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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

Friends and family of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza protest outside the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on April 25. Photo by Getty Images

Hostage families’ stories highlighted at solidarity event at The J

Published October 21, 2024

The one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel served as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis, but this awareness must not fade. To keep the stories of the hostages and the impact of terrorism at the forefront, the St. Louis Jewish community...

Michael Rapaport

Israel advocate Michael Rapaport bringing his comedy, passion to St. Louis

Published October 21, 2024

Before Oct. 7, actor and comedian Michael Rapaport referred to himself as a “lox and bagels Jew” — proud of his heritage, though not very involved. But after Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel last year, Rapaport — best known for his roles on the...

Healing in Nature

How a Montana wilderness retreat, born in St. Louis, is tranforming Israeli soldiers’ lives

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 21, 2024

Anxiety, anger, stress and sleepless nights. They are all common behaviors experienced by military veterans, particularly those engaged in combat. These soldiers have experienced trauma. That is especially true for Israel Defense Forces soldiers tasked...

Mat DeWinters, the J’s director of sports, recreation and day camps.

Play world-famous courses like Bandon Dunes without leaving the J—try the new golf simulator!

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished October 17, 2024

A golf trip to Bandon Dunes in Oregon or The Belfry in England means booking tee times many months in advance, making travel plans and a hefty budget. Or you could play those two golf courses virtually for the cost of a dozen Titleist Pro V1 balls. That’s...

An artist’s rendering of the 2,400-square foot building under construction at Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery.

Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery undergoes major improvements

Published October 17, 2024

Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, located at 9125 Ladue Rd., is nearing completion of significant upgrades to enhance the visitor experience and preserve the cemetery’s historic grounds. The improvements include a new office and garage, updated walkways,...

Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns on December 7

Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns on December 7

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished October 17, 2024

Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns to The Grandel Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 7. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 for the 14th annual celebration of the Festival of Lights with a musical extravaganza. The event is hosted by the Brothers Lazaroff,...

Demolition crews begin work on tearing down Chesterfield Mall.

Remembering Chesterfield Mall where a generation of Jewish teens hung out and made memories

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 16, 2024

The demolition of Chesterfield Mall has officially begun. On Tuesday, crews started by tearing down the front awning at the main entrance, near the now-closed Cheesecake Factory. Some in the St. Louis media have called the teardown of the old mall “the...

Image courtesy of meltonschool.org

Travel Through Time: Discover the power of Jewish memories

Published October 16, 2024

Travel on a learning adventure as we explore the impact of collective memory on our Jewish identities and the preservation of memories of specific Jewish communities around the world. “Jewish Journeys: Collective Memories through Place and Time”...

Up to $5,000 in funding for educational projects promoting tolerance and change now available

Up to $5,000 in funding for educational projects promoting tolerance and change now available

Published October 16, 2024

Today, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum recently announced the opening of the fall funding cycle for the Rubin and Gloria Feldman Family Educational Institute. Interested individuals and organizations can apply for funds of up to $5,000 on...

Doug and Caryn Rudman.

Rudman family celebrates 30 years of Sukkah tradition with nature-themed structure

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished October 15, 2024

One year ago, the Jewish Light visited Doug and Caryn Rudman’s ever-changing sukkah. As Sukkot approaches, Doug Rudman prepares to erect the structure behind their house and he plans for what’s inside. Each year, the Rudman sukkah has a specific theme. The...

How hiking transformed my Sukkot experience

How hiking transformed my Sukkot experience

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 15, 2024

Over the past few years, I’ve shared my love of hiking with readers of The Morning Light, our daily newsletter. Fall is, without a doubt, my favorite season for hiking. As we approach Sukkot—the Jewish harvest festival, which begins at sundown on...

How St. Louisans can see a new documentary celebrating Jewish creators of comic books

How St. Louisans can see a new documentary celebrating Jewish creators of comic books

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 15, 2024

Pop culture and Jewish history intersect in a new documentary special airing on Jewish Life Television (JLTV). The documentary, titled JEWCE: The Jewish Comics Experience, explores the profound contributions of Jewish creators to the comic book industry....

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