Evelyn Kleiman says she is proud and happy to acknowledge that she has used the services of Jewish Federation of St. Louis. “I look at it like a triangle,” she says. “I have benefitted from Jewish Family and Children Services, the Jewish Community Center and Covenant House—and in the middle is Jewish Federation, spreading its wings out toward me and toward my life for the last 40 years.”
Because she knows firsthand the good things Federation does in the community, Evelyn donates to Federation every year. “I can’t give a lot of money, but I still believe in giving what I can,” says Evelyn. “I have to give back because I’m so appreciative that the Jewish community helps me take care of myself.”
Eighty-five-year-old Evelyn loves living at Covenant House, where she also gives back by volunteering. She serves on the Tenant Council, collects food for the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry and, with her cousin, Ruth Mariam, sets up for weekly Shabbat services. “I would be very unhappy and very much alone without Covenant House,” Evelyn says. “Coming to live here was the best decision I ever made, and I am grateful for everything Jewish Federation does for us here.”