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

Vice President Kamala Harris and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, left, speak to the press while making a stop at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (Ryan Collerd / AFP via Getty Images)

Here’s why Jews are excited — and nervous — about a Democratic ticket that could include another Jew

Andrew Silow-Carroll • Published July 23, 2024

In a 1974 novel by the Jewish writer Wallace Markfield, a character quips, “The time is at hand when the wearing of prayer shawl and skullcap will not bar a man from the White House — unless, of course,...

How to watch New Jewish Theaters 'Red' to better understand the story

How to watch New Jewish Theaters ‘Red’ to better understand the story

Jordan Palmer, Special To The Jewish Light • Published July 23, 2024

Welcome to a new frontier in entertainment storytelling. In a world inundated with reviews and critiques do you ever find yourself overwhelmed? Musical theater specifically always made me feel this...

Author Gabrielle Zevin speaks about her bestseller "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" during the 28th Annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Los Angeles.

Chicago bookstore sparks outrage by banning bestselling author’s novel

Andrew Lapin, JTA • Published July 23, 2024

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,” Gabrielle Zevin’s novel about video game designers, has dominated the bestseller list for two years and was recently chosen as one of the New York Times’...

Netanyahu meets with hostage families in DC as pressure mounts for a deal

Philissa Cramer, JTA • Published July 23, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington, D.C. with families of Israeli hostages, one of his first stops on a highly anticipated trip to the United States and a sign of how much focus...

Jewish Federation of St. Louis building is now known as the Kaplan Feldman Complex. Photo: Bill Motchan

How JFed’s $9.5M surprise will help transform St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer • Published July 22, 2024

The Jewish Federation of St. Louis has rolled out its 2023 Impact Report, showcasing a substantial $9.5 million in community investments. These funds have been channeled into various programs supporting...

'Antisemitism is on the ballot' says group hoping to maximize St. Louis Jewish voter turnout

‘Antisemitism is on the ballot’ says group hoping to maximize St. Louis Jewish voter turnout

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer • Published July 22, 2024

In response to the daily reminders of increased antisemitic incidents around the country, the local group "St. Louis Votes" is launching a new effort to maximize Jewish voter turnout in our region. The...

David Halpern with Adam Heller, Jill Abramovitz, Samantha Massell, Barrie Kreinik and Cheryl Stern

Jewish actors reveal emotional connection to ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Muny

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light • Published July 21, 2024

The four actors playing the leads in the Muny Opera’s production of “Fiddler On The Roof” are all Jewish and they all find special meaning in their roles. That was one of the insights they shared...

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embrace on the tarmac at ben Gurion Airport, Oct. 18, 2023. (Avi Ohayon, Israel Government Press Office)

Joe Biden calls himself a Zionist and loves name-dropping Golda Meir. His exit marks an end of an era.

Ron Kampeas, JTA • Published July 21, 2024

If there is one story that defines Joe Biden’s relationship with Israel, it is the famous Golda Meir anecdote. At an Israeli embassy Independence Day bash in 2015, the then-vice president told the story...

Stella Levy, shown in 1970, commanded the IDF Women’s Corps for six years. Photo by Fritz Cohen, Israeli National Photo Collection, CC BY-SA 3.0

This week in Israeli history: July 18-24

CENTER FOR ISRAEL EDUCATION, ISRAELED.ORG • Published July 18, 2024

July 18, 1290 — England Expels Its Jews King Edward I orders the expulsion of the Jews from England, where they had settled in significant numbers only in the 11th century. Despite gaining legal protections...

Israeli and Palestinian Jerusalem Youth Chorus advances on ‘America’s Got Talent’ with performance of ‘Home’

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA • Published July 17, 2024

(JTA) — A chorus of Israeli and Palestinian teens won hearts, applause and a chance at $1 million with a successful “America’s Got Talent” audition that aired on Tuesday night. The Jerusalem...

Ben Poremba's 'The Benevolent King' closes doors: What went wrong?

Ben Poremba’s ‘The Benevolent King’ closes doors: What went wrong?

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light • Published July 17, 2024

The Benevolent King, the fine dining Maplewood restaurant owned by Israeli-born restauranteur Ben Poremba, has closed. In an Instagram post on July 17, Poremba announced the move and said, in part, “The...

A “Ceasefire Shabbat” service in St. Louis on Nov. 10.

A Jewish day school hired a former ceasefire activist. Then came the campaign to oust her.

Louis Keene, The Forward • Published July 17, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Tasha Kaminsky figured her politics might be a concern for the Jewish...

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