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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 Humor

The Great Schmear Debate: Why some flavors should be illegal

The Great Schmear Debate: Why some flavors should be illegal

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 11, 2025

Cream cheese isn’t just a spread—it’s a way of life. It’s so important that we once published an entire story about how cream cheese tells the story of Jews in America. That’s how deep this goes. That’s history....

A sign for customers shopping for eggs at Trader Joe’s hangs by the cartons in Merrick, New York, U.S., February 16, 2025.

Notes From A Jewish Mother: Eggsactly when did we all become old?

Amy Fenster Brown, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 11, 2025

Forgive my Jerry Seinfeld impersonation, but what is the deal with egg prices? I told my kids they can have a quiche or a college education. Pick one. Word has it the producers of “Wheel of Fortune” are thinking of replacing the “car” prize placard...

Inconceivable!" The Jewish humor of ‘The Princess Bride’—and where St. Louis fans can hear about it

Inconceivable!” The Jewish humor of ‘The Princess Bride’—and where St. Louis fans can hear about it

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 4, 2025

What’s Jewish about "The Princess Bride?" At first glance, the answer might seem "inconceivable"—but as you dig deeper, it’s a delightful rabbit hole of connections. Starting with Billy Crystal's unforgettable portrayal of Miracle Max, the film...

Mary Rose Brendel (Karen Smith) and the Tour Company of Mean Girls
Photo by Jenny Anderson, 2023

From pirates to ‘Mean Girls’: 16 unmissable events lighting up St. Louis in March

Patricia Corrigan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 4, 2025

Museum exhibits, theater (musicals galore and dramas, too), rock concerts, lectures, flower shows, a blues festival, art shows (indoors and out), dance concerts, live jazz, kids’ programs (Disney on Ice is back!), cabaret shows, operas, a sake tasting,...

Clara Deitchman

Yiddish things my bubbe said to me

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 21, 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...

Notes From A Jewish Mother: Oh, for a nap—or at least an off button for the brain

Notes From A Jewish Mother: Oh, for a nap—or at least an off button for the brain

BY AMY FENSTER BROWNPublished February 19, 2025

Raise your hand if you need a nap. Doesn’t that sound glorious? We work hard, we have tasks and chores at home, we run around doing errands and keeping up with our social lives … it’s exhausting.  Little kids are encouraged to take daily naps,...

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...

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...

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...

Vanessa Hidary

Meet or re-meet Vanessa Hidary, ‘The Hebrew Mamita’

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 16, 2025

Vanessa Hidary isn’t your typical Jewish storyteller. The self-proclaimed “Hebrew Mamita” has turned her multicultural experiences into a long and, dare I say, provocative career as a spoken word artist, poet and cultural commentator. Who is Vanessa? According...

From the Holocaust to hilarity: New book reveals how laughter keeps Jewish spirits alive

From the Holocaust to hilarity: New book reveals how laughter keeps Jewish spirits alive

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 3, 2025

Jewish humor isn’t just about getting a laugh—it’s an essential part of Jewish identity. According to a 2020 Pew Research Center survey, 34% of American Jews say having a sense of humor is a crucial aspect of their Jewish identity. That’s more...

Notes From A Jewish Mother: A Hanukkah gift: 8 nights of random musings

Notes From A Jewish Mother: A Hanukkah gift: 8 nights of random musings

Amy Fenster BrownPublished December 19, 2024

The holiday season is about to kick into high gear.  This year we’ve got Hanukkah and Christmas on the same day, followed a week later by New Year’s Eve.  That’s a lot of celebrating, eating and drinking interspersed with gift giving, gift receiving...

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