December 3, 7:00 pm - see address below
Children of Abraham will begin monthly meetings of open dialogue, discussion of current events in the Middle East, sharing of stories, socializing, song and readings on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at St. Louis County Library, Bridgeton Trails branch, 3455 McKelvey Road. Monday's meeting will show 'To Die in Jerusalem'. More...

Poverty: its root causes and why it affects us all
Thursday, December 6, 11:45 am - 1:00 pm, Federation Bldg.
Mark R. Rank, Professor of Social Welfare in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University, will speak to us on his recent book, One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All. Brown bag lunch; drinks and dessert served. Please RSVP to Arlene Baer:abaer@jcrcstl.org or (314) 442-3871. More...

Jacob's Pillow
"Nothing: the Concept of Ayn Sof"
Saturday, December 8, 8:00 pm at Neve Shalom
Jacob's Pillow celebrates our teachers, inspirations, and influences with poetry, music, visual arts, and sacred story. More...�

Used Jewish Book Sale at the Saul Brodsky Library
December 9 through December 16
More...

Are you in your 20s or 30s?
Join hundreds of other locals for this special party sponsored by Gesher City. More...
Thursday, December 13, 6:30 pm
Mandarin Lounge, 44 Maryland Plaza in the CWE

Manhunt - Investigation of Josef Mengele
Friday, December 14, 10:30 am at the Holocaust Museum
More...

CRC This Week

Friday, November 23

OFFICE CLOSED

7:30 Shabbat Service

Saturday, November 24

8:45 Torah Study

9:30 Family Service

10:00 Shabbat Service and bat mitzvah of Dorothy Mayer

500 Havdalah and bat mitzvah of Sarina Grebler

Sunday, November 25

Monday, November 26

1:00 Mahjongg

4:00 Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

6:20 Introduction to Hebrew (Adult)

Tuesday, November 27

4:00
Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

6:20 Engaging Daniel

7:00 Drum Circle

Wednesday, November 28

4:00
Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

7:00 Drum Circle

Thursday, November 29

4:00
Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

Friday, November 30

10:00 CRC Book Fair begins at Left Bank Books

4:00 Torah Study

7:30 Shabbat Service

10:00 CRC Book Fair closes for the day

Circle Meetings

Circles linked to more information available are underlined.

Basic Judaism
Saturday, December 1
12:15 pm

Book Club

Saturday, December 1
2:00 pm

CRC Board Meeting

Thursday, December 13
7:30 pm

Development Circle

Tuesday, November 27
7:00 pm

Drum Circle

Tuesday, November 27
7:00 pm

Education Steering Committee

Sunday, January 6

9:00 am

Gathering the Sparks

Sunday, December 9

10:00 am

Grief Support Group

Saturday, December 15

1:00 pm

Hospitality Circle

TBA

Israel Circle

Monday, December 10

7:00 pm

Membership Circle

Sunday, December 2
9:00 am
Prospective Member Brunch
Sunday, January 20
10:30 am

Naomi Group
Friday, January 11
12:00 pm

Religious Events
Sunday, December 16
8:30 am

Ruth Group
Wed., December 12

12:00 pm

Social Responsibility Circle
Sunday, December 9
10:00 am

Soul of the Building
TBA

Tikkun Olam Education Team
Sunday, December 9
3:00 pm

Tikkun Olam Environment Team
Sunday, December 9
noon

Tikkun Olam Healthcare Team
Sunday, December 9
1:30 pm

Yad b'Yad
(Men's Group)
Tuesday, December 18
7:00 pm

Year of Living Responsibly
TBA

Interfaith Dates

Continuing Interfaith

Sunday, December 9
9:30 am

Interfaith 101
Sunday, December 16
12:00 pm

Interfaith 102
TBA

Education

CRC's Education Program promotes Jewish connections to family, community, God, Torah and Israel through exploration of Tzedakah, Tikkun Olam, Freedom, Peace, and the Power of Ritual. For detailed insight plus classes offered and their schedules, see the their website, www.centralreform.org/
education.html