Skip to Main Content
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

Newsmakers

Nancy Giannasi

Nancy Giannasi recognized multiple ways after 30 years of service

Published June 21, 2023

Nancy Giannasi was selected by the Ranken Jordan Bridge Hospital board as their first volunteer to be featured on Making a Difference, a segment on KSDK with Mike Bush. After retiring after 30+ years as an occupational therapist, she began volunteering...

Debra Klevens

Debra Klevens to teach next year at Clayton High School

Published June 21, 2023

Debra Klevens will begin teaching at Clayton High School in August as the newspaper teacher. She will be working with other teachers to converge the newspaper, yearbook and broadcast programs. Klevens attends United Hebrew Congregation and is secretary...

Vince DeBlasi

Vince DeBlasi named Teacher of the Year

Published June 21, 2023

Vince DeBlasi was selected by West Newsmagazine as the 2023 Excellence in Education Teacher of the Year.  He just finished his 17th year of teaching at Lafayette High School, where he taught sociology, economics and personal finance, Civil War and world...

Erin Grossman

Erin Grossman assumes new role at American College of Emergency Physicians

Published June 21, 2023

Erin Grossmann, originally from St. Louis, started a new job as manager of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Washington, D.C. She is responsible for responding to federal regulations on behalf of the college and managing relationships between...

Alec Baris

Alec Baris joins Federation staff

Published June 21, 2023

Alec Baris has joined the staff at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis as a community campaign associate in the development department. He will be working with donors giving less than $1,000 to develop donor relationships and encourage increased fundraising,...

Daniel Hearst

Daniel Hearst joins Federation staff

Published June 21, 2023

Daniel Hearst joined the staff of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis as development officer for the Young Professionals Division (YPD). He is responsible for creating a thriving community of Jewishly engaged young adults who are empowered and committed...

Zach Hearst

Inspiring film maker Zach Hearst earns mulitple film awards

Published June 21, 2023

Zach Hearst’s film “Pineapple” swept the University of Arizona’s Magic Hour Awards with Best Film and Best Acting Ensemble. The 2023 Magic Hour was a free screening of 11 short fiction films made by students in the School of Theatre, Film &...

Larimore Shoes

Art for your feet! Artist Cindy Larimore offers custom Birkenstock sandals

Published June 21, 2023

Cindy Larimore, owner of Art by Lari, was selected to join Michael Grey’s Collaborative Artist’s Capsule, which takes individual artists’ work and displays them on Birkenstock sandals manufactured by the Michael Grey Sandal Factory. Larimore is...

Rob Friedman

United States Air Force promotes Rob Friedman

Published June 21, 2023

Former St. Louisan, Rob Friedman, was recently promoted to the rank of Major (O-4) in the United States Air Force. He served many years on active duty and is currently an active drilling reservist with the 913th Airlift Group (Little Rock Air Force Base...

Rachel Bray

Rachel Bray starts new role at JCRC

Published June 21, 2023

Rachel Bray is the new communications and engagements coordinator at the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). In this newly created role, she will plan and implement communications strategies, enhance JCRC’s visibility and promote positive community...

Neshama Roash

Neshama Roash’s photo “The Elder” on exhibit in New York

Published June 20, 2023

“The Elder,” by photographer Neshama Roash, will be on display in the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, N.Y. for the Art that Matters to the Planet – Interconnectivity exhibit. Opening June 24 and on view through Oct. 8, the exhibit...

Mitchell Smith and Samara Landy

Mitchell Smith and Samara Landy elected to USY board

Published June 8, 2023

Mitchell Smith and Samara Landy of Congregation B’nai Amoona were elected to the Emtza Region USY board. Mitchell, son of Jennifer and Matt Smith, is the new president. He will be a senior at Parkway Central High School in the fall. Samara is the...

Load More Stories