STL JBF Presents “Comedy, Conversation, and Courageous Women”
The 36th annual St. Louis Jewish Book Festival is about to kick off (November 2-16), and the women’s special event always attracts a sellout crowd with laughter, compelling literature, and, of course, decadent desserts that you can burn off the next morning in spin class.
This year’s literary lollapalooza is no exception, featuring a Girl’s Night Out on November 4 that you don’t want to miss. “Comedy, Conversation, and Courageous Women†features a panel of three extraordinarily talented authors whose works include a fascinating biography of the world’s first female astronaut, a comic memoir about marital escapades, and another autobiography on the brutally funny side of surviving breast cancer. Let’s just say all three of these titles are worthy of the most discerning book clubs, so get ready for a night of fun.
They are Cindy Chupack, Lynn Sherr, and Geralyn Lucas.
“All three of these celebrities are passionate ambassadors for women’s causes,†says Scott Berzon, director of the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival. “Their books cover comedy and serious topics as well, so guests can expect energy and more energy.â€
Continue reading
Challah-lujah! Learn The Mitzvah of Braiding Bread.
After the Days of Awe, it’s time to learn a few tricks of the trade when it comes to making challah. This sweet, eggy, moist delicious bread is the staff of life for Jewish people, so now is the time to learn how it’s done. In fact, the only thing more fun than eating these aromatic loaves is braiding the bread among friends. So join us this coming Sunday afternoon at the “Challah Baking & Shabbat In-A-Box,†hosted by the Jewish Women’s Society of Aish HaTorah. As we mix, knead, and braid the soft dough, we’ll also learn about the mitzvah of women making challah. After all, when it comes to making challah, there’s never too many cooks in the kitchen.
Continue reading
Remembering The Lives on 9/11
When I was in New York last month with my friend Jonna to celebrate my 50th birthday, one of the places I wanted to visit was the 9/11 Memorial. I’ve seen so many photos and television reports of Ground Zero, but I wanted to experience the World Trade Center landmark for myself. Instead of taking a cab from the Theatre District, where we saw the musical Newsies, and driving to the Financial District, we decided to walk a “few” city blocks and take in the sights along the way.  As the sun began to set behind the tall buildings and the sky turned darker in the city that never sleeps, we were tempted to stop at one of the many outdoor cafés for a cappuccino and rest our tired feet, but we kept going. We wanted to reach the 9/11 Museum before it closed for the night.
Illuminated ahead of us was the brilliant “Freedom Tower,†which seemed closer than it actually was. So much for the pocket size map we bought at Grand Central Station. Despite our stomachs growling and our ankles swollen, we kept walking. When we got to Washington Square Park, I kicked off my flip-flops and dipped my sore feet in the fountain. That’s when I started to complain about a blister on my toe. Seriously? I’m whining about my tired feet when thousands of terrorized people, some of them covered in ashes and their own blood, ran for their lives down the smoke-filled streets of Manhattan as the World Trade Center Towers collapsed behind them.
Continue reading
Join Our Girl’s Night Out! Israeli Cooking Demo Feeds The Soul
Whether you’re looking for interesting new recipes for Rosh Hashanah or just want a fun Girl’s Night Out, join our Israeli cooking demo and tasting on September 10, 7-9 p.m., with Renee Chernin, an international speaker and author of the widely acclaimed Cooking for the King, Rosh Hashanah Edition.
Renee Chernin, cookbook author and speaker.
Presented by The Jewish Women’s Society, this kosher food fest, called “Success in Elul,” is open to everyone in the community. Chernin promises to feed the soul with recipes like the sweet and crunchy Shana Tova salad, which she describes as a “one jewel toned salad that has become a holiday tradition and is so beautiful it can be the centerpiece for your Yom Tov table.”Â
Continue reading
STL Jewish Community Helps #Ferguson
We are at war. Gaza. Syria. Ferguson.
Ferguson?
Fifteen days ago this small Missouri town was virtually unknown to the rest of the world.
Today, this North County suburb– headquarters of Emerson Electric and proud to be named a “Playful City USA†community for the fourth consecutive year according to its website—is now on the cover of Time and Businessweek.
Continue reading
Turning 50. Turning 90.
With my mom Char at my first book signing, 2011.
Turning 50 is a milestone. So are the ages 1 and 6 and 100 and every year in between. Â On August 20, I celebrated my pivotal half-century mark with my mom Charlotte. She will be 90 in October.
Normally we would go out to lunch on my birthday, maybe enjoy French onion soup at  La Bonne Bouchee and splurge on a chocolate eclair.  But this 50th celebration is different. On my 50th birthday we sit in the waiting room at the oncologist’s office. We try to distract ourselves by watching Wendy Williams interview the perky Kristin Chenoweth on a small television screen that is mounted to the ceiling. Today, on my birthday, we find out the results of my mom’s bone marrow biopsy. It’s been a rough six months, dealing with a lot of health issues in my family. We are both worn out and tired, wearing stylish capris and bright blue blouses. After all, it’s my 50th birthday.
Continue reading
Meet the STL Cast & Crew of Marshall The Miracle Dog
Not very often does a feel-good movie come along that really pulls at the heartstrings and appeals to children, tweens, and adults with relevant themes, such as bullying, courage, and kindness. Marshall The Miracle Dog is one of those long-awaited family films. Moreover, I’m thrilled to have witnessed the making of this movie, from start to finish. And the best part? I got to be an extra in the restaurant scene, even if you blink you might miss me.
The movie, filmed mostly in Edwardsville and Troy, IL, as well as St. Louis, was as much fun to make as it is to watch. Sure the movie features Hollywood stars like Matthew Settle, Shannon Elizabeth, and Lauren Holly, but many of the cast and crew are originally from St. Louis. Even though most of them have moved to LA to follow their dreams, they all love to come home to their Midwestern roots right here in the Lou.
If you haven’t seen the Marshall movie trailer yet–what are you waiting for? Watch it here!Â
Finally, without further adieu, meet the STL crew and cast of Marshall The Miracle Dog.
Jay Kanzler (Director)
Jay Kanzler directs Lauren Holly and Debbie Pearl, animal trainer.
Continue reading
LTYM Videos Are Up! So Why Am I Reading About My Dog?
The videos from the 2014 season of LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER are now on YouTube! WHOO HOO! We had shows in 32 cities this year, and you can watch the St. Louis production right HERE.
All of our stories cover some aspect of motherhood that might make you laugh or cry or relate to in some way, and hopefully you’ll want to come back next year or event submit your own piece.
And while most of our readers share intimate details about their children, I spill my heart out for my dog. That’s because my toy poodle Luci is my baby, and all you dog lovers out there will know what I’m talking about.
So even though I cringe when I watch myself on video (does my voice really sound that nasally?) I share with you my video on “Mom’s Best Friend Is A Dog.â€
Thank  you T. Rowe Price for sponsoring the release of our 2014 show videos. Watch them all on our LTYM YouTube channel.
Dream Fetchers Deliver Smooches From Movie Star Pooches
The filming of Marshall The Miracle Dog is over, but for many of the famous canines in the movie, their work has just begun.
Their owner Debbie Pearl, founder of the full-service animal company Paws for Effect, hand selects some of her furry friends to visit sick children in hospitals and medical facilities across the country through the nonprofit organization Dream Fetchers, which she started in 2005. The impact that her famous movie dogs have on their fans, especially sick children, is the most rewarding part of her career as a professional dog trainer.  Every time she brings movie star dogs together with children who face life-threatening illnesses…magic happens.
Continue reading
From Rags To Riches, Rescue Dogs Star in Marshall Movie
Max was a sick, emaciated puppy full of bug bites when his owner surrendered him to a shelter in Los Angeles. One year later, this loyal, smart, energetic Yellow Lab played the leading role in the movie “Marshall The Miracle Dog.â€
Max (left) makes friends with Marshall and Ben on movie set.
At only eight weeks old and four pounds, Zeke suffered from a painful skin disease and was minutes away from being euthanized when given a second chance in life. Six months later, this sweet, intelligent Terrier Mix played a part in the hit show “Glee,†appeared in television commercials, and landed his first starring role in the movie “Sox†before joining the Marshall cast.
Zeke
Zeke stars in Hollywood movie.
Wylie was abused and scared when he ended up at the high kill animal shelter in LA County, which was known for having dogs with the contagious Parvo virus. Today, his portfolio includes a national Target commercial and several television shows.
These top dogs are among the incredibly talented canine cast of the soon-to-be-released family film “Marshall The Miracle Dog.†The dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and quirky personalities. But one thing they have in common—they are all rescues. Not only that, some of the lucky dogs participate in a nonprofit program called Dream Fetchers, which brings lovable movie dogs and sick children together for a powerful experience.
The rags to riches stories of these animals are as inspiring as Marshall himself, the real life Yellow Lab who was rescued from an animal hoarder in Missouri in 2010 and was so badly malnourished and injured that he died three times on the operating table, and the veterinarian had to amputate his leg. Today, Marshall travels to schools to encourage children to prevent bullying, never give up, and believe in miracles, an important message that resonates with every adorable pooch in the movie.
