L’Chaim! Celebrates the Power of Jewish Women and 125 Years of Community

More than 500 women came together last week for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ 12th annual L’Chaim!, the signature Women’s Philanthropy event celebrating Jewish life, community, and the extraordinary impact of Jewish women.

Held at Ameristar Casino, this year’s L’Chaim! brought a fresh energy to the beloved annual gathering as the Jewish community celebrates Federation’s 125th anniversary. Co-chairs Jennifer Deutsch and Kristin Friedman welcomed guests to an evening centered on the women who have helped build Jewish St. Louis and those who are shaping its future.

Throughout the evening, attendees celebrated the generations of women who have strengthened Jewish life in St. Louis through leadership, generosity, and service by recognizing honorees with a special Chai pin. Earlier this year, members of the community were invited to nominate women who have made a meaningful impact on Jewish St. Louis. The pins served as a reminder that every woman has a role in strengthening the community and that the contributions of so many women, whether publicly recognized or not, are part of the community’s collective story.

“There is something incredibly powerful about seeing more than 500 Jewish women come together to celebrate our community,” said Danny Cohn, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. “For 125 years, Jewish women have played an essential role in building and strengthening Jewish life in St. Louis. L’Chaim! gave us an opportunity to celebrate the women who came before us, honor the women leading our community today, and look ahead to the beautiful future we are building together.”

The evening also highlighted the women who make an annual commitment to the Jewish Federation of St. Louis through the Lion of Judah, Pomegranate, and Pearl giving societies. Together, these women represent generations of Jewish women choosing to invest in Jewish life and ensure a vibrant future for the community.

As part of the evening’s Annual Campaign appeal, attendees heard from past Jewish Federation board chairs Nancy Siwak, Shelia Greenbaum, and Patty Croughan, as well as incoming board chair Felicia Malter, who reflected on the legacy of women’s leadership within the organization. Malter, who will take on the role in January, encouraged women to consider their own role in this moment and make a commitment to the community’s future.

The appeal also featured a $100,000 matching opportunity from a generous donor family. Every new and increased gift made during the event counted toward the match, encouraging guests to step forward and invest in the future of Jewish St. Louis.

Following the formal program, L’Chaim! transformed into an evening of entertainment and connection. Guests enjoyed casino-style games including blackjack, roulette, and craps, kosher food stations, drinks, a photo booth, and performances throughout the evening. Mentalist Jason Suran entertained guests with a combination of psychology, storytelling, and magic, while New York-based singer and actor Ari Axelrod performed in the L’Chaim! Lounge, and magician Jeff Lefton brought close-up magic directly to guests.

But the casino games came with a philanthropic twist. Rather than playing for real money, guests collected winning chips that could be directed toward one of four Jewish Federation strategic investment areas. At the end of the night, women took their winning chips and placed them into jars representing the areas where they wanted to see Jewish Federation make an impact — turning a night of fun into another meaningful expression of philanthropy and community investment.

Together, L’Chaim! attendees raised more than $450,000 in support of Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Annual Campaign and the future of the St. Louis Jewish community.

The evening was more than a celebration of 125 years of Jewish life in St. Louis. It was a celebration of the women who built it, the women who sustain it today, and the women who will carry it forward. From philanthropy and leadership to friendship and community, L’Chaim! offered a powerful reminder that the future of Jewish St. Louis is strong and vibrant.

L’Chaim — to life, to community, and to the women who make it stronger.