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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

Israel News

Israeli soldiers seen at a staging area near the Israeli border with Lebanon, Oct. 1, 2024.

Report: Israeli Security Cabinet approves truce with Lebanon

Akiva Van Koningsveld, JNSPublished November 26, 2024

The Israeli Security Cabinet voted on Tuesday to approve a 60-day truce with the Hezbollah terror organization in Lebanon, CNN reported. All Israel Defense Forces soldiers are expected to withdraw from Southern Lebanon over a 60-day “transition period,”...

Sharona Dahan cooks at Asif in Tel Aviv, in a rare respite from takeout nearly a year after being evacuated from her home in Sderot, October 2024. (Deborah Danan)

For Israelis still displaced from their homes, reclaiming the kitchen can be an act of hope

Deborah Danan, JTAPublished November 26, 2024

(JTA) — TEL AVIV — With no formal training but with all the aplomb of a seasoned chef, Sharona Dahan serves up plate after plate of Moroccan fish — a dish rooted in her family’s culinary traditions — in the bustling open kitchen of Café Asif...

Since the United Arab Emirates made peace with Israel four years ago, Dubai has become an increasingly popular travel destination for Jews. (Envato)

Killing of Israeli rabbi in UAE could strengthen ties between Israel and Arab neighbors, experts say

RON KAMPEAS, JTAPublished November 25, 2024

WASHINGTON — The killing of an Israeli Chabad rabbi in the United Arab Emirates shocked many, and illustrated the dangers Jews face around the world.  But if the aim of the attack was to to undermine the Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE and...

Then Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee speaks during a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Jerusalem, August 19, 2015.

Trump nominates Huckabee to be next ambassador to Israel

JNS StaffPublished November 12, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump announced that the “great public servant, governor, and leader in faith for many years” and “highly respected” Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, will be the U.S. ambassador to Israel during the next administration. Huckabee...

LEKET ISRAEL volunteers pick produce for the needy.
(photo credit: COURTESY LEKET ISRAEL)

A food insecurity crisis is deepening in Israel: How a St. Louis connection is making a difference

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished November 1, 2024

Food insecurity affects millions of people worldwide. It is especially significant in Israel, where relief often comes from Leket Israel, the national food bank. Translated from Hebrew, leket means “gleanings.” The concept of sharing a portion...

Tal Schneider

“Where was the military?” Israeli journalist answers St. Louisans’ questions about Oct. 7

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished October 22, 2024

Tal Schneider is an Israeli mom with a son and daughter serving in the Israel Defense Forces. She also happens to be a noted journalist, the political and diplomatic correspondent for the Times of Israel. On Oct. 17, Schneider shared her perspective on...

Israeli security forces at the scene where a drone fired from Lebanon caused damage in Caesarea, Oct. 19, 2024.

Assassination attempt on Netanyahu—Israel vows massive retaliation!

JNS Staff ReportPublished October 20, 2024

New Hope Party leader Gideon Sa’ar said on Sunday that the state of Lebanon should be held responsible for the Hezbollah drone attack on the Caesarea residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday. “From the territory of a U.N....

Why discussing Israel has become challenging for some St. Louisans

Why discussing Israel has become challenging for some St. Louisans

Shula Neuman, Special To The Jewish LightPublished September 25, 2024

Here’s a recipe for strife: Start with a population that suffers from two millennia of discrimination and violence. Add a big dash of land that many in this population feel represents their homeland, and then mix in a healthy dose of a politically...

Ami Dadaon competes in the men's 100-meter freestyle S4 heat at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, Aug. 30, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Ami Dadaon wins Israel’s second Paralympics gold medal after setting new record in 100m freestyle

Jacob Gurvis, JTAPublished August 30, 2024

(JTA) — Israeli swimmer Ami Dadaon won a gold medal Friday in the men’s 100-meter freestyle S4, his third career Paralympic gold medal and Israel’s second in as many days in Paris. Dadaon, 23, finished the race with a time of 1:20.25, finishing...

Asaf Yasur celebrates victory against Ali Can Ozcan of Turkey in the men's K44 - 58-kilogram gold medal contest at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympic Games, Aug. 29, 2024, in Paris. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Asaf Yasur wins gold in taekwondo, Israel’s first Paris Paralympics medal

Jacob Gurvis, JTAPublished August 30, 2024

(JTA) — Israeli Asaf Yasur won a gold medal Thursday in taekwondo, Israel’s first medal at the Paris Paralympics. Yasur defeated Turkish opponent Ali Can Ozcan by a score of 19-12 in the gold medal match for the 58-kilogram weight class in the...

Or Garti takes a selfie with her campers at Camp Ben Frankel.

An ‘American Dream’: How 18 Israeli kids spent their summer at Camp Ben Frankel

BY MOLLY LEVINE, JEWISH LIGHT INTERNPublished July 24, 2024

MAKANDA, Ill. – For the past month, 18 Israeli children have explored the ins and outs of something foreign to them: Jewish sleepaway summer camp.  “I was nervous but more happy because I [knew] that I was going to meet tons of friends,” said...

Netanyahu meets with hostage families in DC as pressure mounts for a deal

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished July 23, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington, D.C. with families of Israeli hostages, one of his first stops on a highly anticipated trip to the United States and a sign of how much focus is being placed on talks over a hostage release...

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