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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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A picture collage of the 40 Israeli schoolchildren under the age of 18 being held by Hamas in Gaza. Source: X.

Israel posts pics of the 40 kids held hostage by Hamas in Gaza

Published November 20, 2023

On Monday, World Children’s Day, Israel tweeted a picture collage of the 40 Israelis under the age of 18 being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The day commemorates the Declaration of the Rights...

Samuel Klagsbrun, Israel Francus and Avraham Holtz were on the faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary. (Via JTS)

Conservative Judaism’s flagship mourning death of 3 influential scholars

Andrew Silow-Carroll, JTAPublished November 20, 2023

(JTA) — The Jewish Theological Seminary community is in mourning after three revered scholars long associated with the Conservative movement flagship died within days of each other. Israel Francus,...

Abraham Matt from the United States. Credit: Courtesy.

100 Jewish young men and women make ‘aliyah’ to enlist in IDF

Noam Dvir, JNSPublished November 20, 2023

Some 100 young Jewish men and women from around the world have decided to make aliyah and enlist in the Israel Defense Forces as Israel wages war against the Hamas terrorist organization. In a month,...

What the 'DaVinci Code' did for the Catholic Church, Rabbi Shook's book does for Judaism

What the ‘DaVinci Code’ did for the Catholic Church, Rabbi Shook’s book does for Judaism

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished November 20, 2023

In 2013, when Rabbi Emeritus Mark Shook of Congregation Temple Israel first became a published author, the title of his novel was "Ezra's Scroll." The book was a story of modern intrigue mixed with...

Jewish students share concerns and unsettling experiences on SLU campus

Jewish students share concerns and unsettling experiences on SLU campus

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished November 20, 2023

Since Hamas' attack on Israel, antisemitism is surging across campuses including incidents of violence against Jewish students. While no violence has been reported at Saint Louis University, some Jewish...

Who is in this 1972 photo from Camp Nat Koplar?

Who is in this 1972 photo from Camp Nat Koplar?

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished November 19, 2023

This week’s “Blast From The Past” photo features some very cute and well-mannered St. Louis preschoolers. The photo appeared on page 15 of the August 2, 1972 issue of the St. Louis Jewish...

Actor Jason Alexander holds a picture of 9-year-old Ohad Munder-Zichri, Nov. 18, 2023. Source: X.

Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame speaks up for Hamas captive

JNSPublished November 19, 2023

Jason Alexander, famous for his role in the sitcom “Seinfeld,” joined in calling for the immediate release of the captives who have been held by the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip for 44 days. Alexander...

500 Strong: St. Charles community unites for Israel

500 Strong: St. Charles community unites for Israel

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished November 19, 2023

Nearly 500 Israel supporters gathered in Frontier Park in St. Charles on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 19 to call attention to the hostages held by Hamas and demand their safe return. “Bring them home” was...

Families of the Israelis held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza and march along with hundreds of Israelis towards the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, as part of a protest calling for the immediate release of the hostages, at the entrance to Jerusalem, November 18, 2023.

Reports swirl about a hostage release deal as thousands rally in Jerusalem

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished November 19, 2023

(JTA) — Tens of thousands of Israelis joined the families of many of the roughly 240 people held hostage by Hamas since Oct. 7 in a silent protest outside the offices of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...

Sammy Tweedy participated in the mass protests against Israel's judicial reform over the summer.

Belleville rock star’s son faces backlash for Israel support

BY GABE FRIEDMAN, JTAPublished November 16, 2023

(JTA) — One big turning point in Sammy Tweedy’s Jewish story took place when he was preparing for his bar mitzvah, and his rock star father, Wilco frontman and Belleville, IL native Jeff Tweedy, converted...

Not into baking a pie for Thanksgiving? The J is ready to do the work for you!

Not into baking a pie for Thanksgiving? The J is ready to do the work for you!

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished November 16, 2023

With these almost spring-like days here in St. Louis, it’s hard to imagine that Thanksgiving is next week. That means it’s time to start making your meal preparations. No matter what’s on your...

Brian’s mother is Eric's first cousin. He is from Kansas City. His mother and her family all grew up in St. Louis. Brian was a lone soldier serving in Nachal. This photo was taken in 2011 at his “Kova” ceremony after he endured a 48 hour non stop grueling hike as part of his training.

Why former St. Louisan Eric Sirkin is a life long supporter of Israel’s Lone Solider Center

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished November 16, 2023

The Lone Soldier Center aids 7,000 lone soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces by providing warm meals and a supportive community. The Center offers Shabbat and holiday meals for lone soldiers as well as...

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