ST. LOUIS - TelAve -- How can you repair the world, finding one spark at a time? This October 2-6, the St. Louis Jewish Community Center (the J) will help young children and families across St. Louis explore that question through Birthday of the World, an immersive theatrical experience inspired by the beloved PJ Library book by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen.

Based on Jewish folklore, Birthday of the World tells the story of how the world was born and how it needs our help to be filled with light again. Through gentle storytelling, visual wonder, and sensory play, the production invites young audiences to step inside the story to discover how we can help repair the world.

Written and directed by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman and originally produced by Atlanta's Alliance Theatre in 2025, the production is particularly timely as the Jewish community celebrates the High Holidays and welcomes a new year.

"I'm so excited to bring Birthday of the World to communities across St. Louis," said Chapman. "As we mark the Jewish New Year and imagine what we want the world to become, it feels especially meaningful to share a story about finding the light in ourselves and one another and discovering how each of us can help repair the world by filling it with light again."

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The J feels that this experience is important to share with young Jewish community members throughout the St. Louis.

The St. Louis presentation of Birthday of the World is led by the J in partnership with PJ Library, local early childhood centers, synagogues, and the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, and are additionally hosted at Metro Theatre and MaTovu. The performances are made possible by the Saul Brodsky Education Resource Fund and the Weil Interfaith Inclusion & Engagement Mini Grants through the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.

Public Performances

Friday, October 2 | 5 p.m.
The J in Creve Coeur, 2 Millstone Campus Drive
Open to the public | $5
Tickets: Showpass (https://www.showpass.com/birthdayoftheworld)

Saturday, October 3 | 9:30 a.m.
Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Rd.
Open to the public
RSVP: Shaare Emeth (https://sestl.org/events/birthday-of-the-world/)

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Saturday, October 3 | 3 p.m.
Metro Theatre, 3311 Washington Ave.
Open to the public
Website: Metro Theatre (https://www.metroplays.org/)

Sunday, October 4 | 3 p.m.
MaTovu, 4200 Blaine Ave.
Open to the public
RSVP: MaTovu (https://www.matovustl.org/events/2026/birthdayo...)

Monday, October 5 | 4 p.m.
Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Rd.
Open to the public
Tickets: Showpass (http://www.showpass.com/birthdayoftheworld2?utm...)