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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

Members of Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, attend a rally in Beit Lahiya on May 30, 2021. Photo by Atia Mohammed/Flash90  *** Local Caption *** ????
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Hamas claims over 35 Israeli captives taken to Gaza

Published October 7, 2023

(JNS) -- Hamas claimed on Saturday to be holding more than 35 Israelis hostage in the Gaza Strip after dispatching dozens of terrorists into the Jewish state as part of a major attack. There were also unconfirmed reports that more than a dozen Nepalese...

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ramallah, May 25, 2021.

Amid Hamas carnage, Abbas calls to ‘bolster steadfastness of the Palestinian people’

Published October 7, 2023

(JNS) -- Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas chaired an “emergency” leadership meeting in Ramallah on Saturday, after the Hamas terrorist group launched a major attack from the Gaza Strip that killed at least 40 Israelis. Abbas “gave instructions...

Firefighters tackle burning cars set aflame by a Gazan rocket in Beersheva, Oct. 7, 2023.

At least 40 Israelis dead amid Hamas rocket attacks and terrorist infiltration

Published October 7, 2023

(JNS) -- Hamas killed at least 40 Israelis on Saturday as it launched a massive offensive from the Gaza Strip, including firing more than 2,500 rockets and sending dozens of Palestinian terrorists to infiltrate the Jewish state. As of 3 p.m., there were...

Lapid: Today, there is no opposition or coalition in Israel

Published October 7, 2023

(JNS) -- Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Saturday gave full backing to the government to strike hard at Hamas following a devastating multi-pronged attack that killed at least 22 people. “At times like these, there is no opposition or coalition...

Israel Air Force jets. Credit: Maj. Ofer via Wikimedia Commons.

IDF strikes over 20 Hamas terror sites in Gaza

Published October 7, 2023

(JNS) -- The Israel Air Force Forces on Saturday attacked 17 “military” compounds and four operational headquarters of the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip. Hamas killed at least 22 Israelis earlier in the day as the organization fired 2,500...

Republican presidential candidates left to right, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina participate in the FOX Business Republican Primary Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on Sept. 27, 2023.

Israel gets no mention in second Republican debate

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished September 28, 2023

(JTA) — Israel, which featured large in the first Republican debate, got nary a mention in its sequel on Wednesday night, as the candidates on stage in California instead devoted much of their focus to Donald Trump, who opted to skip the proceedings. Nikki...

J planning family Israel summer adventure tour

J planning family Israel summer adventure tour

Published September 27, 2023

The Jewish Community Center is now recruiting families interested in traveling to Israel next summer as part of a fun family adventure geared towards families with elementary and middle-school aged children. Scheduled for June 2-14, 2024, the itinerary...

The new National Library of Israel building designed by Herzog and de Meuron with Mann-Shinar.

A peek into the magnificent new National Library of Israel

By Judith Sudilovsky, Israel 21cPublished September 25, 2023

As the opening date for the new building of the National Library of Israel (NLI) approaches, workers are busy transferring the library’s treasures from their old location on the Hebrew University Givat Ram campus to their new home in Jerusalem’s Government...

Biden and Netanyahu meet for the first time this year, signaling friendship amid disagreements

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished September 20, 2023

(JTA) — After months of icy relations, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met face-to-face for the first time since Netanyahu’s return to office late last year — with both appearing eager to convey that the U.S.-Israel...

Classic macaroni-and-cheese. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Jewish movie star’s mac-and-cheese biz gets big investment

Published September 19, 2023

(JNS) Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress who became world-famous playing “Wonder Woman,” said she “didn’t want to do the obvious” when it came to investing her newly acquired wealth. But she could do something a little cheesy. To that end, she...

IDF soldier Ortal Butvia.

IDF soldier with Down’s syndrome swaps army uniform for chef’s hat

Pesach Benson, JNSPublished September 18, 2023

Ortal Butvia, a 22-year-old with Down’s syndrome, embarked on a journey that many thought impossible. Her dream was simple yet profound—to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. On Sept. 5, 2020, that dream came to fruition, and three years later to...

What to expect during Benjamin Netanyahu’s first US trip since his return to office

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished September 18, 2023

(JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not shying away from controversy as he embarks on his first trip to the United States since his reelection last year. | RELATED: Joe Biden invites Benjamin Netanyahu to meet in US, after months...

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