Sunday Social
Join us in our neighbor’s wonderful backyard for a Sunday Social! Enjoy a drink (alcoholic or non), listen to some live tunes, and spend time with our vibrant community. All are welcome, including children (we’ll have chalk and bubbles)!
RSVP Below:
MaTovu Reading Circle
Join us for our September Reading Circle. This month, we’ll be reading poetry together. Facilitator Clare Kinberg will bring a few poems, but please bring poetry to share. It can be Jewish or High Holy Days related, but other topics are welcome.
Somatic Writing for Autumn & The High Holy Days
MaTovu is excited to partner with Somatic Writing Facilitator Jennifer Campolo to hold a series of (3) workshops (September 15, September 29, and October 13). that will explore themes related to Autumn and the High Holy Days, as well as how we reflect upon these experiences as Jews and non-Jews. These Somatic Writing evenings will guide participants in exploring some of these themes, weaving together poems, guided somatic meditations, and time for personal reflective writing or drawing. You can register below, or learn more at her website https://somatic-writing.com.
Session #2: Monday, September 29, 6:00- 8:00 PM
Reaping, Releasing, & Repairing
Autumn's falling leaves and fruit teach us about letting go and also about harvesting. By connecting to the fullness of harvest season, we clarify what nourishes us, what we're ready to let go of, and what we want to work on repairing.
We read two poems that explore the generosity and goodness of the earth and the complexity of human relationships. In our somatic meditation, we'll bring awareness and gentle touch to our belly, heart, and throat, explore the motions of "yes" and "no" and the relational movements of reaching, grasping, and pulling in.
We'll reaffirm in our writing/drawing what we are saying "yes" to this season and what we are ready to let go of. Alternatively, you can write an imaginary letter to a friend or relative - living or deceased - to invite healing into important relationship in your life.
What to Bring:
Expressive writing/art supplies: Your favorite journal and pen(s), sketchbook, and/or digital device, for writing and/or drawing.
A pillow, cushion, blanket, wrap or scarf, and/or back support. Essentially, bring anything you might like to have on hand to be comfortable and supported in your somatic meditation (the venue will have chairs and tables.)
Cost: Each meeting is on a sliding scale of $15 - $35. Please pay Jennifer directly via Venmo at @ncwriting or another method listed on her site. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. You can pay at the door if you are coming in person.
Sukkah Build & Decorating
Join us on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 11am-2pm to help build and decorate MaTovu’s sukkah at the Botanical Heights Community Garden! All ages welcome. We will have decorations and crafts to help beautify the sukkah. Pizza and refreshments provided!
Torah on Tap
Join MaTovu and Central Reform Congregation for a special Sukkot edition of Torah on Tap! Kohelet insists that life is fleeting, unknowable, without easy meaning. Ecclesiastes ends with an editor trying to tame those questions, to smooth them into something safe. This Sukkot, we'll wrestle with both: the truths that refuse to resolve, and our very human urge to hide behind comforting illusions.
We’ll gather in CRC’s sukkah for this special discussion. While there’s no tap, in the spirit of Torah on Tap we’ll offer a variety of beverages—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Must be 21+ to attend. Come for the drinks, stay for the conversation!
Can’t make this one? No problem! Save the date for our next gathering on Thursday, November 13—details coming soon.
Torah on Tap is a new series where we take meaningful conversation out of the sanctuary and into the pub. Each gathering will explore a different topic through the lens of Torah, guided by Rabbi Daniel Bogard.
Please RSVP below:
Sukkot Shabbat + Potluck
Join MaTovu as we welcome Shabbat together in the sukkah. Service will be followed by a potluck dinner.
Sign up for the potluck here and register below.
Somatic Writing for Autumn & The High Holy Days
MaTovu is excited to partner with Somatic Writing Facilitator Jennifer Campolo to hold a series of (3) workshops (September 15, September 29, and October 13). that will explore themes related to Autumn and the High Holy Days, as well as how we reflect upon these experiences as Jews and non-Jews. These Somatic Writing evenings will guide participants in exploring some of these themes, weaving together poems, guided somatic meditations, and time for personal reflective writing or drawing. You can register below, or learn more at her website https://somatic-writing.com.
Session #3: Monday, October 13 6:00- 8:00 PM
Holding Space, Holding Stories
Historically, a successful harvest included feasts, making offerings, and preparing the surplus crops for the colder months ahead.
In our group, we'll read two poems that connect us to the abundance of the natural world and celebrate the fact that we belong on the earth. Our somatic meditation will be a Nurture Surround, a NeuroAffective Touch technique that encourages calm and containment.
We'll end by taking a "writing journey" together. This is a special guided visualization that is woven together with instruction and time for your body and mind to dialogue -- essentially, opening them up to connect more deeply through what you write, draw, or express.
What to Bring:
Expressive writing/art supplies: Your favorite journal and pen(s), sketchbook, and/or digital device, for writing and/or drawing.
A pillow, cushion, blanket, wrap or scarf, and/or back support. Essentially, bring anything you might like to have on hand to be comfortable and supported in your somatic meditation (the venue will have chairs and tables.)
Cost: Each meeting is on a sliding scale of $15 - $35. Please pay Jennifer directly via Venmo at @ncwriting or another method listed on her site. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. You can pay at the door if you are coming in person.
By The Waters of Paradise Book Launch
MaTovu is thrilled to celebrate the release of By The Waters of Paradise: An American Story of Racism and Rupture in a Jewish Family by MaTovu Builder Clare Kinberg. Join us for a book talk, refreshments, and a chance to purchase the book from Left Bank Books.
By the Waters of Paradise is a riveting family history that paints a startling portrait of racism and antisemitism and the lasting effects across generations. In 2016, author Clare Kinberg discovered her estranged Aunt Rose's death certificate on the internet. What followed was an unearthing of contradictions of what "family" means in a segregated United States. In the 1930s, Rose, an Ashkenazi Jewish woman, married Zebedee Arnwine, an African American man. The Arnwines faced a multitude of barriers due to their interracial marriage, and Rose faced familial and community ostracization for her choice. Her siblings, including Kinberg's father, kept her existence a secret from their children while building a strong sense of family and reinforcing the segregation between Jewish and Black communities. Some eighty years later, Kinberg, whose wife and daughters are descendants of the African diaspora, traced the life and legacy of her aunt. This masterful memoir weaves the genealogical and historical journeys of Rose and Zebedee with discussion of Rose and Kinberg's Jewish ancestry in Romania and Ukraine and investigates their mutual decisions to settle their interracial families in Michigan. By the Waters of Paradise is more than just a memoir—it is a reckoning with racism in a day and age when it is needed more now than ever. “By the Waters of Paradiseis bothan intimate memoir and a history of racism, religion, and politics, Kinberg reveals her aunt’s story with sensitivity. She discovers the jagged intersections of Jewish and Black history in the United States, where white supremacy, Christian nationalism, and capitalism delimited each group’s opportunities in turn—and sometimes in startlingly entangled ways.”—Lila Corwin Berman, professor of history and of Hebrew and Judaic studies, New York University
About the Author: Clare Kinberg is a writer, editor, and activist. She is the publisher and editor of the Washtenaw Jewish News and was the editor of Bridges: A Jewish Feminist Journal from 1989–2011.
Please RSVP below:
Tot Shabbat
Join us for a joyful, kid-friendly Shabbat gathering! We’ll begin with singing and simple Shabbat prayers, then share a cozy potato-themed potluck dinner. All ages are welcome.
We’ll provide hot tater tots with ketchup, challah, and grape juice. You're invited to bring a vegetarian and nut-free topping or side dish to share—cheese, sour cream, chives, salad, or anything else that pairs well with tots.
Schedule:
5:15 PM – Arrive and settle in
5:30 PM – Songs and Shabbat blessings
6:00 PM – Potluck dinner
Friend-Sourced Shabbat
Join us for a different way to welcome Shabbat: a gathering created by those in attendance. You're invited to sign up here to lead the group in something -- you could choose to lead a prayer from the traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service, offer a poem, teach or play a song, share a meditation or some words of Torah... anything that aligns with the spirit of Shabbat. You can also join us without leading anything. Whatever people sign up for is what we will do to welcome Shabbat together.
Please register by Tuesday, September 2 so we can ensure we have the right amount of food.
MaTovu Reading Circle
Join us for our August Reading Circle. We’ll discuss articles on the antisemitism bills that were and will be before the MO legislature. How should we understand — and legislate — antisemitism? All are welcome, whether you have ever been to a Reading Circle event or not. We will send registrants the readings via email.
Ashreinu Shabbat
Join us for joyful davening and dinner to welcome Shabbat! MaTovu is carrying forward Ashreinu’s style of traditional egalitarian Shabbat services.
As usual, we will provide siddurim with full transliteration and translation, as well as a vegetarian dinner, challah, and a little wine/grape juice. You are welcome to bring drinks and desserts to share, if you’d like!
Children are welcome to participate in the service, run around in the back of the room, or use MaTovu’s front conference room (under parent/guardian supervision) to hang out and use our art supplies or bring your own toys to play with.
Schedule:
6:15pm: Arriving + getting settled
6:30pm: Davening starts (Kabbalat Shabbat + Ma'ariv services, aka singing in Hebrew)
7:30pm: Vegetarian dinner
Advance RSVPs are required for this event. Please let us know you’re coming by Tuesday, August 19.
Torah on Tap: The Paradox of Tolerance
Registration for this event is now full. Stay tuned for the next Torah on Tap on Oct. 9!
Join MaTovu and Central Reform Congregation for the launch of Torah on Tap—a new series where we take meaningful conversation out of the sanctuary and into the pub. Each gathering will explore a different topic through the lens of Torah, guided by Rabbi Daniel Bogard.
We’ll kick things off with a discussion on the paradox of tolerance. First round’s on us (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)! Must be 21+ to attend. Come for the drinks, stay for the discussion.
Please register by August 15.
Save the dates! Future gatherings will be held on October 9 and November 13. Location and topics to be announced.
Jews for Food Aid for Gaza Havdalah
Join us at MaTovu as we gather to mark the end of Shabbat with a family friendly Havdalah service and wholesome meal catered by our Palestinian neighbors. Together we will reflect on the week that has passed and the week that is to come, express gratitude for the food we have access to. We will be raising money for the Gaza Soup Kitchen as well as collecting food for our local neighbors who need assistance in the aftermath of the May tornado. See the food drive donation wishlist here. Please RSVP by Thursday, August 14, so we have enough dinner for everyone. Consider signing the Jews for Food Aid petition here and donating to the Gaza Soup Kitchen here.
Ecstatic Dance ft. Grocer
What is Ecstatic Dance?
With dances held all over the world, Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement gathering, with music by a live DJ. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required!
Guidelines:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Guided:
Intro movement workshop
Opening circle
DJ-led music journey
Wind down
Closing circle
Cost:
Sliding scale $10-$25
Schedule:
10:15am – Doors Open
10:30am – Movement workshop (optional)
11am – Opening Circle
11:11am – Ecstatic Dance
12:45pm – Closing Meditation
1pm – Good Day!
FAQ:
I’m interested, but I don’t have much experience dancing, and I’m afraid of looking/feeling uncomfortable.
This is SO normal, and we have these feelings too! Ecstaticdance is about freedom of expression and tapping into the ways our bodies already know how to move! There’s no ‘right” or ‘wrong’ ways to move, and this is a no-judgment zone. We will also offer some light ideas for movement, for anyone who may find that helpful.
What if I can’t participate for the entire time?
We love when folks stay present for the whole dance, but It’s totally ok to sit/rest/observe at anytime! We do hope you will try to arrive by 11am for the opening circle and depart after the closing circle, but we understand scheduling can be difficult!
What do I wear?
Something comfy that makes you feel good! We also recommend wearing layers, so that you can adjust as your body (and the room) heats up or cools down. Also, no shoes on the dance floor, so many people like to wear socks. For those who prefer barefoot, some like to use a fabric tape to prevent blisters. Some people like to bring ear plugs as well.
Do I need to bring a partner? Is this a partner dance?
No! Most people dance ED by themselves as personal self-expression. While some people occasionally engage with other dancers, this is not at all required or expected!
Do I need to be Jewish to participate?
No! MaTovu is an inclusive community space grounded in inclusive Jewish values, with programming geared toward everyone! EcstaticDance is non-denominational and open to anyone interested in dance and experience through movement!
Will COVID vaccinations be required?
We will not be checking vaccination status. However, we strongly encourage all attendees to be up-to-date on boosters and flu shots. Masks are also very welcome at this event!
Kehillah Kids Friday Night Lights Shabbat with CRC
Join Rabbis Karen and Daniel Bogard from Central Reform Congregation and MaTovu for a family-friendly Shabbat service at Tower Grove Park!
Meet at the Concession Picnic Area (4370 Northwest Drive). Please bring a picnic dinner and have children come in clothes that can get wet as we will be playing in the water play area.
We will provide grape juice and challah.
Please RSVP to Yael Portman at RabbinicalAssistant@centralreform.org
Community Tisha B’Av Service
Community Tisha B’Av Service– A Night of Collective Mourning and Music
Collaboration of MaTovu, Central Reform Congregation, United Hebrew Congregation
Join us for a powerful and reflective Tisha B’Av observance as we gather in community to confront and hold the weight of Jewish grief across generations. This year’s service will offer a deeply musical and mournful experience, featuring readings from the Book of Lamentations (Eicha) along with music and teachings from Rabbi Daniel Bogard (Central Reform Congregation), Cantor Shirel Richman (United Hebrew Congregation), poetry and readings from MaTovu Builders, and the Central Reform Congregation house band led by Avi Mazzeo.
We will collectively mourn for the devastations throughout Jewish history, for human suffering, and for the brokenness of the world through ritual, music, and candlelight.
Please arrive early for candle lighting and a simple pre-fast offering of hard boiled eggs. All are welcome.
MaTovu Reading Circle
Join us for our July Reading Circle. We’ll be discussing two short pieces that analyze recent changes in the Jewish community, building on our recent discussions about Peter Beinart’s Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza. All are welcome, whether you have ever been to a Reading Circle event or not. We will send registrants the readings via email.
Community Garage Sale
Join MaTovu and the Young Friends of earthday365 for a community garage sale! Members of either organization can rent a table for just $5 to sell items they no longer need—and keep 100% of the proceeds. We’re also welcoming neighbors and the general public to stop by, shop around, and score some secondhand treasures!
Our neighbors in Botanical Heights are also invited to host garage sales at their own homes that morning, making this a neighborhood-wide event you won’t want to miss.
Want to sell?
Register for a table here: Garage Sale Table Registration Form
Space is limited. Completing the form does not guarantee a table. Confirmations will be sent by July 12.
Garden Shabbat
Location: Hidden Alley Ranch
Behind 2366 Lawrence St, St. Louis, MO 63110
Join us for an off-site Shabbat full of sensory delights. We’ll bring in Shabbat amidst the scents and sights of flowers and plants, say the traditional blessings with an added element of mindful eating, and end the evening with the warmth of a bonfire.
We will provide the prayers, a guided mindfulness practice, challah, some wine/grape juice, and s’mores fixings. Please bring a vegetarian potluck dish to share (and your bugspray!)
Children are welcome to participate and run around the garden—there’s a great tree house!
We recommend walking, biking, or carpooling and parking on a surrounding street (Magnolia, S. 39th, Lawrence, or Botanical Ave).
Schedule:
7:00 pm: Arriving + getting settled
7:15 pm: Prayers and Mindfulness
7:45 pm: We eat!
8:45 pm: Bonfire
Advance RSVPs are recommended for this event.
Board Game Happy Hour
Join us for an evening of games, snacks, and community. Community member Clare Kinberg will be teaching MahJong, and you're welcome to BYOBG (bring your own board game) to share with the group. Feel free to bring snacks or drinks. we’ll also have light refreshments on hand. All are welcome!
Ecstatic Dance ft. Grocer
What is Ecstatic Dance?
With dances held all over the world, Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement gathering, with music by a live DJ. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required!
Guidelines:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Guided:
Intro movement workshop
Opening circle
DJ-led music journey
Wind down
Closing circle
Cost:
Sliding scale $10-$25
Schedule:
10:15am – Doors Open
10:30am – Movement workshop (optional)
11am – Opening Circle
11:11am – Ecstatic Dance
12:45pm – Closing Meditation
1pm – Good Day!
FAQ:
I’m interested, but I don’t have much experience dancing, and I’m afraid of looking/feeling uncomfortable.
This is SO normal, and we have these feelings too! Ecstaticdance is about freedom of expression and tapping into the ways our bodies already know how to move! There’s no ‘right” or ‘wrong’ ways to move, and this is a no-judgment zone. We will also offer some light ideas for movement, for anyone who may find that helpful.
What if I can’t participate for the entire time?
We love when folks stay present for the whole dance, but It’s totally ok to sit/rest/observe at anytime! We do hope you will try to arrive by 11am for the opening circle and depart after the closing circle, but we understand scheduling can be difficult!
What do I wear?
Something comfy that makes you feel good! We also recommend wearing layers, so that you can adjust as your body (and the room) heats up or cools down. Also, no shoes on the dance floor, so many people like to wear socks. For those who prefer barefoot, some like to use a fabric tape to prevent blisters. Some people like to bring ear plugs as well.
Do I need to bring a partner? Is this a partner dance?
No! Most people dance ED by themselves as personal self-expression. While some people occasionally engage with other dancers, this is not at all required or expected!
Do I need to be Jewish to participate?
No! MaTovu is an inclusive community space grounded in inclusive Jewish values, with programming geared toward everyone! EcstaticDance is non-denominational and open to anyone interested in dance and experience through movement!
Will COVID vaccinations be required?
We will not be checking vaccination status. However, we strongly encourage all attendees to be up-to-date on boosters and flu shots. Masks are also very welcome at this event!
Estate Planning Info Session
Community resiliency takes planning - and that includes preparing for the end of life. Join us in learning about estate planning from lawyer Dan Julius! This is an opportunity to find out more about the process of getting key documents in order like trusts, wills and power of attorney. Light snacks will be served.
MaTovu Reading Circle
MaTovu Reading Circle
Saturday, June 28, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for the next session of the MaTovu Reading Circle, co-led by Clare Kinberg and Paul Sorenson. We’ll continue our discussion of Peter Beinart’s Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza. It’s a short and powerful book, and we’ll be focusing on the second half during this session. Source sheets will be available with key passages and discussion questions so everyone can engage, even if you haven’t had a chance to finish the reading.
Save the date for our upcoming session:
July 26: We’ll take stock of Beinart’s work and consider what kind of conversation we want to build from here. This may also lead into a future event with Beinart himself, in person or via Zoom—stay tuned.
This series builds on last fall’s Reading Circle with Ben Lorber and Safety Through Solidarity. Each session is open to anyone interested in the reading or topic.
Embodied Shabbat: Movement and Meditation
In this 1-hour movement and meditation class Lizzie will guide participants through simple meditation techniques, gentle stretching, embodied energy practices, and deep rest as a way to slow down, reconnect with body and heart, and receive from the spiritual and energetic gifts of Sabbath. Come ready to slow down and drop in with yourself, and leave feeling self-connected, rested, and renewed for a wonderful Shabbat.
Your facilitator: Lizzie Salsich is group facilitator with over ten years’ experience guiding folks skilfully and compassionately into their bodies and hearts via somatic practice, song, and ceremony. She is also a skilled spiritual companion, holding intimate space for folks to follow their own thread of inner unfolding in relationship to the Divine.
Please bring a yoga mat and 1-2 blankets.
Garden Workday + Bagels
Stop by MaTovu on Saturday, June 14 between 9am-12pm to help with some tasks in our garden, and enjoy some bagels and coffee!
Gloves, a trowel, and/or a garden rake will be helpful if you have them. We are also in need of cardboard to use as a weed barrier under mulch.
Please RSVP so we know how many bagels to get.
Ashreinu Shabbat
Join us for joyful davening and dinner to welcome Shabbat! MaTovu is carrying forward Ashreinu’s style of traditional egalitarian Shabbat services.
As usual, we will provide siddurim with full transliteration and translation, as well as a vegetarian dinner, challah, and a little wine/grape juice. You are welcome to bring drinks and desserts to share, if you’d like!
Children are welcome to participate in the service, run around in the back of the room, or use MaTovu’s front conference room (under parent/guardian supervision) to hang out and use our art supplies or bring your own toys to play with.
Schedule:
6:15pm: Arriving + getting settled
6:30pm: Davening starts (Kabbalat Shabbat + Ma'ariv services, aka singing in Hebrew)
7:30pm: Vegetarian dinner
Advance RSVPs are required for this event. Please let us know you’re coming by Tuesday, June 10.
Yiddish Ecstatic Dance ft. DJ Chaia
Yiddish Ecstatic Dance with DJ Chaia
Monday, June 10, 2025
6:15 PM – 8:45 PM
MaTovu is thrilled to welcome Chaia for a very special Ecstatic Dance centered on traditional Yiddish music adapted to modern dance rhythms. Yiddish music is the traditional and ancestral music of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish communities and is most often seen in the form of klezmer music.
We’ll begin the night with an opening movement workshop with instruction in simple Yiddish dances. After warming up with the music and movement, DJ Chaia will take us on a dance journey melding ancestral Jewish tradition with modern beats.
This is a radically inclusive event. No prior experience of any kind—dance, Judaism, Yiddish, or otherwise—is required. Just bring an open heart and mind.
About the artist: Chaia (pronounced “hi-ya” with a bit more phlegm in the H) is a DJ and music producer based in NYC who combines Yiddish archival samples and dance music vibes to create folkloric music that grooves to a modern beat. She has performed at Jewish cultural spaces worldwide and was named one of Jewish Week’s 36 to Watch in 2024. More about her work at chaia.online.
What is Ecstatic Dance?
Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement gathering with live DJ music. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required. There are three simple rules:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Sliding scale: $10–$40
Schedule:
6:15 PM – Doors Open
6:30 PM – Movement Workshop
7:00 PM – Opening Circle
8:30 PM – Closing Meditation
8:45 PM – Good night!
FAQ highlights:
No prior dance experience needed.
It’s okay to sit or rest at any time.
Wear something comfortable; no shoes on the dance floor.
You don’t need a partner—most people dance solo.
Open to everyone regardless of background.
COVID vaccinations not required, but boosters and masks encouraged.
MaTovu Reading Circle
MaTovu Reading Circle
Saturday, May 31, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Join us for the next session of the MaTovu Reading Circle, co-led by Clare Kinberg and Paul Sorenson. We’ll begin our discussion of Peter Beinart’s Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza. It’s a short and powerful book, and we’ll be focusing on the first half during this session. Source sheets will be available with key passages and discussion questions so everyone can engage, even if you haven’t had a chance to finish the reading.
Save the date for our upcoming sessions:
June 28: We’ll continue discussing Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza
July 26: We’ll take stock of Beinart’s work and consider what kind of conversation we want to build from here. This may also lead into a future event with Beinart himself, in person or via Zoom—stay tuned.
This series builds on last fall’s Reading Circle with Ben Lorber and Safety Through Solidarity. Each session is open to anyone interested in the reading or topic.
Our friends at Central Reform Congregation are also hosting a discussion of Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza on Saturday, May 10 after Shabbat services. More information and registration is available at centralreform.org.
Embodied Shabbat: Movement and Meditation
In this 1-hour movement and meditation class Lizzie will guide participants through simple meditation techniques, gentle stretching, embodied energy practices, and deep rest as a way to slow down, reconnect with body and heart, and receive from the spiritual and energetic gifts of Sabbath. Come ready to slow down and drop in with yourself, and leave feeling self-connected, rested, and renewed for a wonderful Shabbat.
Your facilitator: Lizzie Salsich is group facilitator with over ten years’ experience guiding folks skilfully and compassionately into their bodies and hearts via somatic practice, song, and ceremony. She is also a skilled spiritual companion, holding intimate space for folks to follow their own thread of inner unfolding in relationship to the Divine.
Please bring a yoga mat and 1-2 blankets.
Ecstatic Dance ft. DJ Jillian
What is Ecstatic Dance?
With dances held all over the world, Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement gathering, with music by a live DJ. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required!
Guidelines:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Guided:
Intro movement workshop
Opening circle
DJ-led music journey
Wind down
Closing circle
Cost:
Sliding scale $10-$25
Schedule:
10:15am – Doors Open
10:30am – Movement workshop (optional)
11am – Opening Circle
11:11am – Ecstatic Dance
12:45pm – Closing Meditation
1pm – Good Day!
FAQ:
I’m interested, but I don’t have much experience dancing, and I’m afraid of looking/feeling uncomfortable.
This is SO normal, and we have these feelings too! Ecstaticdance is about freedom of expression and tapping into the ways our bodies already know how to move! There’s no ‘right” or ‘wrong’ ways to move, and this is a no-judgment zone. We will also offer some light ideas for movement, for anyone who may find that helpful.
What if I can’t participate for the entire time?
We love when folks stay present for the whole dance, but It’s totally ok to sit/rest/observe at anytime! We do hope you will try to arrive by 11am for the opening circle and depart after the closing circle, but we understand scheduling can be difficult!
What do I wear?
Something comfy that makes you feel good! We also recommend wearing layers, so that you can adjust as your body (and the room) heats up or cools down. Also, no shoes on the dance floor, so many people like to wear socks. For those who prefer barefoot, some like to use a fabric tape to prevent blisters. Some people like to bring ear plugs as well.
Do I need to bring a partner? Is this a partner dance?
No! Most people dance ED by themselves as personal self-expression. While some people occasionally engage with other dancers, this is not at all required or expected!
Do I need to be Jewish to participate?
No! MaTovu is an inclusive community space grounded in inclusive Jewish values, with programming geared toward everyone! EcstaticDance is non-denominational and open to anyone interested in dance and experience through movement!
Will COVID vaccinations be required?
We will not be checking vaccination status. However, we strongly encourage all attendees to be up-to-date on boosters and flu shots. Masks are also very welcome at this event!
Tot Shabbat
Join us for a joyful, kid-friendly Shabbat gathering! We’ll begin with singing and simple Shabbat prayers, then share a cozy potato-themed potluck dinner. All ages are welcome.
We’ll provide hot tater tots with ketchup, challah, and grape juice. You're invited to bring a vegetarian and nut-free topping or side dish to share—cheese, sour cream, chives, salad, or anything else that pairs well with tots.
Schedule:
5:15 PM – Arrive and settle in
5:30 PM – Songs and Shabbat blessings
6:00 PM – Potluck dinner
Shabbat Service with Rabbi Abi Weber
Join us for a Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv service led by Rabbi Abi Weber, Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Zion–Beth Israel (BZBI) in Philadelphia. The service will last about an hour and include lots of singing and a brief word about the week’s Torah portion.
Please feel free to bring (nut-free) snacks or food for a potluck after the service!
Mimouna Celebration: Sweet Treats and Songs
Join us for a festive Mimouna celebration marking the end of Passover with Sephardi and Mizrahi joy, music, and tradition. We'll begin at 6:30 PM with a special Moroccan blessing, featuring a ritual of mint and buttermilk on the forehead and eating dates with butter. Enjoy Sephardi and Mizrahi sweets, music, and decorations.
Avi Mazzeo and David Lazaroff will lead a Sephardic song circle, inviting everyone to sing along. Free with registration – all are welcome.
SOLD OUT: An Inclusive Humanist Passover
Our seder is sold out. Wishing you a chag sameach Pesach.
Ecstatic Dance + Picnic
Join us for a very special Ecstatic Dance + picnic, in celebration of Michael R's birthday! We're going to build the playlist together, dance our hearts out, and then break bread together. Here's how it works:
1. Register below. (We may face capacity limits, so walk-ins are not guaranteed). We're doing this one as a fundraiser, and all admission fees will be donated to St. Louis Public Radio.
2. Those who register will be emailed a link to the shared Spotify playlist, along with some guidance.
3. Submit 1-2 tracks that you'd like to dance to
4. Show up on April 5 by 11am (no movement workshop this time!) Bring your own food for the picnic (you can use our fridge, if needed)
5. Join us for a picnic at the Botanical Heights Community Garden (4060 Folsom Ave) immediately following!
What is Ecstatic Dance?
With dances held all over the world, Ecstatic Dance is a free-form movement gathering, with music by a live DJ. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required!
Guidelines:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Schedule:
10:30am – Doors Open
11am – Opening Circle
11:11am – Ecstatic Dance
12:45pm – Closing Meditation
1pm – Walk to picnic!
FAQ:
I’m interested, but I don’t have much experience dancing, and I’m afraid of looking/feeling uncomfortable.
This is SO normal, and we have these feelings too! Ecstaticdance is about freedom of expression and tapping into the ways our bodies already know how to move! There’s no ‘right” or ‘wrong’ ways to move, and this is a no-judgment zone. We will also offer some light ideas for movement, for anyone who may find that helpful.
What if I can’t participate for the entire time?
We love when folks stay present for the whole dance, but It’s totally ok to sit/rest/observe at anytime! We do hope you will try to arrive by 11am for the opening circle and depart after the closing circle, but we understand scheduling can be difficult!
What do I wear?
Something comfy that makes you feel good! We also recommend wearing layers, so that you can adjust as your body (and the room) heats up or cools down. Also, no shoes on the dance floor, so many people like to wear socks. For those who prefer barefoot, some like to use a fabric tape to prevent blisters. Some people like to bring ear plugs as well.
Do I need to bring a partner? Is this a partner dance?
No! Most people dance ED by themselves as personal self-expression. While some people occasionally engage with other dancers, this is not at all required or expected!
Do I need to be Jewish to participate?
No! MaTovu is an inclusive community space grounded in inclusive Jewish values, with programming geared toward everyone! EcstaticDance is non-denominational and open to anyone interested in dance and experience through movement!
Will COVID vaccinations be required?
We will not be checking vaccination status. However, we strongly encourage all attendees to be up-to-date on boosters and flu shots. Masks are also very welcome at this event!
Ashreinu Shabbat
Join us for joyful davening and dinner to welcome Shabbat! MaTovu is carrying forward Ashreinu’s style of traditional egalitarian Shabbat services.
We will provide siddurim with full transliteration and translation, as well as a vegetarian dinner, challah, and a little wine/grape juice. You are welcome to bring drinks and desserts to share, if you’d like!
Children are welcome to participate in the service, run around in the back of the room, or hang out in MaTovu’s front conference room to hang out and use our art supplies or bring your own toys to play with.
Schedule:
6:15pm: Arriving + getting settled
6:30pm: Davening starts (Kabbalat Shabbat + Ma'ariv services, aka singing in Hebrew)
7:30pm: Vegetarian dinner
Advance RSVPs are required for this event. Please let us know you’re coming by April 1. If you would like to make a small donation to contribute toward dinner, go to matovustl.org/donate.
Would you like to help lead a future Shabbat service like this one? Please let us know! Email Charlie at hello@matovustl.org.
Embodied Shabbat: Movement and Meditation
In this 1-hour movement and meditation class Lizzie will guide participants through simple meditation techniques, gentle stretching, embodied energy practices, and deep rest as a way to slow down, reconnect with body and heart, and receive from the spiritual and energetic gifts of Sabbath. Come ready to slow down and drop in with yourself, and leave feeling self-connected, rested, and renewed for a wonderful Shabbat.
Your facilitator: Lizzie Salsich is group facilitator with over ten years’ experience guiding folks skilfully and compassionately into their bodies and hearts via somatic practice, song, and ceremony. She is also a skilled spiritual companion, holding intimate space for folks to follow their own thread of inner unfolding in relationship to the Divine.
Please bring a yoga mat and 1-2 blankets
This program is funded through the Jewish Federation’ s Mental Health & Well-Being Grant. If you would like to make a donation to MaTovu, visit matovustl.org/donate.
Ecstatic Dance
What is Ecstatic Dance?
With dances held all over the world, EcstaticDance is a free-form movement gathering, with music by a live DJ. It’s open to all, and no dance experience is required!
Guidelines:
No shoes
No alcohol/drugs
No talking on the dance floor
Guided:
Intro movement workshop
Opening circle
DJ-led music journey
Wind down
Closing circle
Cost:
Sliding scale $10-$25
Schedule:
10:15am – Doors Open
10:30am – Movement workshop (optional)
11am – Opening Circle
11:11am – EcstaticDance
12:45pm – Closing Meditation
1pm – Good Day!
FAQ:
I’m interested, but I don’t have much experience dancing, and I’m afraid of looking/feeling uncomfortable.
This is SO normal, and we have these feelings too! Ecstaticdance is about freedom of expression and tapping into the ways our bodies already know how to move! There’s no ‘right” or ‘wrong’ ways to move, and this is a no-judgment zone. We will also offer some light ideas for movement, for anyone who may find that helpful.
What if I can’t participate for the entire time?
We love when folks stay present for the whole dance, but It’s totally ok to sit/rest/observe at anytime! We do hope you will try to arrive by 11am for the opening circle and depart after the closing circle, but we understand scheduling can be difficult!
What do I wear?
Something comfy that makes you feel good! We also recommend wearing layers, so that you can adjust as your body (and the room) heats up or cools down. Also, no shoes on the dance floor, so many people like to wear socks. For those who prefer barefoot, some like to use a fabric tape to prevent blisters. Some people like to bring ear plugs as well.
Do I need to bring a partner? Is this a partner dance?
No! Most people dance ED by themselves as personal self-expression. While some people occasionally engage with other dancers, this is not at all required or expected!
Do I need to be Jewish to participate?
No! MaTovu is an inclusive community space grounded in inclusive Jewish values, with programming geared toward everyone! EcstaticDance is non-denominational and open to anyone interested in dance and experience through movement!
Will COVID vaccinations be required?
We will not be checking vaccination status. However, we strongly encourage all attendees to be up-to-date on boosters and flu shots. Masks are also very welcome at this event!
MaTovu evaluates the events it hosts based on our Values and Code of Conduct.