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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 Holidays

What you need to know about Passover celebrations at The J

What you need to know about Passover celebrations at The J

Published March 21, 2023

The Jewish Community Center will offer two family programs to celebrate Passover. On Monday, March 27, join other families with children ages 6 and older at Pottery Hollow in Kirkwood. Participants can choose their own painting project (seder plate,...

The offline Passover Haggadah for an online world

By Menachem Posner, Chabad.org/newsPublished March 20, 2023

The Chabad.org Haggadah, the product of years of work in reimagining how the Passover Seder experience could be made easier to follow and more inspiring is available for the first time in hardcover this year, as well as in its popular downloadable and softcover versions. Now...

Cody Palmer.

Why some Jews “sell” their pets before Passover

BY MADISON JACKSON, My Jewish LearningPublished March 20, 2023

It almost seems cruel that National Puppy Day (March 23rd) takes place around the same time as the Jewish holiday where people sell their pets. Yes, you read that right. On the holiday of Passover, some Jews will sell their adorable, snuggly, always-ready-for-a-game-of-fetch...

Apple Matzah Kugel

How to make Apple Matzah Kugel

By Sonya SanfordPublished March 20, 2023

Apple matzah kugel is a classic Ashkenazi Passover dish. Just like many noodle kugels, this is a sweet kugel that is meant to be served with the main course at the seder. For a modern twist and some textural contrast, a simple streusel topping is added...

Matzah pajamas are back, plus a special discount for Jewish Light readers

Matzah pajamas are back, plus a special discount for Jewish Light readers

Jordan Palmer and Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 19, 2023

Matzah pajamas are back! The St. Louis Jewish Light first introduced its readers to Rabbi Yael Buechler who conceived of her PJs two years ago. “During the pandemic, since we weren’t going to be having any guests for our seders, I decided to buy...

9 Surprising facts about Purim you may not know

Leah Kadosh, KvellerPublished March 6, 2023

I’m definitely in need of a laugh right about now, and what do you know? Purim is here! Purim – an exceedingly joyous, fun, and humorous holiday — celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people by Queen Esther from evil Haman’s plot of genocide. Purim...

"Esther Before Ahaseurus" by Giovanni Sirani (Wikimedia)

Purim 101

By My Jewish LearningPublished March 5, 2023

Purim, or the Feast of Lots, is a joyous holiday that recounts the saving of the Jews from a threatened massacre during the Persian period (539-330 BCE). The story of Purim is recounted in the Book of Esther, whose eponymous heroine plays the leading...

Screen shot from video on YouTube.

Rabbi’s new parody video of Lizzo’s “Juice” is just what we need this Purim

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 2, 2023

Chag Purim Sameach! As we move closer to the festivities of Purim, I began wondering if any of our favorite Jewish a capella groups had created new, soon-to-be viral parody videos in celebration of next week’s holiday. Sadly, the big hitters such...

A St. Louis rabbi explains the "whole Megillah"

A St. Louis rabbi explains the “whole Megillah”

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 2, 2023

The Book of Esther, also known as the Megillah, is the story commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman in the ancient Persian Empire. Esther was a young Jewish woman living in the Persian diaspora who finds favor with the king,...

Why do Jews send mishloach manot on Purim?

Why do Jews send mishloach manot on Purim?

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 1, 2023

Purim starts at sundown March 6, which means it’s time to get your best costumes ready, rehearse for the spiel, and of course, plan what to put in your mishloach manot, Purim gift baskets. Aside from being among the two most fun Hebrew words to...

Celebrating the foods of Purim

Celebrating the foods of Purim

Published February 28, 2023

Two of the four mitzvot that are traditionally fulfilled during Purim involve food: giving out mishloah manot (gifts of food), and enjoying a festive meal in the afternoon known as the Seudat Purim. There are several foods that are often associated...

Why do Jews eat hamantaschen on Purim?

Why do Jews eat hamantaschen on Purim?

My Jewish Learning, Special To The Jewish LightPublished February 27, 2023

The carnivalesque Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates a tale of Jewish survival in the face of near genocide masterminded by the megalomaniac villain of the piece, Haman. The holiday is celebrated with a public reading of the Purim story as well as costumes, plays, carnivals, feasting,...

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