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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

Judaism

Rabbi Jim Bennett of Congregation Shaare Emeth.

D’var Torah: Living with mystery and awe

Rabbi Jim Bennett, Congregation Shaare EmethPublished July 3, 2025

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel devoted much of his writing and teaching to calling people to “Radical Amazement,” or heightened awareness of mystery and awe. "We don't live in an awareness that all that is is an incomprehensible mystery and miracle,”...

When Temple B’nai Israel in White Oak, Pennsylvania closed down in 2025, Rabbi Howie Stein buried the remaining yahrzeit plaques and other Jewish objects at the synagogue’s cemetery. Photo by Debbie Iszauk

Why Jews bury books like they bury the dead

By Rabbi Daniel CohenPublished July 1, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. For many years,  I’ve stood with members of my congregation in our cemetery — not to bury a person, but to bury books. There...

D'var Torah: What Jewish resistance looks like

D’var Torah: What Jewish resistance looks like

RABBI JARED SKOFF, Congregation B’nai AmoonaPublished June 26, 2025

When my grandfather, Rabbi Benson Skoff, was in the third grade, he ran for class president. He told me that he ran against a girl in his class and that he thought the gentlemanly thing to do would be to vote for her. And he expected her to do the same. She...

Tony Reali hosting "Around the Horn".

What Torah and a sports roundtable can teach us about trust and truth

By Rabbi Jeffrey AbrahamPublished June 18, 2025

Last month I was lamenting the end of an era as one of the TV shows I enjoyed, “Around the Horn” came to an end after over 22 years on ESPN.  What I particularly loved about “Around the Horn” was that sportswriters from all over the country...

Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein of Bais Abraham Congregation.

D’var Torah: Mitzvot and intentionality

Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein, Bais Abraham CongregationPublished June 12, 2025

As the Children of Israel leave Mount Sinai, in preparation for their journey to the Land of Canaan, the Torah tells us that: “And they departed from the mountain of the Lord three days’ journey.” (10:33) Commentators explain that this means that...

D'var Torah: Living our values in daily life can turn the mundane to sacred

D’var Torah: Living our values in daily life can turn the mundane to sacred

RABBI ANDREW H. TERKELPublished May 29, 2025

My friend has a little wooden sign in her kitchen that says, “Sorry for the mess, but we live here.” It always makes me smile because it acknowledges that life is often a messy business. Between the kids leaving crumpled up homework,...

D'var Torah on Tazria-Metzora: It’s not personal

D’var Torah on Tazria-Metzora: It’s not personal

Rabbi Jared Skoff, Congregation B’nai AmoonaPublished May 1, 2025

I get sinus infections. I often get them more than once a year. By the time my symptoms go from bad to worse, I’m on antibiotics, an antihistamine, a steroid inhaler, a nasal spray, a nasal rinse, an anti-inflammatory, an antacid, and chicken soup....

Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein of Bais Abraham Congregation.

After the happily ever after

Published April 21, 2025

Let’s take a moment and imagine being there. We have just borne witness to one of the most miraculous events in human history. God has split the Red Sea, and we and 2 million other former slaves have crossed on dry land. Meanwhile, our former masters,...

How Coke’s Passover recipe sparked an antisemitic conspiracy theory

How Coke’s Passover recipe sparked an antisemitic conspiracy theory

By Benyamin Cohen, The ForwardPublished April 10, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. The conspiracy theory started, ironically, when an Orthodox rabbi stood in front of a display of Coca-Cola bottles and...

The Passover Project Players back on stage for 2025.

Standing room only—and no matzah ball soup left—at St. Louis’ musical seder

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 8, 2025

How do I know the Passover Project: A Musical Seder was a hit? The venue ran out of matzah ball soup. And tickets too. That was the scene Tuesday night, April 8, at City Winery in the Foundry, where more than 250 guests filled the room for the second...

Streit's co-owners Aaron Gross, far left, and Aron Yagoda, far right, give two young visitors a tour of the matzah factory. (Courtesy Streit's)

How your matzah gets made: A peek inside the Streit’s factory

Joseph Strauss, JTAPublished April 7, 2025

Streit’s, the kosher food company that’s best known for its matzah, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.  And while many things have changed since the matzah bakery was first opened on Rivington Street on the Lower East Side in 1925...

A little number game for the kiddies. Children love math. Photo by Yahav Gamliel/Flash90

12 little-known Passover Haggadah facts

By Zachy Hennessey, Israel21cPublished April 7, 2025

As Passover approaches, families around the world prepare to gather for the traditional Seder meal. While many are familiar with the basic elements of the Haggadah — the ancient text that guides the Seder — there are some fascinating facts you might...

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