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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

Obituaries

Ruth “Tootie” Kessler

Ruth “Tootie” Kessler

Published January 29, 2024

Ruth “Tootie” Kessler of St. Louis, MO and Pompano Beach, FL passed away peacefully Sunday, January 28, 2024 at the age of 93.  She was the beloved wife of 63 years of the late Norman Kessler, mother...

Bettijean Blumoff

Bettijean Blumoff

Published January 26, 2024

Bettijean Blumoff Betti, passed away suddenly and peacefully on January 25, 2024. She was 73 years old. Betti was kind, generous and very outgoing. Betti was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Loving daughter...

Judy Litvag Allen

Judy Litvag Allen

Published January 26, 2024

Judy Litvag Allen, January 25, 2024 Beloved wife of Stanley Allen; dear mother and mother-in-law of Jodi Allen (Rick Gordon) and Josh Allen (Melissa); dear grandmother of Seth Gordon, Jennifer Elfrink...

Lawrence Howard Weltman

Lawrence Howard Weltman

Published January 24, 2024

Lawrence Howard Weltman, May 31, 1943 – January 23, 2024 Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years...

Emily Lynn Alper

Emily Lynn Alper

Published January 24, 2024

Emily Lynn Alper, May 27, 1986 – January 21, 2024 Cherished daughter of Steve and Ellen (Redler) Alper; older sister and best friend of Melissa and Wade Forrester and Andi Alper; doting aunt...

Director Norman Jewison and actor Chaim Topol (Tevye) share a laugh on the set of the 1971 film “Fiddler on the Roof.” Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films.

Norman Jewison, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ director and lifelong friend of the Jews, dies at 97

ANDREW LAPIN, JTAPublished January 22, 2024

(JTA) – In a 2022 documentary on the making of the 1971 film “Fiddler on the Roof,” Norman Jewison relayed a by-now familiar anecdote: When producers of the Broadway musical approached him for the...

Alan Popkin

Alan Popkin

Published January 21, 2024

Alan Popkin passed away peacefully on January 20, 2023 at his home in St. Louis, Missouri. He was 89 years old. Alan believed strongly in being honest, accepting others for who they are, and going after...

Obituary

James Lee “JJ” Watel Jr.

Published January 19, 2024

James Lee "JJ" Watel Jr. passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024. Son of the late Esther and Jim Watel, brother of Lucie Watel, Jenny Watel, and Abby Watel Nellans. JJ had struggled with mental...

Myra Irene Levine

Myra Irene Levine

Published January 19, 2024

Myra Irene Levine, January 18, 2024 Beloved wife of the late Robert Levine; dear mother of Lisa Levine, Michael Levine (Licia Terranova), and Scott Levine (Margaretta Mendenhall), and Paula McMaster;...

Michael Scissors

Michael Scissors

Published January 17, 2024

Michael Scissors, loving husband of Lori Scissors, passed away surrounded by his family on January 16, 2024. He is the father of Benjamin Scissors and Jacob Scissors (Brigid); son of Judi Scissors...

Richard Benkof

Richard Benkof

Published January 17, 2024

Richard Benkof, January 11, 2024 It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Richard Benkof, husband of Phyllis Cucchi Benkof, brother of Barbara Bianco, Nancy Benkof (Paul...

William Lee "Bill" Nussbaum

William Lee “Bill” Nussbaum

Published January 17, 2024

William Lee "Bill" Nussbaum passed away on January 12, 2024 in Pompano Beach, FL at the age of 83. He is survived by his sister Betty Kerman, and his 2 children: William Lee Nussbaum, Jr. (Glenn...

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