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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

News

The Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Missouri Senate resolution affirms state’s support for Israel

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished March 26, 2025

A resolution introduced in the Missouri Senate on Feb. 17 recognizes the relationship between Israel and both the United States and Missouri. Senate Resolution 156 commends Israel as a friend and ally...

New Games, Old Glory! Pinball, rock climbing & poker shake up the 2025 Senior Olympics

New Games, Old Glory! Pinball, rock climbing & poker shake up the 2025 Senior Olympics

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 26, 2025

For pinball aficionados, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as the “THOK!” sound indicating you’ve earned a free game. Coming up in May, pinball wizards aged 50 and over can use their skill to...

Daniel Estrin, NPR’s international correspondent in Jerusalem

From St. Louis to Gaza: Daniel Estrin’s reporting wins top journalism honor

Published March 26, 2025

NPR won a 2025 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award for its coverage of the war in Gaza. The prestigious duPont-Columbia Award honors outstanding public service in audio and video reporting. Daniel Estrin,...

Sunday school students lead morning services at Temple B'nai Israel in Oklahoma City. (Ty Faulkner Branum)

Nearly a quarter of Americans raised Jewish have left the religion, survey says

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished March 26, 2025

Almost one in four U.S. adults raised Jewish do not identify as religiously Jewish anymore, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center. The study, published Wednesday, surveyed “religious...

Buzz Spector in his studio. Photo: Kristi Foster 

Buzz Spector brings art & memory back to St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 25, 2025

Few stories I’ve written have had a longer shelf life than the one I published last fall about Buzz Spector, the Jewish conceptual artist who’s been altering books—and how we view them—for more...

Federation CEO Danny Cohn addressing a crowd of more than 150 people on Monday evening.

Eye-opening study becomes roadmap to a stronger St. Louis Jewish community

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 25, 2025

A Community Study released on March 24 by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis will serve as a guide to form action steps and strengthen the Jewish community. During a town hall meeting March 24 at Federation,...

Sarah Kitchner in Chicago with Birthright.

She’s taking Mizzou students to Israel—here’s why it matters

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 25, 2025

When Sarah Kitchner first traveled to Israel, she knew it wouldn’t be her last visit. Now, as a Birthright Israel Fellow, the Mizzou Hillel educator is preparing to guide Jewish students through the...

Jessica Radloff, a St. Louis native and author launches "The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast."

St. Louis native Jessica Radloff launches ‘Big Bang Theory’ podcast, taking fans behind the scenes

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 25, 2025

Jessica Radloff, New York Times best-selling author of “The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series” and host and executive producer of "The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast,"...

L to R: Lillian Cooper as Texas, Spencer Davis Milford as the Emcee, Hailey Medrano as Sally, Otto Klemp as
Bobby, and Caroline Pillow as Fritzie

New Jewish Theatre’s hit show ‘Cabaret’ run has been extended

Gerry Kowarsky, Special to the Jewish LightPublished March 24, 2025

The character and story arcs are remarkably sharp, unified and moving in the superb production of “Cabaret” at the New Jewish Theatre. The action takes place in Germany in 1929 and 1930. The central...

Shmuel Goodman

He lost everything, beat cancer and rebuilt his life—here’s what he told St. Louis Jews

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 24, 2025

Shmuel Goodman didn’t come to St. Louis to talk theory—he came to tell the truth. About going broke. About beating cancer. About rebuilding a life with purpose, faith and accountability. As the featured...

Federation study reveals a highly engaged evolving Jewish community

Federation study reveals a highly engaged evolving Jewish community

BY BILL MOTCHAN AND ELLEN FUTTERMANPublished March 24, 2025

The Jewish population of the St. Louis metropolitan area is now estimated at approximately 45,800, according to the 2024 Greater St. Louis Jewish Community Study, set to be released today, March 24. The...

Lefty's Bagels, Facebook

This St. Louis bagel shop just donated 41,000 reasons to love them

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 21, 2025

You already know Lefty’s Bagels for their New York-style bagels, but here’s something else to love about them—they’re making sure those bagels do more than just fill stomachs. In 2024 alone,...

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