Blog

We joined Temple Israel through a series of meaningful encounters and connections with Rabbi Amy. It all began in Curacao, which now feels like a distant memory. During our time there, Rabbi Amy officiated the wedding of my brother and sister-in-law, Morgan and Matt Meyers. We were impressed by her warmth, wisdom, and the special touch she brought to the ceremony. 

As we got to know Rabbi Amy better, we felt a strong bond with her. In 2012, we asked Rabbi Amy if she would marry us, and from that moment, we knew that Temple Israel would be our spiritual home once we moved back to St. Louis. Three years later, in 2015, we relocated from Washington DC to St. Louis and joined Temple Israel shortly after settling in. 

Our connection with Rabbi Amy deepened even further when she presided over our daughter Emma's baby naming ceremony. It was another beautiful and significant milestone that she shared with us as an honorary member of our family. 

Throughout these special events and many more, Rabbi Amy has become an integral part of our lives. We are grateful to have found her and Temple Israel. 

Our ongoing connection with Temple Israel continued with our daughter's enrollment in TI’s Deutsch Early Childhood Center (DECC) shortly after her baby naming ceremony. Through DECC, our daughter had the opportunity to grow her Jewish identity, and she developed a strong affinity for the center's activities. Her favorite moments revolved around Shabbat song sessions led by the one and only Rabbi Amy. These experiences fostered a sense of joy and connection to Judaism that continues to resonate with our family. 

In 2017, our son Jacob was born, and once again, Rabbi Amy played a special role in our family's milestones by presiding over his bris. This further strengthened our bond with Temple Israel and reinforced the significance of the community in our lives.

Following in his sister's footsteps, Jacob began attending preschool at DECC. Our children have come to eagerly anticipate the moments when they get to see Rabbi Amy at Sunday School or walking around the neighborhood, viewing her as a local celebrity. Her presence and influence have made a lasting impression on them, deepening their connection to Temple Israel. 

Overall, it is the enriching experiences provided by DECC and the enduring support and guidance from Rabbi Amy that continue to connect our family to Temple Israel. The sense of belonging, shared traditions, and personal relationships make Temple Israel a truly special place that nurtures our children's Jewish identity. We look forward to celebrating many more simchas with the Rabbis and the Temple Israel community. 

We're here for your best days, for each of life's milestones, and many, many celebrations. We're here for the worst days - the inevitable ones filled with fear, sadness, or loss. It's our honor to be here for you on those occasions and for every moment in between.

Please consider making a gift to TI's High Holy Days appeal to help ensure that we can be here for families in the year to come!

www.ti-stl.org/Giving 

Donations through October 31. All donors will be recognized in TI's Annual Report and winter Dateline bulletin.