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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

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

Can you fight antisemitism without silencing speech? Missouri bill puts that to the test

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished April 10, 2025

House Bill 937 passed in the Missouri House of Representatives on April 10, by a vote of 108 to 10. The bill creates protections against antisemitism and discrimination in public schools and colleges. Another...

The Passover Project Players back on stage for 2025.

Standing room only—and no matzah ball soup left—at St. Louis’ musical seder

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 8, 2025

How do I know the Passover Project: A Musical Seder was a hit? The venue ran out of matzah ball soup. And tickets too. That was the scene Tuesday night, April 8, at City Winery in the Foundry, where...

No bourbon, no beer, no problem: 5 drinks that are totally Passover-approved

No bourbon, no beer, no problem: 5 drinks that are totally Passover-approved

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 7, 2025

As someone who’s written about beer and whiskey for over a decade, I always get the same question around this time of year: Is beer kosher? But Jewish drinkers should be asking a more specific question—is...

Shir Hadash to offer ‘Journey into Hebrew Reading’ class

Shir Hadash to offer ‘Journey into Hebrew Reading’ class

Published April 7, 2025

Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Community will offer “Letters & Learning: A Journey into Hebrew Reading,” a unique Hebrew class for both beginners and those looking to refresh their Hebrew reading...

Meet the Jewish St. Louis rock stars chasing their dreams after dark

Meet the Jewish St. Louis rock stars chasing their dreams after dark

By BILL MOTCHAN and Jordan PalmerPublished April 7, 2025

A common fantasy for many teenagers is becoming a rock star.  There are plenty of Jewish role models: Drake, Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz, Pink, Bob Dylan. Alas, success as a performing musician is an elusive...

Deborah Ben-Aderet and Arielle Turover Cohen.

From terror to healing: survivor of Oct. 7 attack shares her story in St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 7, 2025

A powerful night of resilience, reflection, and healing is coming to St. Louis. On April 28, just two days before Israel’s official day of remembrance, the local community will hear directly from Deborah...

Lisa Klein holds her newborn daughter, Annie, in 2012. Above, Annie today with her father, Thomas Klein, and “godmother” Angela Brenner.

Thirteen years after losing her mom, Annie Klein prepares for a bat mitzvah to remember

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished April 6, 2025

Annie Klein will step into the spotlight as a bat mitzvah at Congregation B’nai Amoona on June 28. That evening, friends and family from around the world will gather at the Shack in Chesterfield for...

Rabbi Rocki Schy-Brunson

Temple Emanuel’s new rabbi brings warmth, vision—and a passion for community

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 6, 2025

Temple Emanuel is getting ready to welcome a new face to its leadership team. Rabbi Rocki Schy-Brunson, a soon-to-be graduate of Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), will step...

Bosnian cemetery

Holocaust Museum confronts the Bosnian genocide 30 years ago

Published April 3, 2025

Thirty years ago, in a town most Americans had never heard of, one of the worst atrocities since the Holocaust unfolded. On April 6, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum will help make sure the...

Why St. Louis still matters in Ukraine’s Jewish relief efforts

Why St. Louis still matters in Ukraine’s Jewish relief efforts

Published April 3, 2025

The Ukraine war is now in its third year. But while headlines about the conflict — and about Jewish communities caught in the middle — have become fewer and farther between, the need hasn’t disappeared....

Danny Cohn, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Big night of giving: JFed celebrates $8.7M in impact, honors community leaders

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 3, 2025

The Jewish Federation of St. Louis celebrated its annual evening of impact on Wednesday, April 2, at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum with more than 100 people in attendance. Federation...

Covenant Place III Ribbon Cutting with Harvey and Wilma Gerstein.

Gerstein legacy lives on: Covenant Place celebrates milestone and dedicates social hall

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished April 2, 2025

The demand for affordable housing for older adults is constantly growing. The St. Louis Jewish community long ago recognized that need and has provided a variety of options. They include Covenant Place,...

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