Blog Test - WIP

Larry has been a member of B’nai Amoona for almost his entire life.  When he and his family moved to St. Louis when he was young, his parents joined the Congregation and they have remained members and involved ever since.  Larry celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with Rabbi Lipnick and joined the Men’s Choir with a friend after Cantor Lissek heard him practicing his portion. Larry lovingly recalls the many services he attended over the years and appreciates that he knows all of the prayers and hymns because of that experience. Although the music and choir have continued to evolve over the years, some of Larry’s favorite tunes are the “oldies but goodies.” 

Larry met his wife Joyce and the two married at B’nai Amoona and raised both of their children, Lilly and Sam at the Shul. Both of their children celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah at our Congregation and through their activities, Larry and Joyce have continued to be involved. Along with Joyce, Larry formed and helped revitalize The Inclusion Committee to bring awareness of the varying needs of our members and make changes to accommodate those needs to our Congregation. The many initiatives B’nai Amoona has adopted and implemented is the result of their team’s hard work and dedication.

Although Larry spent most of his professional life in the shoe manufacturing business, he retired from that career 5 years ago and began his own consulting practice helping individuals with disabilities and their families. As such, he has built a practice focused on advocacy for a wide variety of disabilities at all stages of life.  He has formed a network of support that includes government agencies, community providers, and private sources. Larry finds this work rewarding and volunteers in a number of professional organizations that are related to his advocacy practice.

Upon reflecting about his most favorite aspect of membership, Larry describes the feeling when he is standing before the Ark during the chanting of Eytz Chayim because this moment of prayer, with his family, is one that represents the history of his family at the Shul. Larry described that the combination of the traditional tune, having his family sharing the experience with him, and feeling the spiritual presence of God is one that keeps him connected.  

Larry is smart, friendly and although progressive in his thinking, he is very much tied to the traditions that he experienced growing up at B’nai Amoona.