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

Opinion

Each of us is an artist conjuring beauty, holiness

By Rabbi Elizabeth HershPublished February 29, 2024

Ki Tissa opens with God telling Moses to take a census of the Israelite people. Each shall contribute a half shekel. The wealthy should not pay more nor the less fortunate less. We read about details involving the priests as well as the commandment to...

Students hold up anti-Israel signs and Palestinian flags at an pro-Hamas protest in front of Sproul Hall at the University of California, Berkeley, on Oct. 25, 2023. Credit: Kefr4000 via Wikimedia Commons.

Are American Jews still trying to save Israel from itself?

Jonathan S. Tobin, JNSPublished February 27, 2024

For a few weeks after the Oct. 7 attacks, it seemed as if American Jewry was waking up. The massive pro-Israel rally held in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14 was an indication that large numbers of Jews—as many as 300,000 attended in person with an estimated...

Weve decoded the latest teenglish lingo so you dont have too

We’ve decoded the latest ‘teenglish’ lingo so you don’t have too

Amy Fenster Brown, Special To The Jewish LightPublished February 26, 2024

Kids these days. The older mine get the less I understand what they’re saying. I hear the words and I know they are words, but when strung together and spoken, they just don’t make sense.  In the past, I’ve helped you de-code what in tarnation...

Jewish students on the campus of the University of Missouri talk to police after a Shabbat Table was vandalized on campus.

Let’s talk about antisemitism on college campuses

Marty RochesterPublished February 21, 2024

In the wake of continued pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses that effectively rationalize the Hamas atrocities of Oct. 7 against Israel, it is worth further examining the stunning testimony of the three college presidents of University of Pennsylvania,...

The holiness in our DNA

Rabbi Josef DavidsonPublished February 21, 2024

Name tags: one either loves them or hates them; there is no in-between. Everyone, however, is in agreement that they serve a worthy purpose. Wearing a name tag alleviates the awkwardness that comes with recognizing the face but not the name. Name tags...

Jewish Jokes: Did you hear the one about Marks first day at work?

Jewish Jokes: Did you hear the one about Mark’s first day at work?

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 20, 2024

I was recently asked by the mother of an old friend, “Why I do a “Jewish Joke of the Day.” I responded and she thought I should share my answer. I believe as Jews, we love to laugh. I believe Jews love to laugh at themselves and laugh at the...

Spiritual Objectification: Understanding the sanctity within the heart

Rabbi James Stone GoodmanPublished February 15, 2024

In the portion Terumah, we encounter the first objectification of the spirit: The Sanctuary as it will house what was previously the unencumbered Spirit. God says, build the place out of Me: Make [of] Me a Mikdash/holy place, and I will dwell [Shakhanti/Shekhinah]...

Dorothy Firestone explains the salty side of life er, sodium!

Dorothy Firestone explains the ‘salty side of life’ er, sodium!

BY DOROTHY FIRESTONE, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished February 13, 2024

I have been cooking all 73 years of my married life, and I know when something needs salt or when it has enough.  But I knew little about sodium, a chief ingredient in salt. Then I was introduced to Sue Picus, a semi-retired registered dietician...

Why Im starting a rage journal for my health

Why I’m starting a ‘rage journal’ for my health

Amy Fenster BrownPublished February 12, 2024

(Starting this week, you now listen to Amy's column on YouTube or click the link above) Journaling is all the rage. That’s why I’m starting a Rage Journal. It’ll be healthy to get the anger out.  Life always needs new coping strategies, so when...

Rabbi Jordan Gerson

Why Jewish education is more important than ever after Oct. 7

RABBI JORDAN GERSONPublished February 8, 2024

In the days immediately following Oct. 7, Jewish professionals around the world knew that the landscape of Israel education would change forever. As the full spectrum of the atrocities carried out by Hamas terrorists came to light and the Israeli response...

Your letters to the editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light (Feb. 7 issue)

Your letters to the editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light (Feb. 7 issue)

Published February 8, 2024

Help the farmers of Israel I came home to Israel from University City over 41 years ago. As a child I remember in 1967 and 1973 U.S. Jews getting on planes to help Israel when there was a manpower shortage due to the war all the people called up to defend...

Understanding Repro Shabbat

Understanding Repro Shabbat

By Rabbi Andrea GoldsteinPublished February 8, 2024

This Shabbat, many congregations in St. Louis and across the country will be celebrating Repro Shabbat, a Shabbat dedicated to lifting up the Jewish values of reproductive freedom and justice.  Repro Shabbat occurs annually when Jews around the world...

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