A Jewish Presence in the City of St. Louis
A Jewish Presence in the City of St. Louis
A timeline of CRC’s histroy
Greetings, As we move through CRC Week of Music, we wanted to share a brief reflection on what’s unfolding—and what we’re discovering together. This week has been deeply energizing. We’re learning what truly invites participation, what helps people feel at home, and what it takes to build real trust and creative partnership with visiting artists. […]
CRC Week of Music – A Midweek Reflection Read More »
It was a beautiful morning to stand in Solidarity with Love, against Hate. People crossed the bridge from East and West, bridging differences to come together as one. The sun shone on us all as clergy from many different faiths gave testament against Violence, Fear and Death and for Hope, Courage, and Wholeness. Their message
Rally to Bridge Faith and Justice Read More »
This past Sunday, a group of about 35 CRC members enjoyed a fascinating, behind-the-scenes visit to the Missouri History Museum’s Library & Research Center. Curators shared photographs, artifacts, and documents highlighting the long and vibrant history of Jewish life in St. Louis—many items brought out especially for our group. The morning was filled with discovery,
CRC Visits the Missouri History Museum Archives Read More »
Rabbi Karen Kriger Bogard and Rabbi Daniel Bogard (who grew up at CRC) joined the Rabbinic team including Rabbi Susan and Rabbi Randy in July, 2018. In the forty years since our founding, we’ve grown from just a couple dozen households to over 700 today. We remain a bastion of Judaism in the City of
Rabbi Karen and Daniel Bogard join CRC’s Rabbinic team Read More »
The large stones you see are a sculpture called “Tikkun”, created by local artist Ilene Berman. Its form is based on the Jewish mystical story of creation about the shattering of vessels, the gathering of hidden sparks, and the repair of the world. The “Shema”—the holiest Jewish prayer–is written inside. The largest opening is facing
Tikkun Sculpture Installed Read More »
As the congregation grew, the staff also expanded to serve the greater number and diversity of families and individuals. Rabbi Randy Fleisher came to CRC in 2000. Rabbi Ed Harris, a founding CRC member and a psychologist who later received his ordination, served as a part-time rabbi from 2008-2014. Rabbi Deanna Sussman, who had been
Rabbi Randy Fleisher comes to CRC Read More »
The answer was to rent space in an existing community facility, and this has been accomplished in a number of locales around St. Louis. Several different venues have served as home to the High Holiday services: The Center of Contemporary Arts in University City; the Westport Theatre in northwest St. Louis County; the Chase Park
The concept of CRC was of a spiritual community with shared values, rather than of a synagogue defined by a building and grounds. But a congregation needs a place and, at peak times like the Jewish High Holidays, a rather large one. CRC began its synagogue operations with an office above the Straubs grocery store
The Evolution: How and Where Read More »
Rabbi Susan Talve, who had been serving Congregation Shaare Emeth, consulted with the founding families in 1984, as they determined what kind of community they wanted to create. The initial group held services in a park during the summer of 1984 to build interest about the new community. CRC was formally founded that year, with
CRC founded in 1984 Read More »
The congregation they sought to create, however, was not centered solely around religious practice. They wanted a group of families that not only embraced Judaism but would also create and engage an inclusive, gender-neutral and non-patriarchal community committed to social justice and all aspects of Tikkun Olam, Healing the World. Wedding their social consciousness to
Group of Families to create Central Reform Read More »