Skip to Main Content
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

Hamas releases four female Israeli hostages in a ceremony in Gaza City on January 25, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto)

Hostages Daniela Gilboa, Liri Albag, Naama Levy and Karina Ariev released from Gaza in choreographed ceremony

BEN SALES, JTAPublished January 25, 2025

(JTA) — Hamas released four hostages on Saturday in a choreographed ceremony in Gaza, making them the second group of captives to go free in the ceasefire that began earlier this week. The four hostages released on Saturday are Daniela Gilboa, Liri...

Yuval Raphael sings "Dancing Queen" on "Rising Star" to become Israel's selection for the 2025 Eurovision competition, Jan. 22, 2025. (Screenshot)

Nova massacre survivor Yuval Raphael to represent Israel in 2025 Eurovision music contest

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished January 23, 2025

(JTA) — A survivor of the Nova music festival massacre will represent Israel in the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest. Yuval Raphael secured the position on Wednesday when she won “Rising Star,” the Israeli TV show that produces each year’s Eurovision...

The image of Emily Damari's wounded hand has been repurposed by Israeli artists as a symbol of resilience. (IDF Spokesperson/Photo illustration)

Released hostage Emily Damari’s injured hand becomes an instant symbol of Israeli defiance

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished January 22, 2025

(JTA) — Within hours of her release from captivity in Gaza, Emily Damari’s hand had become a new Israeli icon. Damari was injured on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists shot her and took her hostage. It became clear after she was released on...

Remember when The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closed its doors

Remember when The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closed its doors

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished January 15, 2025

Three years ago, Creve Coeur bid farewell to an iconic local establishment: The Bagel Factory. After 48 years of delighting the community with its New York-style water bagels, the shop at 11256 Olive Blvd. closed its doors for good in December 2022. At...

Jan 1, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; A general view of police vehicles at the intersection of Canal and Bourbon Street. The Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal between Georgia and Notre Dame was postponed after an attack on Bourbon Street.

Two Israelis injured in fatal ramming attack in New Orleans

JNS StaffPublished January 1, 2025

At least 10 people were killed and dozens wounded when the driver of a pickup truck rammed into a crowd while opening fire at police during New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans early Wednesday morning. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell told reporters...

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....

Load More Stories