For teens all around the world, friendships can be defined by the relative proximity to each other, similar interests and other social aspects. In short, friends become friends for a reason. And while not as commonly recognized, religious identity is...

Jewish youth groups are important to many Jewish teens across St. Louis. Youth groups can encourage teens to get more involved in Jewish activities. There are four youth groups across the St. Louis area: NCSY, NFTY, USY and BBYO. Sarah Kline, a junior...

The Jewish High Holidays begin with Rosh Hashanah and extend through the end of Sukkot, encompassing a month-long holiday season peppered with days that many Jews spend in services and with their families.  Many of these holidays are little known to...

Everything’s gonna be alright If pictures were used to explain the meaning of certain words, no doubt Randy Fleisher’s headshot would be found alongside “mensch.” The Central Reform Congregation rabbi personifies the definition of all-around...

INGREDIENTS Frangipane:¾ c. almond flour¼ c. granulated sugar2 tbsp. flourPinch salt2 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room   temperature1 large egg, lightly whisked½ tsp. vanilla extract½ tsp. almond extractFruit:1 large or 2 small Pink Lady or Honey...

INGREDIENTS1 large tomato, stem removed and   tomato cut into chunks2 cups cubed fresh, seeded   watermelon 1 tsp. red wine or champagne   vinegar¼ c. almonds ¼ c. extra-virgin olive oil2 tbsp. minced red onion½ of an English cucumber, unpeeled...

Ingredients:4 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded   and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1½  cups)1½ tsp. coarse kosher salt1 large garlic clove, halved2 large cantaloupes, peeled and seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks1/3 c. tightly-packed cup mint leaves,...

With farmers markets open well into October, you can still pick up the last of the tomato and corn crop, along with fall vegetables and fruits including eggplant, squash, chard, salad greens, broccoli, cauliflower, apples and pears. The colors of these...

Food for thoughtCafé Coeur, the Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant certified kosher by the Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis, has closed, at least for a while. The restaurant, which offered handcrafted pizzas and a wide variety of sushi, among other dairy and...

I love some of the titles of art exhibitions. A few years ago, I saw a unique one entitled, “Recline/Design: Art and the Aesthetics of Repose” at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s location in Palm Desert, Calif.The introductory panel of the exhibit...

Much has changed in the 18 years since singer-songwriter Dan Bern, who is Jewish, released his first album with his backing band, the International Jewish Banking Conspiracy.When he came up with the name of the band, Bern said, he took inspiration from...