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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

Lifestyles

Synagogues face tough COVID questions (again) as Omicron surges

Synagogues face tough COVID questions (again) as Omicron surges

Published January 14, 2022

(JTA) — Nearly two years ago, when the pandemic hit the United States, synagogues were lauded for rapidly moving their entire slate of programming and worship online, and for finding ways to connect with congregants in a world where few were leaving...

10 fun facts about Tu B’Shevat

10 fun facts about Tu B’Shevat

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 12, 2022

1. In Israel, Tu B’Shevat is like Earth Day, raising awareness about the ecology. 2. Part of the environmental awareness is to plant a tree or start an herb garden. 3. Planting trees in Israel is especially important right now; many were lost...

Vicki Lander is the owner of Flower Hill Farm. File photo: Bill Motchan

Tu B’Shevat is the right time to begin growing seder ingredients

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished January 12, 2022

This weekend is a good time to begin preparing for your Passover seder. With three months to go, you can delay boiling eggs and stocking up on horseradish. But it’s an ideal time to plant parsley indoors. The 90-day window should be just about right...

Mimi David

When it comes to raising kids, Judaism says punishments are not cool

MIMI DAVID, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 12, 2022

“Mommy, Yoni made me look like a boy!” It was 7 a.m. and I had been up all night with the kids. Finally about 5:30 a.m., things settled and I fell into a deep and much needed sleep. When my daughter came to share this exciting development with...

Jewish Song of the Week: “Tu BiShvat (Birthday of the Trees)” by Mister G

Jewish Song of the Week: “Tu BiShvat (Birthday of the Trees)” by Mister G

Published January 10, 2022

 “Tu BiShvat (Birthday of the Trees)” by Mister G (JKids Radio) Tu B’Shvat is a great holiday for families! What a special opportunity to teach our children about nature, caring for the world, and all that trees give to us. This grooving song...

10 easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint in 2022

10 easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint in 2022

Abigail Klein Leichman, Israel21c.orgPublished January 10, 2022
You don’t need a Ph.D. or political clout to make a difference for the planet. Two leaders of environmental nonprofits in Israel offer simple steps anyone can take toward a cleaner, healthier future.
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...

Israel to allow US visitors back in for the first time since November

Israel to allow US visitors back in for the first time since November

Published January 6, 2022

(JTA) — Israel will lift its COVID-related travel ban on visitors from the United States, United Kingdom and several other countries for the first time since restrictions were put in place in November. According to Israeli media, the restrictions on...

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...

4th coronavirus shot increased antibodies fivefold, preliminary data from Israel shows

4th coronavirus shot increased antibodies fivefold, preliminary data from Israel shows

Published January 4, 2022

(JTA) — A fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine increases antibodies fivefold in patients who receive the shots, preliminary findings from an Israeli study show. Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced the news at the Sheba Medical...

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