Local Response to the Election

The definition of the cultural mainstream changed forever when our country elected its first African-American president. It’s broader and more inclusive than ever before, and that’s a very good thing for the Jewish community. For the last century, Jews sought success in American life by concealing our ethnic differences. We are now discovering that in order to thrive as a community, we must celebrate our uniqueness and affirm what makes us distinctive. In a country that values every color of the rainbow and affirms each creed, Jewish pride is just one more addition to a rainbow whose appearance has been long overdue.

Rabbi Allen Selis
Head of School
The Solomon Schechter Day School of St. Louis

Dare to be Different: Standing up Against Discrimination

SSDS Hosts Diversity Event in Response to Parkway Incident

In response to the recent incident in the Parkway School District, Solomon Schechter Day School, in partnership with B’nai Amoona and Shaare Shalom religious schools, invited the Jewish community to stand up proudly for diversity at a special event for students and parents on Tuesday, October 28th. “Dare to be Different” highlighted the experiences of many different groups who have faced and overcome discrimination in American life. The program was free and open to the community.

The event included a Youth Program, open to the whole community, grades 5-8: with sessions entitled Don’t Label Me…, Anti-Semitism in America and Taking a Stand. Afterwards, parents participated in an Adult Forum.

Check back on jewishinstlouis.org for more details and photos from this important event.