Shaare Emeth And Temple Israel Announce Plans To Explore Merger

The two Reform Congregations in Creve Coeur go public with "Exploratory Conversations to Create One Vibrant Congregation."

Shaare Emeth and Temple Israel announced plans Wednesday to consider a "new approach that no single congregation could accomplish on its own," a process that could see the two Reform Jewish congregations' membership vote on a merger as early as the end of 2013. “At a time when congregations are facing great challenges around engaging and serving the unique needs of members, both congregations decided to work together to consider a new model,” said Rabbi Jim Bennett of Shaare Emeth in a press release. “We want to build an innovative community that focuses on members and families with different needs,” Rabbi Amy Feder of Temple Israel said in the statement. “Bringing these congregations together would give members access to more resources …

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Shaare Emeth-B'nai El Collaboration Moves Forward

The St. Louis Jewish Light reports that B'nai El's congregation has voted to approve the move, which is not considered a merger.

There are still questions about how the arrangement will actually work, but a move to relocate B'nai El onto the campus of Congregation Shaare Emeth in Creve Coeur has now been approved by the membership of both faith communities, The St. Louis Jewish Light reports. Patch has previously reported that the collaboration will allow B'nai El to focus on serving the needs of members between the ages of 50 and 75. Greg Yawitz, first-vice president of Shaare Emeth told Patch that a committee with representatives of both congregations was being established, but indicated that many of the specifics of moving forward were not yet available. “We can now dream and create together, using our shared resources to help provide opportunities for deeper and…

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Shaare Emeth, B'nai El 'Collaboration': Shared Facilities, New Mission Serving Older Worshippers

The plan would see the 160-year-old B'nai El relocate from North 40 Drive to Shaare Emeth’s campus, according to one report.

New details are beginning to emerge around a plan for a so-called "collaboration" between the Shaare Emeth Congregation and the B'nai El Congregation. The plans call for a "new mission" for the 160-year-old B'nai El congregation, one that would focus on serving Jewish worshippers from 50 to 75 years of age, apparently still in the B'nai El facilities. At the same time, according to a report Wednesday by The Jewish Light, the arrangement would mean the B'nai El temple would essentially relocate to Shaare Emeth’s campus at Ladue and Ballas roads. The arrangement first came to light on Sunday night in an email forwarded to the public and congregation members from Shaare Emeth. That statement said the two congregations would "collaborate" in …

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Shaare Emeth Announces 'Collaboration' With B'nai El Congregation

The Sunday evening statement said B'nai El members could "assume the full responsibilities and privileges of Congregation Shaare Emeth membership," but makes no specific reference to a merger.

Sunday night, Shaare Emeth released the following statement: The Shaare Emeth Board of Directors is excited to announce that Congregation Shaare Emeth and B'nai El Congregation will, once the members of B'nai El approve the necessary changes to their bylaws, enter into a new and innovative collaboration to create a lasting legacy for B'nai El on the Shaare Emeth campus. B'nai El Congregation is repurposing the synagogue as an independent organization  that will focus on engaging all Jewish adults, generally aged 50-75, who are seeking to uniquely broaden and explore their  lives; socially,  communally and intellectually. The "new B'nai El" vision will insure the ongoing legacy of the B'nai El Congregation. Critical to this mission is …

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Cyberthief May Have Stolen Thousands Of Dollars From Congregation's Bank Account

The Executive Director with Shaare Emeth said the case has been forwarded to Creve Coeur Police.

In a message to community stakeholders Friday, Shaare Emeth officials announced that the Jewish congregation's checking account had been "compromised": We are writing you to advise that yesterday (Thursday) Congregation Shaare Emeth's checking account was compromised. The total amount stolen was $23,000. We are working closely with the bank and the police. All outstanding checks are being monitored, and we are tracing the compromised transactions. All checking account data has been secured and cannot be further compromised. No credit card information or transactions were affected, nor were any Congregant accounts.    Rosalie Stein, Shaare Emeth's Executive Director, told Patch that the theft was not connected to an employee and that the …

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Shaare Emeth Congregation Member Mourned

Victor Clayton Kelly died suddenly on Sunday.

Last Chance: Online Registration For Shaare Emeth's Mitzvah Day Approaching

You can still show up on May 6 to help, but online registration closes April 26 at Midnight.

In less than two weeks, people will fan out around the St. Louis area to help agencies and organizations which could use a little sweat equity, as part of Congregation Shaare Emeth's Mitzvah Day. Some of the projects already have enough volunteers, but others still need help. You're invited to show up May 6 for the events, but you're encouraged to register online by April 26 at Midnight. Click here for more information List of Projects

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Creve Coeur Costumes On Display

Purim celebrations are happening at Creve Coeur area Jewish congregations. Share your photos with us!

The Jewish holiday of Purim is upon us. It is a time to mark salvation from an ancient Persian plot to kill all Jews in a single day. Today, Purim is celebrated through prayer, giving charity to others, and by dressing in costume. Many of the congregations in and around Creve Coeur are hosting a carnival and other activities over the next few weeks. United Hebrew and Shaare Emeth got things started over the weekend. If your congregation wants to get the word out about your event, post it on our calendar. And when you're done celebrating, post your photos here in our Purim Gallery. Many thanks to Yana Hotter for getting us started.

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Creve Coeur Serves As Hub For Holocaust Remembrance Day

St. Louis came together at Shaare Emeth Sunday.

The St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center brought people together in Creve Coeur Sunday, as the world marked Yom Hashoah Memorial observances to remember the millions murdered during the Holocaust. The Museum sponsored an event at Shaare Emeth Congregation in Creve Coeur late Sunday afternoon. This year's focus was on the estimated 1.5 million Soviet Jews who were victimized by the Nazis. The event also paid specific tribute to Russian survivors and the Soviet war veterans living in the area.

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