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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

Local news

Rabbi Ze'ev Smason

Feeling burned out? This St. Louis rabbi wants to send you a spark

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 17, 2025

Rabbi Ze’ev Smason has a new weekly project, and it’s one he hopes will bring people just a little closer to themselves. With Spiritual Sparks, the longtime Olivette rabbi sends a spark of inspiration each week—short reflections meant to nourish...

800 Washington University students came together on Thursday, October 12th outside the Danforth University Center on campus for a gathering in support of Israel through song, prayer, and testimonials.

Why one Jewish teen chose WashU over Columbia

By Olivia GoldsmithPublished July 17, 2025

This article was produced as part of the New York Jewish Week’s Teen Journalism Fellowship, a program that works with Jewish teens around New York City to report on issues that affect their lives. Since she was little, Lindsay, who recently graduated...

Four women, one Torah, zero names: can you help us ID them?

Four women, one Torah, zero names: can you help us ID them?

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 16, 2025

Every so often, a photo from the Jewish Light archives reminds us why preserving local Jewish history matters. This one, taken at Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel (BSKI), shows a group gathered reverently around a Torah scroll. At the far left is Rabbi Benson...

St. Louis dressmaker’s legacy adds new thread to Holocaust story and exhibition

St. Louis dressmaker’s legacy adds new thread to Holocaust story and exhibition

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 16, 2025

When Arlen Chaleff got a call from the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, she didn’t hesitate. Within moments, she was digging through old file cabinets, pulling out patterns along with  naturalization papers and anything else she could...

St. Louis University’s Dr. George T. Grossberg

SLU’s Dr. George Grossberg featured in PBS Alzheimer’s docuseries

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 15, 2025

St. Louis University’s Dr. George T. Grossberg, a longtime leader in geriatric psychiatry and a recognized member of the St. Louis Jewish community, is featured in a new episode of Medical Stories, a health-focused docuseries now available to stream...

Down the Rabbit Hole: Red Hot Riplets, snap peas and a case of mistaken gefilte fish

Down the Rabbit Hole: Red Hot Riplets, snap peas and a case of mistaken gefilte fish

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 15, 2025

After casually mentioning Red Hot Riplets in yesterday’s Morning Light—while, tragically, snacking on snap peas—I got bunch of emails. Some were about snack deprivation, others about beloved junk food. A few said they’d heard Old Vienna—the...

Synagogue of Lengnau.

This Swiss synagogue holds a secret — and St. Louis might be part of it

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 15, 2025

A centuries-old Swiss village may be the missing chapter in your Jewish family story — and a European genealogy group is hoping someone in St. Louis can help close the book. The Swiss Society for Jewish Genealogy is searching for descendants...

Larry King.

Suspenders, Sinatra and St. Louis: Larry King lives on at auction

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 15, 2025

Long before Larry King’s suspenders hit the auction block, they turned heads in St. Louis. The Larry King Collection, set for auction by Julien’s on Aug. 12, features nearly 400 artifacts from the broadcaster’s six-decade career — including...

Fighting antisemitism starts at home, St. Louis leaders say

Fighting antisemitism starts at home, St. Louis leaders say

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished July 15, 2025

The Jewish community needs to step up and fight antisemitism. That was a key message at “Antisemitism in our Backyard,” a conversation with State Rep. George Hruza, R-St. Louis County, and Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg of United Hebrew Congregation. Nearly...

Mary Goldstein Stolar, Cecilia Lacks and Harley J. Hammerman

Three Jewish alumni named to U. City High School Hall of Fame

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished July 14, 2025

The University City High School 2025 Hall of Fame inductees will include three Jewish members. A ceremony celebrating the 10 total inductees will be held Oct. 16 at the school, highlighted by another Jewish alum, Alan Spector, who will be the keynote...

Why I may finally buy a Jewish coffee table book

Why I may finally buy a Jewish coffee table book

Published July 14, 2025

I’m going to be completely honest with you: I’m not a coffee table book kind of guy. I’ve also never really had a coffee table that would justify owning a coffee table book. I don’t live in the kind of home where decorative hardcover books are...

New BBYO year starts with party bus, fun and new friends

New BBYO year starts with party bus, fun and new friends

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished July 14, 2025

Picture this: A party bus full of Jewish teens pulling up to Rec Hall in St. Charles, music blasting, laughter spilling out the doors and the energy unmistakably full of something new—new friendships, new beginnings and a new BBYO year. That’s...

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