The J - St. Louis

Spring Into Fitness Inbody Fitness Challenge
2025-04-17 08:00 - 2025-05-25 17:00 (America/Chicago) | MO, United States
18+ years. A six-week challenge to get you ready for summer. Ramp up the effort (and difficulty!) each week. Gain access to peer support, guided workouts, and more!
Staenberg Family Complex/Marilyn Fox Building
Monday-Sunday | April 14- May 25
Times vary
Price
$39 | member
For more information or questions contact Fitness Manager, Amber Powell at 314.442.3450 or Fitness Director, Andy Hayes at 314.442.3147

Beyond Breast Cancer
2025-05-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
Beyond Breast Cancer: BRCA Gene Mutations and the Risk of Gastrointestinal, Pancreatic, and Skin Cancers
Thursday, May 22
5:30 Light Refreshments
6-7:30pm Program Q&A
The J – Mirowitz Performing Arts & Banquet Center
Certified genetic counselor(s) will discuss hereditary cancer and the crucial role of genetic counseling in understanding risks. Specialists in gastroenterology and dermatology will discuss how BRCA genes and other related genes may influence the risk for cancers beyond breast and gynecologic cancers, such as pancreatic cancer and melanoma. They will discuss methods of quantifying risk for these cancers, as well as effective screening programs to reduce the risk of developing these cancers.
Register Here

Erin Beaver, MS, CGC
A licensed, certified Genetics Counselor currently working as a full-time clinical genetic counselor in oncology at the Missouri Baptist Breast Healthcare Center. She is also an adjunct faculty at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS) genetic counseling program advising students in their thesis research.

Susan Jones, MS, CGC
A licensed, certified Genetic Counselor at Missouri Baptist, she trained at the University of Cincinnati and initially worked in pediatric and prenatal genetics before focusing on cancer genetics. Passionate about its actionable impact, she worked at Siteman Cancer Center in the Gyn-Onc Genetics Clinic, specializing in ovarian and uterine cancers. She now sees patients with various hereditary cancer concerns.

Dr. Koushik Das, MD, FASGE, AGAF
An Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University in St Louis where he serves as director of endoscopic research and associate program director of the gastroenterology fellowship program. He completed his undergraduate and medical education at Columbia University, internal medicine residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, and gastroenterology and therapeutic endoscopy fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania. His work is primarily focused in basic, translational, and clinical research in pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cystic disease. His primary clinical focus has been in high risk gastrointestinal cancer genetics, building a multidisciplinary program with partners in medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation, oncology, colorectal surgery, and medical genetics to help patients who are at risk for pancreatic, stomach, and colon cancers.

Dr. David Chen, MD, PhD
An Assistant Professor of Medicine and Associate Chief for Research in the Division of Dermatology at Washington University School of Medicine, where he provides care for patients with advanced melanoma and other skin malignancies. He graduated from the Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University School of Medicine, where he also completed his postgraduate training in dermatology through the Oliver Langenberg Physician Scientist Training Program. Dr. Chen’s research focuses on defining the role of epigenetic changes in the skin that predispose individuals to cancer development. Dr. Chen serves on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network melanoma guidelines committee.

Shavuot Ice Cream Meet-up
2025-06-01 11:00 - 14:00 | FroYo Frozen Yogurt, 10909 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur, 63141, United States
Families. For the holiday of Shavuot, cool off with some frozen yogurt. Stop by anytime, open house style and 20% of the proceeds will be donated back to the J.
Addie Meister, ameister@jccstl.org

Nishmah & NJT: Peace, Love & Panel
2025-06-12 17:00 - 21:00 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
Doors, Dinner & Panel: 5:15pm
Show start time: 7pm
Staenberg Family Complex – Arts & Education Building
Join us for the first of its kind! Peace, Love & Panel, an intergenerational look at career and motherhood throughout the decades. Local women will share their stories of balancing work and a family, representing multiple generations. Following dinner and the panel, we will watch the hit NJT Show, The Heidi Chronicles. Click the registration link to buy tickets and for more information!
$60 ticket for dinner and the show
Register Here

Sports Storytelling with Ben Hochman
2025-06-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
18 years +. The perfect opportunity to combine your love for sports with the power of narrative. Whether you’re drawn to the drama of a game, the inspiring journeys of athletes, or the emotions that come with victory and defeat, this workshop will help you craft compelling stories that resonate with readers. Through engaging exercises, prompts, and group feedback, you’ll learn how to capture the intensity, emotion, and excitement of sports in writing.
Register Online

PRIDE Community Shabbat
2025-06-20 17:30 - 19:30 | J Day Camps Pavilion – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, and the St. Louis Jewish community is coming together for a Pride Shabbat celebration! We’re inviting all who identify, their allies and families of all kinds to join us for a community-wide event with snacks, games, music, and other activities. Pre-registration is encouraged. The Pride Shabbat Picnic is made possible by support from the Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life Fund and sponsored by the J, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, JCRC and PJ Library.

Member Appreciation Party - Creve Coeur
2025-06-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Outdoor Pool – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
Creve Coeur
Sunday, June 22, 2025
5-8pm
Registration Opens June 2!

Memoir Bootcamp
2025-06-23 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-06-24 17:30 - 19:00 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
18 years +. This is designed for writers ready to refine their personal narrative and take their memoir to the next level. Through focused writing exercises, prompts, and group feedback, you’ll strengthen key elements like voice, structure, and emotional depth, transforming your experiences into a compelling story. Additionally, we’ll provide practical guidance on how to get your work into the hands of agents and publishers, including tips on query letters, building your author platform, and navigating the publishing process.
Register Online

Member Appreciation Party - Chesterfield
2025-06-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Outdoor Pool – The J Marilyn Fox Building, 16801 Baxter Road, Chesterfield, MO, 63005, United States
Chesterfield
Sunday, June 29, 2025
5-8pm
Registration Opens June 2!

Israeli Culinary Institute UNPLUGGED: Salatim Edition
2025-07-01 18:00 - 20:00 | The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63110, United States
Adults 21+. Spice up your culinary skills at our Israeli Cooking Class with Naomi, our Israeli Shalicha! Learn to make Salatim, an Israeli favorite. Enjoy a culinary journey at the J that’ll leave you hungry for more. Don’t miss out!

Echoes & Alter Egos: A Persona Poetry Workshop
2025-07-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
Echoes & Alter Egos: A Persona Poetry Workshop
Tuesday, July 29 | 5:30-7pm
SFC Performing Arts Center
Slip into borrowed voices, inhabit lives unseen, and let language shape new identities. This immersive workshop delves into the art of persona poetry, where the self dissolves and the poem speaks
through another.
Tickets: $15

Camp Sabra Reunion Weekend
2025-08-22 08:00 - 2025-08-24 17:00 | Camp Sabra – The Staenberg Peninsula, 30750 Camp Sabra Road, Rocky Mt, MO, 65072, United States
Camp Sabra Reunion Weekend!
August 22-24, 2025
Camp Sabra
Lake of the Ozarks
Staenberg Peninsula
It will be a weekend of sailing, swimming, shooting arrows, playing land sports, ziplining, climbing walls, tie-dying and more! Hang out at the SCT bench or the swim beach. Make this weekend exactly what you and your camp friends want with plenty of time to relax or sing and cheer. We will celebrate a traditional camp Shabbat (don’t forget to wear white) led by alumni clergy. The Camp Sabra Alumni Committee is thrilled to welcome you back to camp. We hope to see you there!
For more information contact Ben Panet 314.442.3268
Register Here

Summer Used Book Sale at the J
2025-08-24 08:00 - 2025-08-28 20:00 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
Book lovers, collectors, and avid readers all anticipate the J’s semiannual Used Book Sale, held in January and August each year! Thousands of titles are available, including mystery and intrigue, novels, biographies, politics, religion, sports, cookbooks, history, animals, art, science, science fiction, business, women’s issues, foreign languages, gardening, poetry, psychology, self-help, humor…the list goes on. Parents and educators will find a large selection of books for children and youth as well as educational materials for homeschoolers. Multiples of titles are available for book club reading, along with videos, DVDs, and books on tape/CD.

See the Summer 2025 Used Book Sale Schedule

End-of-Summer Bash at the Pool with the J's Family Center and PJ Library
2025-08-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Outdoor Pool – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
Join the J’s Family Center, Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, PJ Library, and the Jewish Federation for an end-of-summer bash at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex Pool in Creve Coeur. Let’s celebrate the end of the summer with one last splash before school starts up again. Families, siblings, and grandparents welcome. Registration required.
Register Now

Marilyn Fox Building Renovation Dedication
2025-09-04 19:00 - 20:15 | The J Marilyn Fox Building, 16801 Baxter Road, Chesterfield, MO, 63005, United States
Please Join Us for the Marilyn Fox Building Renovation Dedication!
You are invited to a celebration of the nearly completed renovations of our beloved Marilyn Fox Building on the Marilyn and Sam Fox Campus! Join us for cake, a champagne toast, and a dedication ceremony!
7pm Open House and Tours
7:45pm Dedication Ceremony
Cake and Champagne Toast to Follow
This incredible transformation was made possible thanks to YOUR generous support. While the finishing touches will continue through September, we couldn’t wait to celebrate this exciting milestone with you!
RSVP by Tuesday, August 26
RSVP to Attend
Questions? Email Chelsea Leon or call 314-442-3109

J Pool Pooch Party
2025-09-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Outdoor Pool – The J Marilyn Fox Building, 16801 Baxter Road, Chesterfield, MO, 63005, United States
$15 members | $20 general public at the door
Our Chesterfield pool is going to the dogs!
Bring your canine friends to swim, splash and play in our outdoor pool before we drain it! Treats for canines will be provided.
Must provide proof of vaccinations upon entry.
Event Rules
• Maximum two dogs per handler.
• All dog handlers must be at least 18 years of age.
• No female dogs in heat or puppies under six months old.
• All dogs must be current on vaccinations.
• Aggressive dogs will be asked to leave.
• Dogs swim at owner’s risk.

Lynnie's Light for Life
2025-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
18 years +. An inspiring and uplifting evening as we come together to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients, raise awareness about hereditary cancer risk factors, and empower Jewish women in our community.
View Event Webpage

Lynnie's Light for Life 2025
2025-09-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Mirowitz Performing Arts & Banquet Center – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, 63146, United States
Please join us for our annual gathering as we shine a light on the work of
The Hamsa Wellness Community and Nishmah, the St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 7pm
Mirowitz Performing Arts and Banquet Center
Donations of all levels are appreciated.
Leaf of Light
Honor or remember someone with a Leaf of Light at the event with a donation of $118 or more. Leaves will help build our tree of life at the event.
Pillar Sponsorships
Become a pillar of connection, hope, education, strength, and support for others! Each Pillar includes a Leaf of Light.
Pillar of Connection – $10,000
Pillar of Hope – $5,000
Pillar of Education – $2,500
Pillar of Strength – $1,000
Pillar of Support – $500
Donate
Donate in Honor of Debbi Braunstein
Debbi Braustein has made the Hamsa Wellness Community the cancer support program that it is today. From Beyond Pink to Monthly Support Groups to Strength Over Cancer, Debbi has left her mark on our community.
In honor of Debbi’s retirement from the J, we are asking anyone who has been impacted by her work to donate to Lynnie’s Light for Life.
We thank Debbi for her immeasurable impact on our community, and we thank all of you for your support.
Donate For Debbi

Pillar of Life Award
We are proud to announce the creation of a special recognition that will be given annually at Lynnie’s Light for Life. The Pillar of Life Award celebrates an individual who has made a meaningful impact on the cancer community and demonstrated exceptional support for the mission and work of The Hamsa Wellness Community at the J. The award recognizes those who embody the spirit of Hamsa’s five foundational pillars—Connection, Hope, Education, Strength, and Support—whether through advocacy, education, compassionate care, or community engagement. The recipient exemplifies a deep commitment to empowering individuals and families facing a diagnosis through increased awareness and meaningful support.

Dr. Ron Bose, MD, PhD
Pillar of Life Award Recipient
Dr. Ron Bose is a medical oncologist who focuses on breast cancer patients and breast cancer research. He has worked at the Siteman Cancer Center and Washington University School of Medicine for 18 years.
He earned his MD and PhD degrees from Cornell University. His PhD is in cancer research and he did this research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He first came to St. Louis in 1999 to do internship and residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He then went back to the East Coast for 5 years to do Medical Oncology fellowship and research at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He was recruited back to St. Louis in 2007 to work at Siteman.
Dr. Bose shares a meaningful connection with the Palan and Isaacs family—most notably with the late Lynne Isaacs Palan z”l, whose commitment to the J’s cancer support services inspired the creation of Lynnie’s Light for Life. Dr. Bose developed a deep bond with the family and, in turn, a lasting commitment to the broader community. He actively participates in the J’s cancer support initiatives, including Beyond Pink, an annual day of education, exercise, and wellness, and frequently shares his expertise at hereditary cancer awareness events. Dr. Bose also encourages his patients to connect with The Hamsa Wellness Community’s Breast and Ovarian Cancer Support Group. His decades of service in cancer research and compassionate care exemplify the mission of the Hamsa Wellness Community and make him a deserving recipient of the inaugural Pillar of Life Award.

Thank You to the Lynnie’s Light for Life Committee!
Co-Chairs
Vickie Shuchart & Ricki Tischler
General Committee
Marcie Brook, Amy Burman, Lisa Cohen, Nikki Goldfeder, Judith Isaacs, Marcia Lisker,
Michelle Mills, Rhonda Oberman, Griffin Palan, Debbie Polinsky, Clare Richardson, Sheri Schneider-Dicker, Tracey Singer
Staff
Debbi Braunstein, Director, Hamsa Wellness Community
Avital Kadosh, Director, Jewish Experience & Innovation
Emilie Brockman, Manager, Jewish Community Engagement

About Lynnie’s Light

In 2013 the J established Sharsheret Supports STL, a program of Nishmah, and a community partner of the national Sharsheret organization. Through personalized support and lifesaving education, this program has improved lives of women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer. Inspired by the success of this program, the J is proud to expand our focus and launch The Hamsa Wellness Community. This expansion allows for the continuation of our current activities while broadening our educational programming to address a broader range of hereditary cancers that impact both women and men. This also allows for the expansion of free psychosocial support to those facing a cancer diagnosis or at risk of developing a hereditary cancer. The Hamsa Wellness Community will focus on pillars of Connection, Hope, Education, Support and Strength.
Lynn Isaacs Palan (Lynnie) was a pioneer and leader of both Nishmah: The St. Louis Jewish Women’s Project and Sharsheret Supports STL. Through her passionate volunteerism and professional work in these organizations and many others, she was dedicated to building vibrant communities and changing lives, especially for individuals living with, or at increased genetic risk of developing cancer. Lynnie lost her battle to breast cancer on April 10, 2018, leaving a legacy of philanthropy among her family, friends, and the entire St. Louis community. Lynnie’s passion and drive will forever remain the legacy of The Hamsa Wellness Community and Nishmah.
For more information or to donate to Lynnie’s Legacy, contact Director of the Hamsa Wellness Community, Chelsea Leon, at cleon@jccstl.org.

NJT Presents 'The Wanderers' by Anna Ziegler
2025-09-11, 2025-09-13, 2025-09-14, 2025-09-17, 2025-09-18, 2025-09-20, 2025-09-21, 2025-09-25 and 1 more date | Harvey & Marlene Wool Studio Theatre – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146, United States
September 11–September 28, 2025 — Dates and times vary. See The Wanderers on NJT’s webpages for times, dates, and to reserve your tickets!
Synopsis: This story of two seemingly different Jewish marriages (one Orthodox, the other secular) shows the difficulty in balancing individual identity with family. Funny, moving, and thoughtful, the play asks if following one’s truth is worth it, no matter the cost.

Nishmah Women’s Retreat
2025-09-12 - 2025-09-14 | Camp Sabra – The Staenberg Peninsula, 30750 Camp Sabra Road, Rocky Mt, MO, 65072, United States
Adult Women. Join us for a very special Shabbat retreat set at the J’s breathtaking Camp Sabra at the Lake of the Ozarks for the very first time! We will gather for learning, entertainment, great kosher food, Pre-Rosh Hashanah prep, Shabbat services with special one-of-a-kind sessions, and more! Registration is required.
Activities include:

Yoga
Hiking
Canoeing and Kayaking
Land Sports
Tie Dye
Pre-Shabbat Drum Circle
Israel Panel with women recently returning from Israel
Happy Hours
Bonfires and S’mores
Arts & Crafts

Session topics include:

Menopause
Aging Parents
Mental Health and strategies for coping with stress
The neuroscience of transformational change
Motherhood
Rosh Chodesh Circles
Writing workshop
Vision boards
Ceramics
Song Circles
The transformational power of summer camp
Body positivity and acceptance
The power of female friendship
Nishmah’s September book club will meet at the retreat (Book: Rising out of Hatred, by Eli Saslow)
Israeli Sport: Catchball
Israel panel
A session with our new Israeli Shlichah

Camp Sabra
Friday-Sunday | September 12-14
Price
Cabin Lodging: $250
Climate Control Lodging: $325
Register Here
Thank you to our Retreat Committee!

Jennifer Baer
Lisa Binowitz
Stacy Berger
Stephanie Brown
Laurie Burstein
Marianne Chervitz
Ann Mayer Eisen
Jessica Fischoff
Jada Fox
Lori Goldberg
Sabrina Gornish
Katie Rice-Guter
Claudia Hall
Iris Hinderliter

Kari Kramer
Raquel Leverson
Maxine Mirowitz
Erin Pernikoff
Emily Perlstadt
Simone Picker
Jen Rich
Jessica Shafrin
Vickie Shuchart
Carly Sparks
Ally Vesper
Shelby-Wolf Wilhelm
Jen Wittner

3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
2025-09-20 12:00 - 2025-09-21 22:00 | Arts & Education Building – The J Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63146
Ages 18+. Get ready for an intense and exciting 3-on-3 tournament! Teams will compete in best-of-three matches, with the first two games played to 30 points and a potential third game to 20 if needed. Each match has a 55-minute time limit, ensuring fast-paced, actionpacked games. Teams can have a maximum of five players on the roster, allowing for strategic substitutions and fresh legs on the court. Custom jerseys are available for purchase if needed. Team registration and complete payment are required to secure your spot in this thrilling tournament!
Saturday, September 20 – Sunday September 21, 2025
Games begin at 12pm
$180/team
Register Online
