Pamper Yourself At Spa For The Soul
Mother’s Day may be over, but the upcoming Spa for the Soul is like a gift that keeps on giving. On Sunday, May 18, 5-8 p.m., join us for an evening  that is all about YOU!
The third annual Spa for the Soul, which takes place at The Butterfly House, 15193 Olive Blvd. in Chesterfield, brings together Jewish Women of all ages and backgrounds to learn, laugh, experience and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. The program includes mini massages, raffles, boutiques, and entertainment. Also, participants can take advantage of fun workshops, such as, Israeli dancing, Kabbalah of relaxation, and floral arrangements.
“The evening is dedicated to making women feel special and pampered, from the minute the program starts until it ends. Everyone will be handed a bubbly drink right when they arrive, and they will receive hand and shoulder massages, while relaxing music is being played. Before dinner is served, we will pass out warm, scented face and hand towels so our guests feel like royalty. We’ve planned a lot more surprises sure to make for the night memorable and worthwhile,†says Chanala Rubenfeld, Co-Director Chabad of Chesterfield.
Warm washcloths pamper the skin.
Of course, anyone who knows Chanala, mom of six boys, knows that when she throws a party, the food is always spectacular and an event in itself. The menu includes grilled chicken skewers, garlic knots, deli twirls, grilled veggies, hummus dip, dill dip, ratatouille salad, mini quiches, raspberry walnut salad, tri colored salad, grilled corn, and more. The gourmet dessert buffet tempts the tastebuds with chocolate mouse cake, date balls, moca mousse, and more, so wear an elastic waistband!
Here’s a peek from last year’s Spa for Soul decadence:
Gourmet desserts tempt the tastebuds.
Mimosas anyone?
Besides the decadent food, the other highlight of the evening is the guest speaker, Miriam Lipskier who is the co-founder and director of the Chabad Student Center at Emory University. This sought-after educator and mom of six children from Atlanta has led teen and adult education programs in Israel, Moscow, South Africa, and the United States. She will entertain and inspire the audience with her presentation on “I Am A Jewish Woman…Hear Me ROAR.â€Â Watch this dynamic speaker here!
Renowned Educator and Speaker Miriam Lipskier.
On top of all the food, activities, pampering, and inspirational learning, no one goes home empty handed! Â In fact, you might win one of the fabulous door prizes that include airline tickets, gym memberships, Cardinals baseball tickets, challah delivery for a year, jewelry and so much more.
So hurry, space is limited! Please resister by Friday so Chanala knows how much food to prepare. Tickets also are available at the door.
To RSVP  and for more info, go to www.ChabadOfChesterfield.com/spa or call 636.778.4000.
Ellie & Debbie indulge in last year’s Spa for the Soul.
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Celebrate Motherhood The Month of May
What’s better than Mother’s Day? How about Mother’s Month? Seriously, I’m considering petitioning Hallmark to officially expand this national holiday for the entire month of May. Who’s with me?
St. Louis women can celebrate motherhood with a variety of exciting events and activities that stretch beyond that single Sunday in May.
Mark your calendars and get ready for some serious fun:
Mama-palooza
Thursday, May 2, 7-9 p.m.
 The Crescent in Clayton, 155 Carondelet Plaza
The month of May kicks off with Mama-Palooza, featuring former St. Louisan Melissa Gerststein, co-founder of The Moms, and the hilarious  New York Times bestselling author Jill Smokler, “Scary Mommy†blogger, who is stopping here on her whirlwind book tour of her newest release, “Motherhood Comes Naturally (and other vicious lies).â€
Leave it to the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) to host a Girl’s Night Out that brings us together for nibbles and giggles, while raising money to help local children. You’re invited to nosh on drinks and appetizers, win prizes, and laugh at the parenting sagas of these two famous funny ladies, while benefiting NCJW’s Back-to-School Store, which provides school supplies and new clothing to 4,000 elementary and middle schoolers in eight area public schools and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.
RSVP:  www.ncjwstl.org or call 314-993-5181.
Spa for The Soul
Sunday, May 5, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m
The Chesterfield Art Center, 444 Chesterfield Center, Suite 130
 
The Jewish Women’s Chai Circle hosts the second annual Spa for the Soul, featuring the ultimate day of pampering. Guests will enjoy mini mani-pedis, massages, health and beauty demos, crafts, raffles, a delicious kosher brunch, and so much more. The highlight of the event is a laughter therapy workshop led by stand-up comedian and actress Esther Rachel Russell, who will show us why laughter is the best medicine. Russell began her improvisational comedy career at the famous Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, where she wrote and performed in comedy sketches with the “Saturday Night Live†comedy stars.
Founder and artistic director of the all-female comedy improve troupe, “Woman Gone Mad,†Russell has performed in the acclaimed off Broadway comedy, “A Match made in Manhattan-The Interactive Jewish Wedding.”
See you at the spa, and get ready to feel beautiful inside and out.
RSVP: Â www.ChabadofChesterfield.com/spa or call 636 778 4000.
Listen To Your Mother
Saturday, May 11, Showtimes 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
St. Luke’s Institute for Health Education

232 South Woods Mill Road
This special Mother’s Day celebration is not to be missed, and I’m not just saying that because I’m co-producing/directing the inaugural show in St. Louis. Listen To Your Mother St. Louis, which is held on the Saturday before Mother’s Day, is part of a national series of live readings that features some of our area’s most talented writers and bloggers, as well as everyday people who have an amazing story to share. Proudly, St. Louis is one of 24 cities across the country to host a production that is produced, directed, and performed by local communities for local communities.
Fifty percent of our ticket sales benefit Connections to Success (CtS), a local nonprofit organization that helps break the cycle of poverty through hope, resources, and a plan. CtS will be at the show with their Mystique Boutique, a mobile upscale shop that sells designer clothing and accessories to raise money for their programs.
I promise, you will laugh, you will cry, you will be transformed by this national movement that gives moms a microphone. Our show also features refreshments, live jazz music, prizes, shopping, and more surprises. Plus, Virginia Kerr, of Great Day St. Louis, is our emcee, so you don’t want to miss out. Bring your family and friends, and start a new Mother’s Day tradition in St Louis.
RSVP: go to www.listentoyourmothershow.com/stlouis or send me a note.
Also worth mentioning…Spring is in the air, and the Lou has plenty of outdoor fun, too. For example:
Laumeier Art Fair is a nationally acclaimed fine art and craft fair at Laumeier Sculpture Park, one of the world’s premier open-air museums. This popular annual event, which is held on Mother’s Day weekend, features creative and original works of art from 150 artists from across the country, not to mention food, drink, and musical entertainment.
For an old-fashioned good time with your family, visit Eckert’s and enjoy strawberry picking, wagon and pony rides, live entertainment,  and, of course, festival foods like funnel cakes and frozen custard.
If beer is your choice of beverage, the St. Louis Microfest is for you. This premiere event offers samples of international and craft beers, live music, silent auction, and plenty of food to make you thirsty for a cold brew. Profits benefit Lift For Life Gym, which provides supervised and safe activities for children eight to 18 years old, five evenings a week, all free of charge.
Got a green thumb? Shaw Nature Reserve and several nurseries from throughout the area will offer hundreds of varieties of annual and perennial wildflowers, ferns, trees and shrubs to use in home landscaping and to attract wildlife. The sale will feature the showiest and hardiest native plants for sun or shade, including purple coneflower, butterfly milkweed, blazing star, dwarf crested iris, cardinal flower, compass plant, wild phlox, ostrich fern, bottle-brush buckeye, fringe tree and short-leaf pine.
And for all us dog lovers, the annual Bark in the Park promises a day of fun for both dogs and their owners. As the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Humane Society of Missouri, this annual festival features a one-mile pet walk and 5K run in Forest Park. After you work up a sweat, enjoy a full day of entertainment and favorite foods like funnel cakes, kettle corn and fresh squeezed lemonade.
Enjoy your Mother’s Day Month! You deserve it!
