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

News

Fauda star Tsahi Halevi with his son wearing an Israeli army uniform.

Fauda stars show up for reserve duty

By Yulia Karra, Israel 21c • Published October 17, 2023

A host of stars of the popular Israeli TV show Fauda are among hundreds of thousands of Israelis called up for reserve duty over the past 10 days. Israel declared war on October 7 after more than...

Flyers posted by families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza as part of a protest outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. Oct. 14, 2023.

The angst of covering war and keeping St. Louis informed

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief • Published October 17, 2023

It’s been a week, hasn’t it?  Actually, by the time you read this, it’ll be closer to two weeks. But as I started to write this on Sunday, Oct. 15, eight days had passed since Hamas terrorists...

A "Community Solidarity Gathering for the People of Israel" drew thousands of people to the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey, Oct. 11, 2023.

How do we keep the worst days in the last 50 years of Jewish history from tearing us apart?

Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld • Published October 17, 2023

This piece originally appeared as a letter to the Hebrew College community. (JTA) — Like so many others, I spent much of last week searching for language to describe and respond to the new reality...

Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday to give support and address humanitarian concerns

Ron Kampeas, JTA • Published October 16, 2023

WASHINGTON (JTA) — President Joe Biden will visit Israel during wartime to hear in person about its strategy as its conflict with Hamas intensifies and to press for humanitarian relief for Palestinians...

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.

Photos: 800 WashU students gather to support Israel through song and prayer

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer • Published October 16, 2023

Last week hundreds of WashU students gathered to remember and honor those who lost their lives to terrorism in Israel, after the surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7. The gathering...

A Life-Saving Magen David Adom Ambulance

Local band hosting concert at ‘The Hub STL’ to purchase ambulance for Israeli first responders

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer • Published October 16, 2023

The recent attacks in Israel have prompted Jews and friends of Israel everywhere to take action in support of those in need in the region. | WAR IN ISRAEL: Follow our updated coverage One such local...

Novellus is an American restaurant on Historic Main Street in St Charles.

St. Charles restaurant going all kosher for one day to support Israel

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light • Published October 16, 2023

A St. Charles restaurant will change its entire menu, and kosherize its kitchen for one day, in support of Israel. Novellus, at 201 N. Main Street in St. Charles, announced that all proceeds from dinner...

Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) October 15, 2023

Taylor Swift’s bodyguard returns to Israel to fight in the war

Jacob Gurvis, JTA • Published October 16, 2023

(JTA) — An Israeli bodyguard who has been working for superstar Taylor Swift on her global “Eras” tour has returned to Israel to fight in its ongoing war against Hamas. Eran Swissa, an entertainment...

Jeff Tweedy plays Debbie Friedman's "Mi Shebeirach" in an undated video. (

Ahead of St. Louis show, Belleville native, Wilco singer Jeff Tweedy offers Jewish prayer for healing amid Israel-Hamas war

Shira Li Bartov, JTA • Published October 16, 2023

(JTA) — The Israel-Hamas war has elicited a chorus of celebrity responses, from Bono’s in-concert callout to Pete Davidson’s somber monologue on “Saturday Night Live.” Now Grammy-winning...

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.

Spurred by Israel-Hamas war, GOP makes Republican Jewish Coalition a partner in the next presidential debate

Ron Kampeas, JTA • Published October 16, 2023

WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Republican Jewish Coalition will cosponsor the next Republican presidential debate, a sign that Hamas’ invasion of Israel, and the ensuing war, will take center-stage when...

Noa Tishby

Keynote speaker change for L’Chaim event brings inspirational Noa Tishby to St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer • Published October 16, 2023

In the face of an unexpected challenge, the organizers of L’Chaim 2023 quickly transformed an obstacle into an opportunity. Last week, the organizers received the unfortunate news...

An undated photo of Wadea Al-Fayoum, the 6-year-old boy stabbed to death in a Chicago suburb on Oct. 14, 2023.

6-year-old Palestinian-American boy killed in Illinois in apparent hate crime

Ron Kampeas, JTA • Published October 16, 2023

(JTA) — Police in the Chicago suburb of Plainfield arrested a man on Saturday for killing a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy and wounding his mother, a violent act police attributed to islamophobia...

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