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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

Rosalind (Roz) D. Kessler

Rosalind (Roz) D. Kessler

Published March 29, 2024

Rosalind (Roz) D. Kessler, who was cherished by her loved ones and touched the lives of everyone who knew her, passed away on March 27, 2024 at the age of 95. Roz was born May 13, 1928 to the late Meyer and the late Wilma Goldstein in St. Louis; she...

Remembering Gene Wilder, movie poster.

‘Remembering Gene Wilder’ to headline St. Louis Jewish Film Festival, tickets on sale now

Stephen Silver, JTAPublished March 29, 2024

The documentary "Remembering Gene Wilder" recently opened in Los Angeles and New York to rave reviews. Now, the film is set to debut in St. Louis as part of the upcoming St. Louis Jewish Film Festival. The film will be shown Tuesday, April 9 at the B&B...

Obituary

James P. Yalem

Published March 29, 2024

James P. Yalem, January 25, 1955 - March 22, 2024 Beloved son of Gerry Prell and the late Richard Yalem. Loving older brother of Susan (Richard) Weitzer, Laura (Maryanne Gallen) Yalem and Patricia Cornett. Dear uncle of Benjamin Weitzer, Rachel (Micah)...

Phil Needleman, PhD

Phil Needleman, PhD

Published March 28, 2024

Phil Needleman, PhD — Science & Innovation Thought Leader Dies at 85 Phil Needleman died when a 100 foot tree came crashing down on him while he was walking in the woods with his dog.  This freak accident was a mythical end to an Epic life. He...

Security cameras hang across the street from the Park East Synagogue in New York City.

Major U.S. Jewish groups object to federal security funding cuts

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished March 27, 2024

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Seven major Jewish organizations that lobbied for federal security grants have decried $30.5 million in cuts to the program. The cut from last year’s $305 million budgeted for the nonprofit security grant program, run through...

Joe Lieberman in 2005.

Joseph Lieberman, centrist senator and first Jew on a major presidential ticket, dies at 82

RON KAMPEAS, JTAPublished March 27, 2024

(JTA) – Joseph Lieberman, a longtime senator from Connecticut who as Al Gore’s running mate in 2000 became the first Jewish member of a major presidential ticket, died Wednesday. He was 82. A statement sent to former staffers and reportedly widely...

Photo: Sharon Mccutcheon, Pexels

10 books to read before you visit Israel

Naama Barak, Israel21c.orgPublished March 27, 2024

Israel is one complex, complicated and fascinating place – and one definitely worth visiting, war permitting, of course. Should you be planning a visit here, whether now or a bit further down the line, we recommend you check out these top reads before...

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin Meets With Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant At The Pentagon, March 26, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant emphasizes importance of US-Israel ties during DC visit

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished March 27, 2024

WASHINGTON (JTA) — On Tuesday, shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayahu accused the United States of failing to defend Israel on the world stage, his defense minister was in Washington emphasizing the importance of the U.S.-Israeli alliance. “The...

Jerry Allen Klein

Jerry Allen Klein

Published March 27, 2024

Jerry Allen Klein, March 25, 2024 Beloved husband of Sharon Bradford Klein; dear father and father-in-law of Suzanne (Lee) Wagstaff and Jordan (Katie) Klein; dear grandfather of Grace (Andy Peterson) Randolph, Jennings Randolph IV, Alexander Klein,...

Howard Kohr, CEO of AIPAC, testifies before the House Appropriations Committee in Washington, D.C. March 12, 2019. (Astrid Riecken/Getty Images)

Howard Kohr, longtime AIPAC director, announces retirement

RON KAMPEAS, JTAPublished March 27, 2024

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Howard Kohr, the CEO who has led the powerhouse American Israel Public Affairs Committee since 1996, is set to retire by the end of this year. Under Kohr’s leadership, AIPAC has traversed five presidencies and more than 10 Israeli...

Comedian Modi Rosenfeld on stage. (Courtesy of Rosenfeld)

Modi, a comedian popular with Orthodox crowds, has a new special. He wants non-Jews to watch, too.

Published March 26, 2024

(JTA) — In his new comedy special full of jokes about an Orthodox Jewish ambulance corps, DNA test results and an elevator that is configured to accord with traditional Jewish Shabbat observance, comedian Modi Rosenfeld says he hopes plenty of non-Jews...

Marilyn Ann Greenberg Reznik

Marilyn Ann Greenberg Reznik

Published March 26, 2024

Marilyn Ann Greenberg Reznik passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 25, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Gerald “Jerry” Reznik for 42 years.  Dear mother of Lisa Reznik and Andrew Reznik.  Loving grandmother of Miranda and Margeaux Meyers. ...

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