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

Hanukkah

Photos: St. Louis Mayor declares A Day Of Light And Jewish Pride

Photos: St. Louis Mayor declares “A Day Of Light And Jewish Pride”

Published December 13, 2023

It was a happy sixth night of Hanukkah in downtown St. Louis at the 29-foot-tall menorah. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones declared Dec. 12, “A Day Of Light And Jewish Pride" in the city of St. Louis, and joined Chabad’s regional director Rabbi...

Margi Lenga Kahn’s Roasted Salmon with Pepper Jelly and Fresh Oranges and Crisp Oven-Baked Latkes.

A Hanukkah ode to miraculous olive oil

By Margi Lenga Kahn, Special to the Jewish LightPublished December 12, 2023

Hanukkah celebrates the hard-fought victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greek army. Following their victory, the Jews rededicated the Second Temple in Jerusalem — removing idols and statues left by their enemies, cleansing the Temple, building...

Actor Jamie Lee Curtis reads a page from her childrens book during remarks at the Claims Conferences virtual event, Dec. 11, 2023. (Screenshot)

Barbra Streisand, Billy Crystal, Jamie Lee Curtis headline Claims Conference Hanukkah event. Here’s how to watch

Jacob Gurvis, JTAPublished December 11, 2023

(JTA) — The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany hosted its seventh annual International Holocaust Survivors Night event Monday with a slate of Jewish celebrities, communal leaders and heads of state — many of whom drew connections...

 Lea- Rachel Kosnik and her son, Vincent Mize.

29 foot mega-menorah lit for Hanukkah in downtown St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished December 7, 2023

The city of St. Louis officially kicked off the Hanukkah season Thursday night with the lighting of what is believed to be the third tallest Hanukkah menorah in the United States. The 29-foot menorah is just 5-feet shorter than the world's largest menorah,...

A menorah sits on the mantle of the Second Gentleman’s office, Wednesday, December 6, 2023, in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House.

This Hanukkah, the vice president will have 3 menorahs that represent Jewish joy and trauma

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished December 7, 2023

WASHINGTON (JTA) — For the next eight days, one menorah will be lit in the office of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff; another will sit in the office of his wife, Vice President Kamala Harris; and a third will illuminate their home. Each menorah carries...

Harold Sanger shows the gifts accumulated during the year that ‘Hanukkah Joe’ will present him during the holiday.

Hard-working ‘Hanukkah Joe’ carries on one family’s longtime holiday tradition

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished December 6, 2023

In 1989, comedian Jon Lovitz donned a blue and white fur hat in the role of Hanukkah Harry on “Saturday Night Live.” In the skit’s setup, Santa had taken ill, so Harry stepped in to assist his old friend, delivering practical gifts like socks and...

Eradicate latke stink? That would be a Hanukkah miracle

Eradicate latke stink? That would be a Hanukkah miracle

Amy Fenster BrownPublished December 6, 2023

The definition of a miracle is an extraordinary event not characterized by natural or scientific law, therefore being a supernatural act of divine agency. I didn’t know God started her own agency, but I’m super proud of her.  As we light the first...

West County woman on quest to find vintage Hanukkah kitsch

West County woman on quest to find vintage Hanukkah kitsch

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished December 5, 2023

Brooke Pratt is a devoted mid-century modern enthusiast who frequently explores local antique stores for unique 1950s and 60s treasures. "About seven years ago I was in a Creve Coeur antique mall, not necessarily looking for anything specific,...

The Jewish Lights annual Editors Gift Guide for Hanukkah

The Jewish Light’s annual ‘Editor’s Gift Guide’ for Hanukkah

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished December 4, 2023

First things first, our apologies. Yes, we know Hanukkah is just a couple of days away. But two weeks ago, we were cleaning up from Thanksgiving instead of shopping, though I suppose this year isn’t as bad as a decade ago when the first day of Hanukkah...

Jewish a cappella group Y-Studs release new Taylor Swift parody for Hanukkah

Jewish a cappella group ‘Y-Studs’ release new Taylor Swift parody for Hanukkah

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished December 4, 2023

Y-Studs, the a cappella group from Yeshiva University, recently unveiled their rendition of Taylor Swift's 2009 hit, "You Belong with Me," entitled "You Can Light With Me" and yes, they even included a reference to her new beau. The song cleverly...

Biden references the Hanukkah story during DC press conference with Zelensky

Biden references the Hanukkah story during DC press conference with Zelensky

RON KAMPEAS, JTAPublished December 21, 2022

WASHINGTON (JTA) — During a closely-watched press conference with Ukraine’s Jewish president, Volodymr Zelensky, President Joe Biden brought up the Hanukkah story, comparing Ukraine’s struggle against Russia to the Maccabees’ uprising. “Tonight...

8 snapshots of Hanukkah celebrations from around the world

8 snapshots of Hanukkah celebrations from around the world

Jackie Hajdenberg, JTAPublished December 21, 2022

(JTA) — Hanukkah may be considered a “minor holiday,” as rabbis will say, but its resonance and unique traditions offer a great window into Jewish communities around the world. We’ve rounded up eight images, one for each candle of the menorah,...

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