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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

Ohr Chadash Teen Page

Ben Schenberg performs at Rock, Chalk, Shabbat at University of Kansas. Photo courtesy of Ben Schenberg.

Jewish life influences students’ college decisions

By Greg svirnovskiy, Junior, Marquette High SchoolPublished January 11, 2017

For high schoolers all over the country, senior year has become synonymous with one thing: the college selection process.  This month, thousands of seniors will learn the results of their early decisions and early action applications just as millions...

Jewish teens speak out about the future of the nation

By Anya Tullman, Sophomore, Ladue Horton Watkins High SchoolPublished January 11, 2017

Unprecedented. Shocking. Upsetting. Uplifting. These words and many others have been used to describe Donald Trump’s election as America’s 45th president. Some cheered. Some cried. However, no matter which candidate a person voted for, most Americans...

Jewish rock musician Rick Recht is the founder of Jewish Rock Radio and co-founder of Songleader Boot Camp. Photo courtesy of Rick Recht.

Jewish rocker Rick Recht sings and shares his passions

By Megan Rubenstein, Junior, Parkway North High SchoolPublished January 11, 2017

Rick Recht is a household name in the St. Louis Jewish community. The Jewish rock musician, a St. Louis native, has had an impact on Jewish teens and the Jewish community for many years. Recht is founder of Jewish Rock Radio, co-founder of Songleader...

In early November, Yeshivat Kadimah High School’s basketball team participated in the Cooper Invitational, an annual basketball tournament for Jewish high schools, held  in Memphis.

Small school, small team, big values

By Ethan Fine, Freshman, Eureka High SchoolPublished December 15, 2016

Yeshivat Kadimah High School is a small school with big values. With roughly 30 students in the entire school, the students are able to bond through a variety of activities. One of these activities, which is relatively popular, is basketball. The Kadimah...

Rabbi Susan Talve (center) delivers a blessing as U.S. President Barack Obama hosts Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (second from right) for a Hanukkah reception at the White House in Washington on Dec. 9. Also pictured is U.S. first lady Michelle Obama. Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

‘I’d do it again,’ Rabbi Talve says of White House Hanukkah blessing

By Gabe Fleisher, Freshman, John Burroughs SchoolPublished December 15, 2016

The White House Hanukkah Party is a fairly new tradition in Washington D.C., spanning back to the beginning of President George W. Bush’s administration. Each year, the president welcomes a gathering of Jewish leaders into the White House and chooses...

The Marquette High School Politics Club with special guest State Rep. Bill Otto. Photo courtesy of Greg Sirnovsky.  

How does Judaism shape students’ political beliefs?

By Greg Sirnovsky, Junior, Marquette High SchoolPublished November 11, 2016

At 3:05 p.m. every other Thursday, Tali Gorodetsky, a sophomore at Marquette High School, runs down the hall from her seventh-hour math room, meeting friends in the history wing for an hour and 15 minutes of spirited debate in the MHS Politics Club.Tali...

St. Louis teens are having an impact on regional NCSY

By Harrison Friedman, Senior, Fasman Yeshiva High SchoolPublished November 11, 2016

National Conference of Synagogue Youth (NCSY) has long had an impact on Jewish teenagers, starting with the formation of regional chapters beginning in 1951. The first, Midwest Synagogue Youth Organization, began in Peoria, Ill., and participating cities...

Writer Melanie Sallis (left), Romi Rubanovich (center) and Mahika Mushi (right) celebrate the success of their  club’s drive for Miles Davis Elementary School.  “Make A Change” filled a school bus with school supplies for the school. Photo courtesy of Melanie Sallis. 

High school juniors wish to “make a change”

By Melanie Sallis, Junior, Marquette High SchoolPublished November 11, 2016

“Think globally, act locally” is the slogan of a new club at Marquette High School known as Make a Change. Three juniors at Marquette decided to begin this club because they were inspired by the United Nations’ Global Goals. Romi Rubanovich, one...

Stacey Newman is Missouri state representative of the 87th District, which includes Clayton and parts of Brentwood, Ladue, Richmond Heights and University City.

Daughter helped spur Rep. Newman to advocacy work

BY ANYA TULLMAN, SOPHOMORE, LADUE HIGH SCHOOLPublished November 11, 2016

Gun control, women’s reproductive rights, voting rights: Each is a hot-button issue in the news today, and all have become constant political topics and targets. Each also comes with abstract sides, opinions and controversy. All are issues that Missouri...

Colgate University freshman Max Baron at a BBYO event. Baron was able to attend BBYO events because of the One Happy Camper Foundation. Photo courtesy of Max Baron

Foundation gives grants to teens wanting Jewish camp experience

By Adam Rush, Sophomore, Ladue High SchoolPublished October 13, 2016

For many families, sending their children to a Jewish sleepaway camp is a long-standing tradition. Others parents would love to do the same for their children, but unfortunately cannot afford the cost. That’s where the One Happy Camper Foundation steps...

Yael Trager (left) is in St. Louis for a two-year stint as a shlicha (Israeli emissary), taking part in a variety of Israel education programs. 

Israeli emissary makes a difference in St. Louis

By Noga Melnick, Senior, John Burroughs SchoolPublished October 13, 2016

Meet Yael Treger, an outstanding young woman from Karmiel, Israel. Treger decided to become a shlicha (Israeli emissary) after completing four years of army service.“I wanted to become a shlicha because I wanted to have the chance to bring a different...

Ethan Fine attends Eureka High School, a school with a small Jewish population.  Youth groups provide Jewish students in a similar situation with a way to connect to Judaism.

Students adapt to non-Jewish environments by joining youth groups

By Ethan Fine, Freshman, Eureka High SchoolPublished October 13, 2016

Being different can be difficult, especially if you’re from a different culture than the mainstream. Whether it’s at school, in the neighborhood, or in the world, often times  Jews are often in the minority. “I’m the only Jewish person a lot...

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