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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

On the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, USC students walk out of class and march around their campus in support of Palestinians and the divest movement on Monday, October 7, 2024 in Los Angeles. President Trump's executive order on Jan. 29, 2025, suggests that foreign-born protesters who express support for terrorism be deported. (Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Jewish groups offer mixed reactions to Trump’s executive order on antisemitism

Andrew Lapin, JTAPublished January 30, 2025

Jewish groups are offering mixed reactions to President Donald Trump’s latest executive order on antisemitism that suggests that foreign-born anti-Israel student protesters could be deported. Some say the order is taking advantage of Jewish fear...

Sarah Chaskelson

Sarah Chaskelson

Published January 30, 2025

Sarah Anne (Neumann) Chaskelson passed away peacefully on January 22, 2025 after a courageous and brave battle against a difficult illness. Up until the end, Sarah maintained her gentle nature, kindness, and composure, even in the most trying of times. Sarah...

Arbel Yehud, an Israeli hostage held in Gaza, is made to traverse a dense crowd of terrorists before being handed over to the Red Cross outside Yahya Sinwar's house in Khan Yunis, Gaza, Jan. 30, 2025. (Hani Alshaer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

8 hostages, including 5 Thai nationals, return to Israel following chaotic scenes in Gaza

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished January 30, 2025

Eight hostages returned to Israel in two separate releases on Thursday, following scenes of chaos and intimidation as the terror groups that abducted them handed them over to the Red Cross. Agam Berger, the last woman soldier remaining in Gaza, was...

The Jewish community's focus shifted from mourning and shock, to advocating for the hostages. Some rallies demanded action from the international community with protests at the United Nations, Oct. 24, 2023. (Luke Tress)

Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger and Gadi Moses reportedly among 8 hostages to be released tomorrow

Published January 29, 2025

Hamas has reportedly informed Israel that it will free eight hostages tomorrow, including two Israeli women and an elderly Israeli man. The Israeli hostages reportedly to be released are civilians Arbel Yehud, 29, and Gadi Moses, 80, as well as soldier...

Marvin Gilbert Ansel

Marvin Gilbert Ansel

Published January 28, 2025

Marvin Gilbert Ansel, aged 90, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025 in Palm Sorings, where he recently resided. Born on May 9, 1934, Marvin spent most of his life in St. Louis, Missouri. Before retiring to the warmth and beauty of Palm Springs. A...

Sheila Kunitz

Sheila Kunitz

Published January 28, 2025

Sheila Kunitz, January 27, 2025 Beloved wife of the late Jack Kunitz; dear mother and mother-in-law of Steve Kunitz and Andy Kunitz (Lauren); dear grandmother of Emma, Will, Layla, and Brady Kunitz; dear sister of Mark Rubin (Marsha); dear sister-in-law...

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and President Donald Trump participate in the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords on the South Lawn of the White House, Sept. 15, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Benjamin Netanyahu says he will meet Donald Trump at the White House on Feb. 4

Ben Sales, JTAPublished January 28, 2025

Benjamin Netanyahu says he will meet President Donald Trump at the White House next week, a date that would make the Israeli prime minister the first foreign leader to be invited to Trump’s residence since he retook office. Netanyahu’s office announced...

JAN. 28: President Shimon Peres, who in 1996 was the target of protests over the dumping of Ethiopian-Israeli blood, visits the Reshit school in Jerusalem in January 2012 in response to other episodes of discrimination toward Ethiopian Jews. By Amos Ben Gershom, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

This week in Israeli history: Jan. 27-Feb. 2

Center for Israel Education, israeled.orgPublished January 27, 2025

Jan. 27, 2006 — U.N. Holds First Holocaust Remembrance Day The first U.N.-recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day is held on the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The president of the U.N. General Assembly, Jan Eliasson, says...

Judith Ann (Slumpsky) Rotskoff

Judith Ann (Slumpsky) Rotskoff

Published January 27, 2025

Judith Ann (Slumpsky) Rotskoff passed away peacefully on January 24th at the age of 79. The cause was complications of the flu and Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in St. Louis, where she resided for most of her life, Judi was the beloved wife of Dr....

James Charles Willis

James Charles Willis

Published January 26, 2025

James Charles Willis, 73, of St. Louis, Missouri passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025. Known to all that love him as Jim, he is survived by his stepchildren, Jason Rosenthal (Jane), Daniel Rosenthal (Rebecca), and Jennifer Mills (Brent); his...

Sarijane Mogerman Freiman

Sarijane Mogerman Freiman

Published January 26, 2025

Sarijane Mogerman Freiman, January 25, 2025 Sarijane Mogerman Freiman, beloved wife of the late S. Michael Freiman, M.D.; dear mother and mother-in-law of Matthew Freiman, Carla Feuer (Michael) and Rebecca Freiman; cherished grandmother of Noah;...

A hostage poster showing Keith Siegel can be seen at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport. (Jane Gabin)

American hostage Keith Siegel reportedly to be released from Gaza in coming days

BEN SALES, JTAPublished January 26, 2025

(JTA) — Keith Siegel, an American taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023, will reportedly be released in the coming days as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. The report on NBC News, citing Israeli sources, is a sign that Siegel is alive. It came hours...

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