Virtual Community Learning & Engagement Opportunities
Check back here weekly for local learning and engagement opportunities, as well as a curated list of national and international Jewish learning opportunities.
If you are a partner organization and would like your online learning or engagement programs listed here, please contact Kathy Schmeltz at 314-442-3761 or KSchmeltz@JFedSTL.org.
We are doing our best to ensure our information is updated and accurate. If you see an error, please let one of the above contacts know. We reserve the right to curate the list of offerings.
National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis
Parenting & COVID-19: Help You and Your Kids Cope
When: Tuesday, August 11, 7-8 pm
Where: Zoom Meeting
Families across the area and around the country are having to adapt to ever-changing daily lives caused by the outbreak of COVID-19. Families know one thing for sure, going back to school this fall will look very different. It is a daunting task families have as they balance responsibilities while caring for their children’s mental health and are trying to ensure that they keep up with their academics. Families need coping skills and techniques for the COVID-19 reality.
On August 11 at 7:00 pm, NCJWSTL is hosting, “Parenting & COVID-19: Help You and Your Kids Cope. The hour long virtual event will include information from pediatrician Dr. Bob Hoffman, MD about COVID-19 and how it affects children. Therapists Dr. Nicole Kruger, PsyD, LP, Shayna Warner, MSW, LCSW and Dr. Dan Weinstein, PsyD will then lead breakout groups to discuss how to help children and their parents cope with their current realities.
This special event is being co-sponsored by mamaSpace™. mamaSpace™ is an online community and support network of mamas with a mission to allow its members to feel supported, empowered and validated.
RSVP for login credentials by visiting https://forms.gle/uz6omqYSMSuJj8ww5.
For more information please contact Heather Silverman at 314-993-5181 or email hsilverman@ncjwstl.org.
Mirowitz Center
The Mirowitz Center is excited to offer free, virtual programming to the STL community! Go to to mirowitzcenter.org/classes-events view their classes for June and July.
The Mirowitz Center is a place where adults can engage and connect with a variety of programs and services that provide quality of life, support, wellness, and independence.
Contact: 314-733-9813 | www.mirowitzcenter.org
Facebook: MirowitzCenter
Temple Emanuel - Melton Course on Medical Ethics
Melton Course on Medical Ethics Begins July 2 at Temple Emanuel
Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh will teach a course on Jewish Medical Ethics beginning Thursday, July 2, at 7 pm. The course will be taught on Zoom until further notice. This ten-week course explores what Judaism has to say on a number of challenging issues, including human and animal cloning, surrogate motherhood and multiple parents, genetic identity, and assisted suicide/aid in dying. This course is part of the Melton School for Adult Jewish Learning, an international network that offers adults the opportunity to study in an open, trans-denominational, intellectually stimulating learning environment in over 45 communities around the world. Temple Emanuel is the new home for Melton St. Louis beginning this summer. Two more courses will begin this fall.
To register or find more information, visit bit.ly/meltonstljuly.
Contact: Emily Cohen, emily@testl.org
Nishmah: The St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project
“Jewish Women Get Stuff Done”
A Facebook Live series about Jewish women in history “who got stuff done,” with Nishmah Director, Larisa Klebe.
Videos will be recorded live Tuesdays and Thursdays in Nishmah’s Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/419957568886186/) and will also be shared for later viewing.
United Hebrew
Staff are working from home and the building is closed. All “programming,” including education, worship, and many meetings have gone to a virtual schedule.
Mission Statement:
We are a Reform congregation with a traditional mind-set and a progressive heart. As a congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, we strive to attain the high ideals of the movement. We make informed, meaningful choices from Jewish tradition to guide our observance, take an open-minded approach to Jewish religious belief and practice, and provide a home where members can cultivate, explore, and expand their spirituality.
Whether you are looking for meaningful worship, a place to celebrate life’s special moments, comfort in times of need, adult learning, early childhood education, religious and Hebrew education, or are just looking for a place to call home – we hope you will find your place, your home, here with us.
Traditional Congregation
https://www.traditional-congregation.org/
Jewish History with Rabbi Seth Gordon
Mondays from 9-10 am
Parashat Ha-Shavu’a – The weekly Torah reading with Rabbi Seth Gordon
Wednesdays from 7-8 pm
Each week we will look at the weekly Parashah from both the traditional rabbinic and often midrashic points of view as well as from the point of view of modern historians. Although we would love you to join us for all classes, you can join the lesson for that week’s reading. Recommended: the New JPS translation, but feel free to use any translation. The differences in translations at times reveal important distinctions.
Mitzvah 613 with Rabbi Seth Gordon
Thursdays from noon-1 pm. Bring your lunch!
More than a “good deed,” as it is popularly known, mitzvah in a deeper and truer sense means, literally, command. I will provide the teachings from Sefer ha-Chinuch (likely 13th C; Barcelona; anonymous). This work numbers the mitzvot as they appear in the Torah, adding rabbinic teachings and the author’s own insights. Recommended: Have a translation of the Torah with you.
To receive registration links for any of the classes, contact Marian at tradcong@sbcglobal.net or 314-576-5230.
Congregation Shaare Emeth
The Jewish Mindfulness Center of St. Louis
All are welcome to join with Rabbi Andrea Goldstein for our twice-weekly Mindfulness Meditation Sits:
Mondays from 11:30 am-12:15 pm
Wednesdays from 6:30-7:15 pm
Whether you are brand new to meditation or have a daily practice, joining with others in meditation can bring a centering and calmness to a time filled with challenge and uncertainty.
Contact Stacy at sjespersen@sestl.org for information on how to call or Zoom in.
Bais Abraham Congregation
Ongoing Bais Abe Zoom Classes and Programs
Unless otherwise indicated, Bais Abe classes and programs are open to both men and women.
Daily Tehillim, Halakha and Mishnah with Rabbi Garth Silberstein
Time: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada) and Sunday, 9:00 AM Central Time US and Canada)
Options to Join Zoom Meeting:
- Via this link – https://zoom.us/j/297962649](https://zoom.us/j/297962649
- Visit the website – https://zoom.us/join, and enter Meeting ID: 297 962 649
- Participate by phone – 312 626 6799, and enter Meeting ID: 297 962 649
For those who are unable to participate in the daily Zoom call, this sefaria sourcesheet, contains the psalm we will be reciting each day) updated with a different psalm each week, followed by a prayer composed by the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel, in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Kuzari with Stewart Shilcrat
Time: Sundays, 9:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Options to Join Zoom Meeting:
- Via this link – https://us04web.zoom.us/j/967440259
- Visit the website – https://zoom.us/join, and enter Meeting ID: 967 440 259
- Participate by phone – 312 626 6799, and enter Meeting ID: 967 440 259
Judaism 101 with Rabbi Garth Silberstein
Time: Sundays, 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Options to Join Zoom Meeting (*Please contact Rabbi Garth if you are not already a part of the class):
- Via this link – https://zoom.us/j/425047182
- Visit the website – https://zoom.us/join, and enter Meeting ID: 425 047 182
- Participate by phone – 312 626 6799, and enter Meeting ID: 425 047 182
Torah Study for Women with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
Time: Wednesdays, 9:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Options to Join Zoom Meeting – Please contact Maharat Rori, rpicker@gmail.com, for more information.
Parshat HaShavua with Rabbi Garth Silberstein
Time: Thursdays, 11:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Options to Join Zoom Meeting:
- Via this link – https://zoom.us/j/256194221
- Visit the website – https://zoom.us/join and enter Meeting ID: 256 194 221
- Participate by phone – 312 626 6799, and enter Meeting ID: 256 194 221
Pre-Shabbos Call
Time: Fridays, 6:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Options to Join Zoom Meeting:
- Via this link – https://zoom.us/j/216983559
- Visit the website – https://zoom.us/join and enter Meeting ID: 216 983 559
- Participate by phone – 312 626 6799, and enter Meeting ID: 216 983 559
Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
Congregation B'nai Amoona
A Thinking Person’s Judaism, Facilitated by Rabbi Neal Rose
- Sundays, 10:15-11:30 am
https://www.bnaiamoona.com/streaming
Comparative Religions: An Exploration of Faiths, Rabbi Neal Rose
- Wednesdays, 10-11:30 am
https://www.bnaiamoona.com/streaming
Yiddish Class, Rabbi Neal Rose
- Thursday, 10-11 am
https://www.bnaiamoona.com/streaming
For additional courses that require pre-registration or any questions, please contact Liessa Alperin at 314-324-0936 or liessa@bnaiamoona.com.
Holocaust Museum & Learning Center (HMLC)
Virtual Museum Tours
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe1EK9I0syo0G1Fxj18P8v28PDKrQ3H7n
Nusach Hari B'nai Zion
NHBZ Online Classes with Rabbi Smason will keep you connected during this challenging time. The classes listed below are easy to join and you can drop in on one without having previously attended. All classes are offered through Zoom video conferencing on your computer or smart phone (you do not need to download Zoom to see the class) AND through audio only on your telephone.
Instructions to attend a class:
For Zoom video: each class has a Zoom link- click on the link or copy and paste the link in your browser to join the class.
For audio through your telephone: Dial-in number: 314-325-8791
All classes listed below will use the above number to join with audio only. If possible, please try to join each class a few minutes before the start-time
1. Weekdays at 8:00 am (Sun. 9:00 am) New topic: “Tehillim Tips; Insights Into Our Prayers” with Rabbi Smason. Each session is planned to last 30 minutes or so.
Join by video at: https://zoom.us/j/99013706617
2. New Class! Monday – Friday 2:30 – 3:00 pm ~ “The Book of Ruth” with Rabbi Smason. This class will offer an in-depth study of the Book of Ruth in preparation for Shavuos.
Join by video: https://zoom.us/j/136785930
3. New Class for Kids ~ Monday – Friday at 2:00 pm ~ “Mitzvahs Kids Can Do”
Take a 10-minute break from your online school and join Rabbi Smason for short lessons on mitzvos specifically for children. For ages 7 to 12 years old. On Fridays we will review the upcoming weekly Torah portion.
Join by video at: https://zoom.us/j/136785930
4. Sunday- Thursday at 7:00 pm ~ Rabbi Smason will offer a “Family Time Meeting” offering a few words of inspiration, perhaps a story, and then together we will recite Tehillim and sing. Each session is planned to last 15 minutes or so.
Join by video a: https://zoom.us/j/295822730
5. Every Monday at 7:30 pm ~ “To the Source” with Rabbi Smason. An ongoing weekly class covering contemporary Torah topics using classic and modern English and Hebrew texts.
Join by video at: https://zoom.us/j/295822730
6. Every Wednesday at 12:15 pm ~ Study with Rabbi Smason- Pirkei Avos / Ethics of the Fathers. Our long-running class offers contemporary, relevant insights based upon the timeless wisdom of the Torah.
Join by video at: https://zoom.us/j/214068419
7. Every Friday afternoon at 12:15 pm, Rabbi Smason will be offering a 45 minute class / discussion on insights into the weekly Torah portion. While we currently are unable to have communal Torah study and listen to the Torah reading on Shabbos, we can at least prepare for the Torah portion that normally would be read on the upcoming Shabbos.
Join by video at: https://zoom.us/j/382191516
St. Louis Kollel
Senior Kollel Class (for men), Rabbi Gidon Nitsun
- Monday-Thursday, 11 am-Noon
- Call-in number: 425 436 6314, access code: 528842#
Advanced Gemara Learning (for men), Rabbi Gidon Nitsun
- Monday-Thursday, 8:45-9:45 am
- Call-in number: 425 436 6314, access code: 528842#
New Online Series from the Jewish Theological Seminary: Times of Crisis & Possibility
Pardes Institute (Israel)
Pardes Institute is an open, inclusive, diverse and intellectually challenging, and non-denominational Jewish learning community, based in Jerusalem and with programs worldwide. Elmad Online Learning offers a wide range of online learning including podcasts, teaching resources and much more. Online Passover learning and content here.
KosherWine.com Virtual Experiences
Opportunities throughout the month of May! For dates and links for registration, connect through the link below. Join on Zoom with winemakers, critics, and other professionals to learn about tasting notes, the process of wine making, tours of Israeli wineries, and other fun experiences! Want to win FREE WINE? During each live session, one lucky winner will receive a free bottle of wine plus a VIP tour at the winery featured in each session.
kosherwine.com/experiences?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KW%20Experiences%201C
Israeli American Council
The mission of the Israeli-American Council (IAC) is to build an engaged and united Israeli-American community that strengthens the Israeli and Jewish identity of our next generation, the American Jewish community, and the bond between the peoples of the United States and the State of Israel.
IAC @Home brings you the most innovative content online while continuing to build a national community with Israel at heart. With activities for kids, teens, young professionals and adults, you can stay connected to Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish heritage, online activism, and to one another. New events are added often.
The Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning
Free classes:
From Sinai to Seinfeld: Jews and their Jokes
Jewish Medical Ethics
Passover is a State of Mind
Leviticus/Vayikra: A Call to Holiness
Institute for Jewish Spirituality - Daily
Jewish tradition offers rich, accessible, and time-tested resources to cope with tense and challenging times. IJS, which has pioneered the development and teaching of Jewish mindfulness practices, is offering weekly Torah study, daily online meditation sit, courses, and more.
Israeli Poetry with Dr. Rachel Korazim and the Global Jewish Community
jewishLIVE
Sign up for jewishLIVE‘s email list, to receive a full Daily Round-Up, right in your inbox, of Jewish gatherings happening via livestream: www.jewishlive.org/email-list
The Washington Institute
The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them.
Podcast:Decision Point – The U.S.-Israel Relationship
washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/decision-points-the-u.s.-israel-relationship
“Decision Points” is a new podcast that is both a history lesson, a biography of the key Israelis and Americans that shaped the modern bond between the two nations, and a quest to understand how these decision points continue to reverberate today.
David Makovsky is the Ziegler distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Project on the Middle East Peace Process. He is also an adjunct professor in Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
For David’s articles and to sign up for a newsletter, got to www.davidmakovsky.com.
Jewish Together - Updated Daily
Virtual community and informative resources for individuals, professionals, and communities, powered by The Jewish Federations of North America.
The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research
Delve into the evolution of Yiddish theatre or learn about the rich history of Jewish life in Eastern Europe, Ashkenazi folklore, and more. YIVO’s entertaining and enlightening Shine online courses feature an array of leading scholars and include nearly 1,000 archival objects. To register for your free Shine online course, go to yivo.org/shine. Online courses are free during this time.
PJ Library
Facebook.com/PJLibrary
Facebook.com/PJLibrarySTL
Visit the national and St. Louis PJ Library Facebook pages for a list of daily offerings, updates, tips, and virtual programming!
Cards of Caring
JFedSTL.org/CardsofCaring
Help us show support for each other. Fill out the card (or two or three!) and mail it to a friend, family member, any loved one or person you miss!
If you would like to show support for the staff and teachers of Temple Israel (who are experiencing some especially challenging times right now), you can mail your card to the Deutsch Early Childhood Center:
#1 Rabbi Alvan D. Rubin Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141-7670
STL Reform Youth Virtual Programs
This webpage has virtual teen opportunities for 6th-12th graders.
STLJewishTeens.org is an entry point to Jewish life, designed to expose our community to the wide variety of Jewish opportunities for teens in St Louis. It is a project of the Reform Teen Initiative whose member congregations include Central Reform Congregation, Congregation Shaare Emeth, Congregation Temple Israel, Temple Emanuel, and United Hebrew Congregation. The Initiative is funded in part by a grant from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. For more information, contact Stacy Bernstein at sbernstein@jteens.org