Welcome to
Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur
12437 Ladue Road ● St. Louis, MO 63141 ● 314-576-5230 ● tradcong@sbcglobal.net

Seth D Gordon, Rabbi
Ephraim Zimand, Rabbi Emeritus
 

  



 

 But wait - there's more!

 

Babysitting Information

Baby sitting is provided at the shul during the High Holidays only.  If you'd like to have a Traditional teen babysit for you at home, call the office for a list of Traditional teens who will babysit for you.  If any others would like to be included in the list, call the office at 314-576-5230 with your name and phone number.

Kiddush is a time when we celebrate Shabbat with wine, food and friendship as a community.  We are delighted when we are able to open up our shul to invited guests to celebrate a simcha, mark a yartzeit, or honor a birthday or anniversary.  At times more than one family may want to sponsor or contribute to a kiddush.  We will try to accommodate everyone involved while at the same time staying sensitive to the menus, number of guests, etc. 

Tributes
Sisterhood sells tributes for those who would like to make donations in honor of, or in memory of, a loved one.  The cost of these tributes are $3.00 each or $15.00 for 6. You may purchase Sisterhood tributes by calling Gloria Friedlander (314-469-3274).  The monies raised by these tributes help defray the cost of many items used by the synagogue  (i.e. paper products, baby-sitting, etc.)  Support the Sisterhood and make a tribute.

Tree of Life Sprouts New Leaves
As a result of congregational demand and a unanimous Sisterhood Board vote, the Tree of Life will now accommodate "remembrance" leaves.  We have realized that not only individual life events, but indeed a person's entire life may be cause for celebration.  This will in no way replace the memorial plaques, yahrzeit lights, or other memorials available to our members.  In keeping with the original "simcha" atmosphere of the Tree's planners, we hope to stress the celebratory aspects of our feelings.  In other words, we hope to avoid words "In Memory of..."  in favor of phrasings such as "Celebrating the Life of..."  Leaves cost $75 or $150, with proceeds going to maintain the shul's kosher kitchens. To order leaves, or to ask any questions, please call Pamela Singer at 314-275-9909.

 

 
Sisterhood Activities

Sisterhood is Looking For…Kiddush sponsors for the months of April and May.  Celebrate your birthday, anniversary, or “just because” with your Traditional family.  Contact Anna, 314-878-0796.

FOLLOW-UP TO OUR TU B’SHEVAT SEDER
AND CUBAN JEWISH COMMUNITY RELIEF EFFORTS

Todah rabbah to everyone involved with the Tu b'Shevat seder, especially Barb Levin and Christy Brick (I could NOT have done it without you); Elana, who among other things helped set the tables (she's REALLY good at that); Benjamin, who has loved this holiday ever since a seder at Traditional over 20 years ago, when he choked on his first olive; and Alan Elfanbaum, who initiated a beautiful artboard and a haggadah-in-the-making, which provided fresh readings for our usual Shabbat seder.  I also appreciated very much the many phone messages from those of you indicating that you would have attended were it not for out-of-town/b'nai mitzvah conflicts (that was really above-and-beyond of you) as well as the phone calls afterward commenting on the intimate and relaxed evening.   See you next year?

On Benjamin's behalf, I would like to thank those who contributed checks or other donations toward his Northwestern Hillel trip to Cuba next month.  We accumulated many wonderful donations of prescription drugs, medical samples and supplies; some Judaica, and a handful of beautiful Jewish books; and even stylish clothing.   (For hygiene and other reasons, the Cuban government will allow only new clothing and new or like-new reading material.)   The medications will be dispensed to Cuban Jews, for whom they are legally prescribed by their doctors, from the free Jewish pharmacy in Havana.

On a related subject, because of the many individually-prescribed donated drugs that would expire before May 2010 (some had been expired for years), I would like to remind our fellow congregants about properly disposing of prescription medication (i.e., NEVER flush it down a toilet).  Contact your pharmacy or municipality for disposal methods; one that I am aware of advises making sure the caps are tightly closed, then wrapping the medication containers in newspapers and placing them in the trash.

Once again, thanks so much for your overwhelming support.  Benjamin probably collected many more donations (even AFTER our weeding-out) than other students; and from, I daresay, a smaller congregation than most.  I hope that he can share his experiences with you all during a future visit to St. Louis.

--Pam Singer

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

If you’re a regular (or even a semi-regular) at our Shabbat services, you know that invariably we have a lovely kiddush following services.  Thanks to the generosity of many of our members (and the labor of love by our kitchen angels), we share a nice nosh and have a chance to visit with each other. 

Sponsoring kiddush is a great way to celebrate an occasion in your family—birthdays, anniversaries, a job promotion, or just to say “We’re happy to be part of our congregation.”    And it’s easy—all you have to do is call Anna Brick at 314-878-0796 and she will be happy to arrange something to suit your style and your budget.  You can even co-sponsor with other families who may celebrate occasions at the same time of year (check the listings of birthdays and anniversaries in our Member Directory). 

Sponsorship opportunities are available for January and February, 2010.

Call Anna (314-878-0796) soon to reserve your date! 

Sisterhood Has Been Cooking Up a Storm! 

From cranberry relish to cinnamon roll-ups with a wide assortment of “in betweens,” the kitchens have been going full steam ahead.  When we’re not busy catering sponsored kiddushes, we are shopping and planning for the next event(s). 

Speaking of next events, be on the lookout for information regarding Traditional Congregation’s first ever Dinner and Live Entertainment coming in early January.  First rate dining, ambiance, entertainment and more, available to the entire community!  So get the buzz out and watch your (e)mail boxes for more information.  Can’t wait?  Call Christy Brick or Marian Gordon for the latest updates.  See you there! 

P.S.  Need a creative outlet?  Join us in the kitchen as we put our heads together to come up with the next menu.  Contact Anna Brick to get your apron!

Some of our favorite recipes . . .

 Butternut Squash Soup
(A Just-Because Soup Kitchen Favorite)  

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed

1 cup corn

3 cups vegetable stock

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup plain yogurt - OMIT FOR PAREVE

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions:

1.

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook and stir the garlic and onion in the oil until soft and translucent. Add the butternut squash and corn and cook for 3 more minutes. Pour the stock into the Dutch oven and bring to a boil; season with basil and black pepper.

2.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the Dutch oven from the heat and using a hand blender, or working in batches with a counter top blender, process the soup until smooth. Stir in the yogurt and nutmeg. 

Recipe from:  www.allrecipes.com, courtesy of Barbara Levin 

Six-Week Raisin Bran Muffins
(A hit at our Scholar in-Residence Brunch) 

1  15-ounce box raisin bran cereal

3  cups sugar

5  teaspoons baking soda

5  cups flour

2  teaspoons salt

1  cup pecans, chopped

4  eggs, beaten

1  cup vegetable oil

1  quart buttermilk

 

 1)  Mix dry ingredients together.

2)  Add beaten eggs, oil, and buttermilk.  Mix well.

3)  Put in large container and cover.  Store in refrigerator up to 2 months.

4)  When ready to bake, fill greased muffin or paper liners 2/3 full.

5)  Bake at 400° for 12-20 minutes. 

Yield:  3½ dozen

Recipe from:  Saint Louis Days/Saint Louis Nights, courtesy of Gail Tullman

Tree of Life Needs Tending

The Tree of Life in our lobby was "planted" in early 1990, when my son Benjamin had just turned two and our own Tu b'Shevat "tree," Elana, wasn't yet on the horizon.  Unbelievably, Benjamin is in his junior year of college and Elana is a high school senior.  It has been a wonderful "chai"-time of growth for them as Jewish youths; and they have helped with nearly all of my many Traditional projects, from literary readings and art lectures offered by Sisterhood for its members and guests, to annual membership events (including one featuring Judy Newmark), to many years of Tu b'Shevat seders, some years providing dinners and/or snacks for Sukkot or Shavuot. . . and more. 

But now that they have their own lives, and I am working a full-time-plus job, along with a second job (but who's counting?), as well as being a student again myself, I need to consider what is best for Traditional's donors: and that is to find a replacement after my 18-year "life" providing administration for the Tree of Life leaves.  This is an EASY job, but we would welcome someone willing to vigorously "market" the leaves and provide even more revenue for the synagogue's kitchens.  I am very willing to meet with anyone interested in this fundraiser to go over procedures and to hand over the few materials necessary. 

We need someone to take responsibility for this important project.  If you can devote a few hours a month, please contact me or Anna Brick.  Thanks to everyone through the years for your support.

Pamela Singer
314-275-9909 

Celebrate!

If you want to have a Kiddush, look in the back of the Shul directory and see who else will be celebrating a birthday or anniversary, call them to coordinate and make it a big celebration.  WHAT FUN.. Kitchen fees, usage fees are $250 for one day, if you plan on using it for more than one day, it will have to be discussed with Marian.  Linens must be ordered two weeks ahead and there will be an additional charge.  If there are over 20 invited guest not counting our congregants the labor fee is $250.00, which requires three outside helpers.  The food must be wrapped and picked up on Sunday, unless other plans have been made with the office.

Our Shul is one BIG family and we love to celebrate.  It's also a time when the congregants can sit around and schmooze.  Call Anna if you're thinking about a celebration and she'll check the date and will love to help you plan your occasion.

--Anna Brick

Memorial Booklet Information

Frequently-Asked Questions About the Memorial Book

Because we keep our annual Sisterhood Memorial Book mailing to one page only, we don't really have room to address all of the questions and problems congregants may have when responding to our letter. Therefore, this year, we have compiled the most-often asked questions along with brief answers.  As always, please call the Memorial Book chairperson (NOT the office staff) with any further questions or concerns.  

1.  Why aren't my loved ones' memorials automatically included in the Yahrzeit Book?

Consistent with community synagogue practices, this is a fundraiser; in our case, for Traditional Congregation Sisterhood.  Of course, your yahrzeits are always read aloud on the preceding Shabbat, and reminder mailings sent out by the office, once the office is aware of your loss.  

Also, while inclusion in the Memorial Book is a meaningful way to remember the deceased, and benefits the congregation as well, some people simply don't want to be included in this project; often, they have other ways, public and private, in which they choose to remember yahrzeits.

2.  Why do I have to write down new yahrzeit dates?  Doesn't the office already have everything you need?

Sometimes the office does not have the correct date; also, the yahrzeit files in the office usually do not have the secular date of death, only the Hebrew date.   We need the secular date for a complete entry in the Memorial Book yahrzeit calendar, in which we automatically list everyone (for whom we have a date) named in a family memorial in the book.   Often people don't wish to have calendar listings, so they don't give us dates.  If we think omission of the date is an error, we will telephone you; but we're human, and may not reach you, and if you wanted the date to be listed, you'll probably be upset!  Of course, sometimes the exact date is unknown, and your names can still be listed in the calendar in a way that is meaningful to you.

3.  Why don't you specify the relationship to the deceased?

Again, consistent with many congregational formats, we only list the names of the deceased and of those "remembering" them.  One reason is that relationships can be complicated, or difficult to define (such as aunts who raise their nieces and nephews, acting as a life-long mother figure), and a loving remembrance transcends such labels.  

4.  You made a mistake in my memorial.  What can you do about it?

We always feel terrible when this happens.  The reasons are legion:  computer glitches or miscopied data files (really; especially during the software changes in the office, whose computers were generously offered for our use these past six years), missing or contradictory information from family members, replacing pages at the last minute, and of course human oversights on our part.

What YOU can do to help prevent upsetting errors is provide complete information, and don't assume that we have all the facts on any deaths in the past Jewish year.   Also, since most of our worst mistakes were an indirect result of very late responses from congregants, please try to honor the requested deadline.

Unfortunately we can only afford to redo the book for each Yom Kippur, so an error will be in the book for the next three Yizkors.  When the error is our fault, we almost always offer a free memorial of the same type for the next year's book, which is only fair.

5.  Why can't/won't the office staff help me with my memorial in the yahrzeit book?

Again, this is a Sisterhood project; and while the office has always been very helpful in passing along phone messages, finding yahrzeit dates for us, and even lending us their computers these past six years, this fundraiser is not their job to do, but that of Sisterhood volunteers.  

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE TRADITIONAL CONGREGATION MEMORIAL BOOK!

Tobie Hupert

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