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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

Jewish Pop Culture

Mrs. Roper’s Romps have popped up In dozens of cities across America, including St. Louis.

Curls, caftans and cocktails: Carry on with Mrs. Roper’s Romp and you’ll have more than 3 for company

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished February 19, 2025

On a Saturday morning earlier this month in Fort Myers Beach (FMB), Fla., a truly unusual sight unfolded along the city’s main downtown drag: a colorful procession of people in flowing caftans, curly red wigs and chunky costume jewelry, all strolling...

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd stars as "Fifth Beatle" Brian Epstein in "Midas Man."

‘Midas Man’ brings the story of Beatles manager Brian Epstein to the St. Louis Jewish Film Festival

Stephen Silver, JTAPublished February 19, 2025

(JTA) — In "Midas Man," the new film out this month in the United States about the late Beatles manager Brian Epstein, an early, pivotal scene is set in a synagogue. In it, Brian (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) sits with his parents, Harry and Malka (Eddie Marsan...

American comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Credit: Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum.

Seinfeld shuts down anti-Israel activist: ‘I don’t care about Palestine’

JNS StaffPublished February 18, 2025

The American comedian Jerry Seinfeld swiftly shot down an anti-Israel activist telling him he doesn’t “care about Palestine” when the online personality attempted to ambush him this weekend with a video, according to a clip posted on social media...

Promotional photo of Gregory Peck and James Mason in the American film The Boys from Brazil (1978)

Netflix remakes “The Boys From Brazil” with Jeremy Strong in lead role

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 17, 2025

Back in 2021, I wrote a heartfelt, nostalgia-drenched piece about my love for the 1978 film "The Boys From Brazil"—and let’s just say it did not go over well. Maybe I overestimated the number of people who still appreciate seeing Laurence Olivier,...

Idina Menzel plays Jesse, an ambitious New York art gallery director who heads west after a shocking life event in Redwood

In Idina Menzel’s new Broadway musical, a show tune about Tikkun Olam soars high

By Samuel Eli Shepherd, The ForwardPublished February 16, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. In Redwood, a new Broadway musical about a New Yorker heading west after tragedy, a tree takes up most of the stage. The...

(L-r) Dr. Max Gerson in 1929; a Works Progress Administration poster warning against "cancer quacks" in 1936-38. (ullstein bild Dtl./public domain)

Netflix’s ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’ features a Jewish-run ‘cancer clinic.’ What is it?

Andrew Lapin, JTAPublished February 14, 2025

This story contains spoilers for “Apple Cider Vinegar.” Early in the new Netflix miniseries “Apple Cider Vinegar,” the central character of Millie Blake is diagnosed with a rare cancer and told she must amputate her arm.  Desperate for...

How a classmate got me hooked on ‘Saturday Night Live’—and my favorite Jewish moments in its 50-year history

How a classmate got me hooked on ‘Saturday Night Live’—and my favorite Jewish moments in its 50-year history

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 13, 2025

I first discovered "Saturday Night Live" the way a lot of kids did—through an older, slightly cooler classmate. It must have been in 1978 or 1979. Richard Shaw was the biggest kid at Spoede School -- not just in height but in presence. Every Monday...

Kosher cannabis? These gummy edibles have a rabbi’s seal of approval — and a following

By Mira Fox, The ForwardPublished February 12, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Tu B’Shvat is the Jewish day of the trees, a celebration of all things plant and fruit. And what better way to celebrate...

Art and soul: How St. Louis artists are transforming Congregation B’nai Amoona this winter

Art and soul: How St. Louis artists are transforming Congregation B’nai Amoona this winter

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 11, 2025

When you think of Congregation B’nai Amoona, striking glass sculptures, layered watercolor paintings and abstract digital designs might not be the first things that come to mind. But starting this month, the synagogue’s art gallery is hosting a stunning...

Clara Deitchman

Yiddish things my bubbe said to me

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 9, 2025

Since joining the Jewish Light I’ve reflected on my own Jewish experience growing up and part of that was the Yiddish my grandparents would use, particularly my maternal grandparents whom I affectionately named Mama and Baba. Both would use Yiddish...

From Dumbledore to Jewish law: Podcast turns pop culture into deep Torah debates

From Dumbledore to Jewish law: Podcast turns pop culture into deep Torah debates

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 9, 2025

When Ofir Tzoubari, a WashU law school alum and former St. Louis resident, launched his podcast “Dilemmas on Screen: A Jewish Perspective,” he wasn’t just creating another pop culture commentary. He was introducing something far more layered: a...

Student breathes new life into forgotten Jewish drama that once scandalized Broadway

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 9, 2025

Celia Weingart, a 20-year-old sophomore at Miami University and St. Louis native, is bringing a fresh perspective to Jewish representation in theater. As part of a theater history class, Weingart’s research began with a simple assignment: advocate for...

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