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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

"October 8" documentary now playing in St. Louis, plays Jewish Film Festival in April

“October 8” documentary now playing in St. Louis, plays Jewish Film Festival in April

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 17, 2025

The documentary “October 8,” now playing in St. Louis, explores the surge of antisemitism following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Directed by veteran filmmaker Wendy Sachs, a former "Dateline" producer, the film highlights how it has spread across...

Daryl Rothman

Darryl Rothman’s new book is a twisted thriller

Published March 17, 2025

Daryl Rothman’s new book, “Gospel,” was recently published. It is a suspense novel about Jacob Fallon, a failed author, who plans to win back his family but is ensnared in a deadly, Faustian pact. A member of Congregation Shaare Emeth, Rothman...

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, a Jewish Democrat who is the majority leader, delivers a speech on antisemitism in the U.S. Capitol, Nov. 29, 2023.

Schumer book tour reportedly postponed for security concerns

JNS StaffPublished March 17, 2025

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has reportedly put a tour promoting his forthcoming book Antisemitism in America: A Warning on hold, “as the New York Democrat faces blowback over his recent vote to avert a government shutdown,” Jewish...

US launches fresh strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

JNS StaffPublished March 17, 2025

The United States’ military operation against Houthi terrorists in Yemen continued throughout the day on Sunday, as the Iranian-backed militia group launched fresh attacks on U.S. aircraft carriers in the Red Sea. U.S. Central Command, which oversees...

For Rob Kutner, author of ‘The Jews,’ history could have provided Moses with a few more moments of levity. Courtesy of Rob Kutner

Were these the funniest moments in more than 5,000 years of Jewish history?

By Dan FriedmanPublished March 16, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Five thousand years ago, a nomadic monotheist called Abram wandered out of the Sumerian city of Ur and headed to rural...

Milo London

Power Out? No problem! St. Louis synagogues overcome storm chaos for Shabbat & bar mitzvah

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished March 16, 2025

The annual Men’s Club Shabbat service at Congregation B’nai Amoona Saturday morning required a little extra maneuvering when the synagogue lost all power the previous night. The tornadoes and heavy wind that moved through the St. Louis area on March...

Team Berg

The Berg Team reigns supreme at Battle of the Stars—again!

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 16, 2025

Nothing like a little friendly competition to bring an entire community together. That was the spirit once again at Battle of the Stars, the annual fundraiser hosted by J Associates, the women’s auxiliary of the St. Louis Jewish Community Center. On...

Spencer Davis Milford as the Emcee and Hailey Medrano as Sally.

What to know before you see ‘Cabaret’ at the New Jewish Theatre

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 16, 2025

The New Jewish Theatre is set to open its 2025 season with a production that’s as immersive as it is urgent. Running March 20–April 6, “Cabaret” invites audiences into the world of the Kit Kat Klub, where dazzling performances mask the creeping...

Bret and Mary Silverglate

Purim Parade Surprise: Popeye the Sailor Man’s Unexpected Jewish Connection!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 16, 2025

The most obscure bit of trivia the Jewish Light learned at the 2025 Purim reenactment and parade was that Popeye the Sailor Man was created by Jewish cartoonist E. C. Segar. Bret and Mary Silverglate offered up this factoid. They were dressed as Popeye...

The Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Antisemitism bill clears key hurdle in Jefferson City

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished March 16, 2025

A proposed Missouri law guarding against discrimination and antisemitism in public schools has moved to the next step in the legislative process. HB 937 passed the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee by a vote of 10-2 on March 13. One...

Jordan Durlester

Promotion for Jordan Durlester

Published March 14, 2025

Jordan Durlester was promoted to vice president, Data Analytics, US Operations with Reinsurance Group of America (RGA). Durlester is a member of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

The family of Edan Alexander, an American held captive in Gaza, protests for his release in December 2024 in New York City. (Alon Kaplun)

Hamas says it would release Edan Alexander and bodies of 4 dual-national hostages

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished March 14, 2025

Hamas has agreed to release Edan Alexander, the last known American hostage held in Gaza, along with the bodies of four other dual-national hostages. The move comes as part of ongoing negotiations to end the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has not accepted the...

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