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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

Family + Parenting

Lydia Motchan (left), who is 100 years old, and Jennifer Wientge, Heartland Hospice spiritual adviser. Writer and photographer Bill Motchan chronicles his journey becoming a family caregiver for Lydia, his mother.  Photo: Bill Motchan

Family Caregiving 101: What it really means

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 9, 2022

Until recently, I was unfamiliar with the term “palliative care.” I didn’t know the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing. I had no idea that the acronym “LO” meant “loved one.” I am a novice caregiver, making important...

Car parade celebrates 3rd grader's return home after brain cancer surgery

Car parade celebrates 3rd grader’s return home after brain cancer surgery

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished January 7, 2022

The Creve Coeur police and K9 unit and the Creve Coeur Fire Department showed up as did Louie, the mascot of the St. Louis Blues. The principal of Bellerive Elementary was also on hand, along with the school’s roadrunner mascot, as well as massive tow...

Are there pitfalls in unconventional baby names?

Are there pitfalls in unconventional baby names?

Carol Unger, For TC Jew Folk, Special For The Jewish LightPublished January 7, 2022

This story originally was published by our partners at TCJewfolk.com So, what’s the baby’s name?” My friend breathed an anguished sigh and then mumbled something that sounded like Ren. “Ren,” I repeated. “W-r-e-n.” She spelled...

Meet the new year, hopefully not like the old year

Meet the new year, hopefully not like the old year

By Amy Fenster Brown, Special For The Jewish LightPublished January 4, 2022

Well, hello there, 2022! We are so happy to see you, but we need to welcome you at arm’s length. You can understand that we are a little hesitant because last year we rolled out the red carpet for 2021, and it kind of did us wrong. It started off...

Abbie Strauss

Jewish Song of the Week: “Tree of Life” by Abbie Strauss

Published January 4, 2022

“Tree of Life” by Abbie Strauss (Jewish Rock Radio) Tu B’Shvat is coming up, and as a total nature-lover, I love any chance to appreciate the great outdoors! Nature is also full of powerful metaphors that help us understand our place in the world...

Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School in Creve Coeur received a bomb threat on Feb. 9, 2016.

The Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School appoints next head of school

Published January 3, 2022

The Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School has appointed Raquel Scharf-Anderson as Mirowitz's next Head of School beginning July 1. According to a letter sent to parents, Scharf-Anderson has spent most of her career in the Jewish day school world....

Congregation Shaare Emeth offers expecting parents meaning and connection   

Congregation Shaare Emeth offers expecting parents meaning and connection   

Published January 2, 2022

There is a new class for expecting parents. The phrase “B’sha’ah Tovah” is the traditional response to learning that someone is expecting a child – it literally translates to “at a good hour,” but is understood to mean “may everything...

Elder care is a Jewish imperative. So is paying home health workers a living wage

Elder care is a Jewish imperative. So is paying home health workers a living wage

Bobbie Sackman, THE FORWARDPublished December 29, 2021

This story was originally published on December 29, by The Forward. Sign up here to get the latest stories from The Forward delivered to you each morning. As a 21-year-old heading off to social work school, I watched my Bubby Jenny die within...

Dr. Chana Wircberg, who grew up in a Chabad Hasidic home and graduated in May 2021 from New York Medical College, sees her work as a physician as part of her religious outreach work. (Courtesy of Touro)

For these Orthodox women, balancing demanding careers with family life is worth the challenges

RENEE GHERT-ZAND, JTAPublished December 23, 2021

Orthodox Brooklyn native Chana Wircberg always knew she wanted to be a physician. Shortly after marrying and becoming a young mother, Wircberg made her dream come true, graduating in May from Touro’s New York Medical College. Now 27, Wircberg is...

Doug Emhoff is a Jewish dad with tattoos

Published December 22, 2021

Doug Emhoff, the first Jewish second gentleman and husband to Vice President Kamala Harris, is a pretty dapper fellow. He can often be seen wearing a blazer, whether as part of a three-piece suit or more casually matched with denim pants and a fun...

Rabbi Shmuel Miller

Meet EHA’s new head of school Rabbi Shmuel Miller

Avital Vorobeychik, Freshman, Yeshivat Kadimah High SchoolPublished December 22, 2021

Rabbi Shmuel Miller was named Epstein Hebrew Academy’s (EHA) head of school for the 2021 school year and has done a phenomenal job thus far. From the minute Miller walks into school, the atmosphere feels lighter and more welcoming. Every morning,...

Mothers of finicky eaters rejoice! Time is on your side

Mothers of finicky eaters rejoice! Time is on your side

BY SUSAN KEMPPAINEN, SPECIAL FOR THE ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHTPublished December 22, 2021

Five decades ago, when preemie care was still a new science, I was born at 30 weeks and weighed 3 pounds, 4 ounces. My grandmother said she’d bought bigger chickens. Since I was an itty-bitty thing and a picky eater, everyone worried I’d starve to...

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