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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

Illustrating the story's themes of reconciliation, divine favoritism, and familial bonds from Sefer Bereishit.

From Cain to Ephraim: The untold Story of brotherhood, favoritism, and faith!

By Rabbi Eliezer Finkelstein, Bais Abraham CongregationPublished January 8, 2025

One of the main themes of Sefer Bereishit is the struggle between brothers. Cain and Hevel (Abel), Yitzchak and Yishmael, Esav and Yaakov, and Yosef and his brothers. Last week’s Parsha provides the culmination of the entire Book, with Yehudah refusing...

What’s the best thing to say to a mourner? A rabbi responds

What’s the best thing to say to a mourner? A rabbi responds

By Rabbi Daniel Cohen, The ForwardPublished January 6, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. What’s the best thing to say to someone when visiting them during shiva, the week of Jewish mourning following a death...

Hanukkah gelt, chocolate coins given to Jewish children during Hanukkah, are among the decorations on the table as the Kavod group has lunch at The Journey buffet, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis runs the program that honors Holocaust survivors in the area. This was one of their social outings, which fell right before the start of this year's Hanukkah. The Jewish Federation Of Greater Indianapolis Runs The Kavod Program That Honors Holocaust Survivors In The Area This Was One Of Their Social Outings

Why I love Hanukkah gelt

By Rabbi Janine Schloss, Rabbi Educator at Temple EmanuelPublished December 23, 2024

When I was young, my brother and I used to fight over Hanukkah gelt. This was complicated because the pieces were different sizes, so even if the number of pieces were the same, it still didn’t always seem fair. As an adult, it always felt embarrassing...

Staenberg Menorah in downtown St. Louis

The Staenberg Menorah amongst the world’s largest

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished December 23, 2024

Last year, St. Louis unveiled a spectacular new addition to its holiday celebrations: the Staenberg Menorah, a towering 29-foot-tall marvel located at Kiener Plaza with the Gateway Arch towering behind it. Constructed with 250 feet of truss and lit with...

Are we repeating biblical mistakes? Lessons from Joseph’s pit of betrayal.

Are we repeating biblical mistakes? Lessons from Joseph’s pit of betrayal.

By Rabbi James Bennett, Congregation Shaare EmethPublished December 18, 2024

What we do and what we say matters; once we do or say something, there is often no turning back. One of life’s most important lessons is to think before we speak or act.  In reflecting on this week’s Torah portion, one cannot help but wonder how...

Two new Hanukkah ice cream flavors debut around St. Louis

Two new Hanukkah ice cream flavors debut around St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished December 17, 2024

The Festival of Lights just got a little brighter—and a whole lot creamier. Clementine's Naughty and Nice Creamery is rolling out two new Hanukkah-inspired ice cream flavors at all eight St. Louis-area parlors. If you can’t wait—or live outside...

Staenberg Menorah in downtown St. Louis

Lighting of 29’ Staenberg Menorah to take Place Every Night of Hanukkah

Published December 17, 2024

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — This Hanukkah, the 29’ Staenberg Menorah at Kiener Plaza Park will be lit every night of the eight day holiday. The Chanukah @ The Arch celebrations, sponsored by Peoples National Bank, will feature Hanukkah light-up giveaways,...

Pizza, prizes, and party vibes: How LollapaJEWza 2024 is dressing Erev Hanukkah!

Pizza, prizes, and party vibes: How LollapaJEWza 2024 is dressing Erev Hanukkah!

Published December 16, 2024

What happens when you take a dive bar, add some dazzling outfits, a guest DJ and the St. Louis young adult Jewish community? You get LollapaJEWza, of course—the annual holiday event that’s been bringing people together for 15 years. This year, it’s...

Photos: Home Depot Hanukkah Experience

Photos: Home Depot Hanukkah Experience

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished December 15, 2024

Ruby Gubitz proudly held up her new blue home-made menorah. The 5-year-old painted the base and inserted candles during the Home Depot Hanukkah Experience on Sunday, Dec. 15. Ruby also got to spend some quality time with her grandparents Charlene and...

Hard hats and hot latkes: Chabad’s Hanukkah event at Home Depot is back!

Hard hats and hot latkes: Chabad’s Hanukkah event at Home Depot is back!

Published December 12, 2024

Let’s be honest, when you think of Hanukkah prep, your first thought probably isn’t, “I need to hit up The Home Depot.” But for the past 16 years, Chabad of Greater St. Louis has been flipping that script—and it’s been a glowing success (pun...

Portrait of Rabbi Josef Davidson

Dayyenu! An attitude for the season and for life

RABBI JOSEF DAVIDSONPublished December 11, 2024

There is an old story of a grandparent who was walking on the beach with a grandchild. They were enjoying a wonderful time together when, all of a sudden, a huge wave came onto the beach, sweeping the grandchild away. The panicky, fearful grandparent...

Festival of lights frenzy! Hanukkah fun and a movie on Christmas Day!

Festival of lights frenzy! Hanukkah fun and a movie on Christmas Day!

Published December 10, 2024

If you’re after some fun Hanukkah activities during this holiday season, steer yourself and your family in the direction of the Jewish Community Center. The folks at the J have assembled a full line-up of family-friendly fun to help usher in the Festival...

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