Blog

When we were stuck at home in 2020, it dawned on me that my kids were missing a religious education, so we joined TI, which seemed like such a good place for my interfaith family. I was so right. This place has become such an important part of our family with my youngest in DECC, my middle child spending hours here every Sunday at Religious & Hebrew School, and my oldest with his weekly tutoring appointments and meetings with Rabbi Amy & Rabbi Michael as he studies to become a Bar Mitzvah.

I never had a Bat Mitzvah. Being raised by an Israeli father, he felt that it was unnecessary. And as a 12-year-old with a summer birthday, the thought of spending another summer in Israel away from all my friends was entirely unappealing (I know! Please forgive me, I was 12.) But as I am writing this, my oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah is just a few weeks away, and as I’ve told many friends, this is definitely my most Jewish year yet. Seeing the process as an adult, helping my son learn the prayers, listening to him practice, and attending many more Shabbat services than I usually do so that he can meet the requirements has been amazing in so many ways. But mostly, it has given us a way to connect through Judaism, and I cannot underscore how valuable this has been to both of us. 

I am really in it over here at Temple Israel! Not only is this my place for Judaism, but I also work here, too. My first role was as the front desk greeter where I answered all phone calls, and more recently, I’ve taken on a new position as Community Engagement Coordinator. In this role, we may connect in one of many ways: I send out reminders to Temple members to remember their loved ones through a Yahrzeit or to set up a perpetual memorial, I call or bring a treat to seniors age 90 or better to celebrate a birthday, I help callers register for a program or a class, and I manage the process of engraving leaves on TI’s Celebration Tree to commemorate simchas. 

If you see me around town at a choir concert at the Mirowitz Center, in line at Protzel’s Deli picking up a babka to celebrate a member's special birthday, or welcoming guests at a Senior Lunch, please say hello! Continue to show me photos of your children and adorable grandkids or share with me your favorite recipes. I love connecting a face to a name, and I would love to get to know you and each of our members, hear your stories, and celebrate your simchas.

Rachel Leonard
Community Engagement Coordinator
rleonard@ti-stl.org
314-432-8050

This article is from TI's winter Dateline. Read the full Dateline edition here.