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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Joined by his wife, Aliza, Menachem Begin casts his ballot in the 1977 Knesset election, won by his Likud party. Photo: Ya’acov Sa’ar, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

This week in Israeli History: May 14-20

Published May 14, 2024

May 14, 1947 — Soviet Envoy Backs 1-State Solution Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko addresses a special U.N. General Assembly session on Palestine and calls for the British Mandate to give way to one state shared by Jews and Arabs. But after...

Many Jewish students say pro-Palestinian encampments make them feel less safe, Hillel survey finds

Many Jewish students say pro-Palestinian encampments make them feel less safe, Hillel survey finds

Andrew Lapin, JTAPublished May 14, 2024

(JTA) – Much of the national debate over the campus pro-Palestinian protest movement has focused on whether the encampments or similar actions are fomenting antisemitism. Critics of the encampments have cited viral episodes of outright antisemitism...

Two men wearing Israeli flags in New York City on May 23, 2021. (Ben Sales/JTA)

How US Jews are marking Israel’s war-torn Independence Day in their own communities

JACOB GURVIS  , JTAPublished May 14, 2024

(JTA) — Last year, Congregation Kol Ami in Seattle decided to forgo a standard celebration of Israel’s Independence Day to address the turmoil besetting the country — a nod to what Rabbi Yohanna Kinberg called the “emotional reality of a lot of...

Ivan Bernard Rich

Ivan Bernard Rich

Published May 13, 2024

Ivan Bernard Rich passed away on May 13, 2024 after a long battle with crippling arthritis.  He was 83.  Ivan was a native St. Louis resident. After graduating from Normandy High School, he joined the US Air Force and worked in restricted communication...

Phyllis Sandweiss

Phyllis Sandweiss

Published May 13, 2024

Phyllis Sandweiss passed away peacefully on Mother’s Day at the age of 87. She was the daughter of the late Hyman and Sylvia Cytron; beloved wife of 65 years to her middle school sweetheart, the late Marvin Sandweiss; Loving mother to Bruce (Caryn)...

Cabinet ministers heckled and soldiers wounded as Israel marks a somber Memorial Day

Published May 13, 2024

(JTA) —  Government officials confronted protesters crying “Shame!” and “Criminal!” as they spoke at cemeteries across Israel. Shortly afterward, four Israeli soldiers were wounded by missile fire from Lebanon. Memorial Day in Israel, which...

Jerry Seinfeld appears at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, as he received an honorary degree and delivered the commencement address, May 12, 2024. (Screenshot from livestream)

Students walk out as Jerry Seinfeld, a recent Israel advocate, delivers Duke commencement address

Published May 13, 2024

(JTA) — As Duke University’s president introduced the commencement speaker, two cries rang out: first, loud boos, and then, a joyous chant of “Jerry! Jerry!” Dozens of graduates, some carrying Palestinian flags, walked out of the ceremony to...

Israeli singer Eden Golan, representing Israel with the song "Hurricane," performs during the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on May 11, 2024 at the Malmo Arena in Malmo, Sweden. (Jessica Gow / TT/ TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel places 5th at Eurovision, propelled by audience voting from around the world

Published May 12, 2024

(JTA) — Despite steep backlash including protests from other competitors, Israel’s Eden Golan placed fifth in the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night after delivering a rousing final performance of her song “Hurricane.” The competition’s...

How St. Louis is honoring Israel’s Independence Day, a time for mourning and celebration

How St. Louis is honoring Israel’s Independence Day, a time for mourning and celebration

Bill Motchan and Dr. Mijal BittonPublished May 12, 2024

The entire St. Louis community is invited to celebrate Israel’s 76th Anniversary on Tuesday, May 14, at the at Chesterfield Amphitheater. The program includes music, games, and food available for purchase from Kohn’s Kosher Meat & Deli. A booth...

Amy Spitalnick, right, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, speaks about antisemitism and democracy at the Samson Family JCC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 19, 2024. Ann Jacobs was the moderator. (Courtesy JCPA)

Despite deep divides over Gaza, a Jewish leader seeks allies in defense of democracy

Andrew Silow-Carroll, JTAPublished May 12, 2024

(JTA) — Once upon a time (and it feels a bit like a fairy tale), Jewish communities tried to speak with one voice on domestic policy issues. If you were a politician looking to cultivate the “Jewish community,” or a Jewish group looking to lobby...

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a New Jersey Democrat, and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida Democrat, listen as Margaret Grun Kibben, the chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, leads a prayer during a vigil for Israel on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, Oct. 12, 2023.

26 House Democrats tell White House, ‘We cannot undermine our ally, Israel’

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished May 10, 2024

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Twenty-six Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have asked the White House for a briefing on why President Joe Biden suspended the delivery of large bombs to Israel, the latest sign of fractures in the party over Israel...

Eden Golan performs an emotional rendition of Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," surrounded by empty chairs representing the missing hostages, for her grand finale performance to represent Israel in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. (Screenshot via Mako.co.il)

Israel’s Eden Golan advances to Eurovision final as thousands protest in Malmö

Shira Li Bartov, JTAPublished May 10, 2024

(JTA) — Israeli singer Eden Golan advanced to Eurovision’s final on Thursday night, hours after thousands of people protested her inclusion in the contest while Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza continues. In Malmö, the Swedish port city hosting...

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