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Highlights
CRC Events
Education
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Volunteering
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CRC Contact Information

Links

Calendar - December
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

CORRECTION

In the December MEMO, the starting time for several of the family services were listed incorrectly. Family services are always at 9:30 every Saturday morning unless a previous announcement has been made.

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.

Special Guests at Shabbat Services

Join us for two special Shabbat Services this weekend!

Friday, November 30, 7:30 pm
We will hear a special presentation by three of the couples who went on the Interfaith Partnership's three faith tradition trip to Israel, including our own David and Joy Sterneck and Revs. Michael and Katherine Kinnamon. Michael is the new Director of the National Council of Churches and will be leaving for New York to assume this position in January. Come learn from him and wish him success in his new role!

Saturday, December 1, 10:00 am
Dr. Harry M. Offenbach, Honorary National Chancellor of the Jewish Chautauqua Society, Jewish scholar, and St. Louis legend, will talk about "The Tale of the Shamash (servant)."

Weatherizing - corrected information
Sundays, December 2 and 16 - NOON at Grace Hill Church,
2600 Hadley Street
Going with the Men's Group or Post-Confirmation class on December 2? Meet at CRC at 11:15 am
More.

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).

Membership Circle to Create a College Connection
CRC wants to stay in touch with our college kids. If you have a child or grandchild in college, click here. (Click if you're curious too.)

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...

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.

(C)How the (C)Heck Do I Spell (C)Han(n)uk(k)a(h)?
The correct way is your way. As in many things in our tradition, there is no one correct answer. However, in our CRC publications we strive for consistancy; hopefully to make it easier for you to read. Click here if you want our transliteration and capitalization guidelines. Have a b'nai mitzvah in your family's future or planning an article? Click now.

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.

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 details and another class...�

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.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

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 30

CRC Book Fair 10 am - 10 pm
Left Bank Books

12:00 Lunch and Learn at LBB

2:00 Torah Study

6:00 Shabbat Service at LBB

7:30 Shabbat Service at CRC

Saturday, December 1

CRC Book Fair 10 am - 10 pm
Left Bank Books

8:45 Torah Study

9:30 Family Service

10:00 Rainbow Connection

10:00 Shabbat School

10:00 Shabbat Service

12:15 Basic Judaism

1:00 Jewish Renewal at LBB

2:00 Book Club at CRC

2:00 Family Book Talk at LBB

4:00 Havdalah at LBB

Sunday, December 2

CRC Book Fair 11am - 6pm
Left Bank Books

9:00 Membership Circle

11:30 Confirmation at the Science Center

1:00 Art (book on Forest Park) at LBB

3:00 Soul (with Howard Schwartz) at LBB

4:00 Mr. Jazz Master Concert with Rabbi Goodman at CRC

Monday, December 3

1:00 Mahjongg

4:00 Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

6:20 Introduction to Hebrew (Adult)

Tuesday, December 4

EREV CHANUKAH

4:00
Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

6:00 First Night / First Light Candlelighting

7:00 Healing Circle

Wednesday, December 5

CHANUKAH

4:00
Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

7:00 Drum Circle

Thursday, December 6

CHANUKAH

4:00
Hebrew School

5:30 Hebrew School Service

Friday, December 7

CHANUKAH

4:00 Torah Study

6:30 LGBT Latke Party

7:30 Shabbat Service

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

TBA

Drum Circle

Tuesday, December 11
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