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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

Letters To Editor

Letter: Support for Missouri IHRA antisemitism bill

Rick Cornfeld, Creve CoeurPublished March 13, 2026

I am mystified that the antisemitism bill in the legislature has become controversial in parts of the Jewish community, Many opponents base their argument on the assertion that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)  definition of antisemitism,...

Remembering Rabbi Bernard Lipnick

Published January 28, 2026

The omission of any reference to Rabbi Bernard Lipnick from the Light’s lead article on “25 Years of History” of St. Louis’” (which highlighted numerous prominent Jewish leaders in our city) is surprising.  He was the chief rabbi at B’ nai...

JCRC meeting shows vibrant community

Published January 28, 2026

On the Monday night following the firebombing of the Mississippi synagogue, the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis held its first meeting of the year. The council provides a forum for sharing concerns among Jewish and social justice agencies,...

St. Louis Friends of Israel Co-President responds to recent letter

St. Louis Friends of Israel Co-President responds to recent letter

Galit Lev-Harir, Co-President, St. Louis Friends of IsraelPublished September 22, 2025

In a Sept. 3 letter to the editor, Rabbi Emeritus Mark Shook responded to an op-ed of mine published in the Light and accused me of suggesting that “when the going gets tough for Jews in America, the Jews are supposed to just up and leave the problems...

Torah milestone deserves kudos

Published July 9, 2025

I read with great interest the article about Stanley Estrin reading from every Torah portion (“Milestone on the bimah,” June 18). Congratulations to Stanley, a great guy and a relative of mine (by marriage). I would be remiss, however, if I did...

The J: Important community institution deserves support

The J: Important community institution deserves support

Norman Pressman, Clayton, Mo.Published June 18, 2025

My family has been members of the Jewish Community Center (the J) since 1971. I’ve been a fitness club member since the 1980s.  I’ve noticed many contemporaries have decided not to renew their memberships because of other lower cost gyms. We have...

Letter’s to the Editor – May 21 Issue

Published May 21, 2025

A rabbi’s letter to  Jewish doctors I have just returned from a three-day conference in Washington, D.C. — Zionist Rabbinic Coalition. The ZRC rabbis are Orthodox, Reform and Conservative, among others. The ZRC mission is to support Israel and to...

Letters To The Editor – April 16 Issue

Letters To The Editor – April 16 Issue

Published April 21, 2025

Readers respond to rabbi’s commentary The April 2 edition contains a deeply disturbing commentary (“Should illegal immigrants be deported?”) by Rabbi Ze’ev Smason, in which he begins with a highly misleading metaphor for people he refers to as...

Letters To The Editor – April 2 Issue

Letters To The Editor – April 2 Issue

Published April 3, 2025

Seeking community’s support  As we near the celebration of Passover, we thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you and for helping our community thrive.  The St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association (STLRCA) is the only clergy organization...

Letters To The Editor - Jan. 22 Issue

Letters To The Editor – Jan. 22 Issue

Published January 22, 2025

Embrace our Judaism In response to the question asked by the article “Can science finally stop antisemitism?” (online, Jan. 6), the answer is of course, No. Trying to educate people out of their hostility to Jews will never work, it cannot work....

Letters To The Editor - Jan 8th Issue

Letters To The Editor – Jan 8th Issue

Published January 8, 2025

Readers respond to recent d’var Torah Rabbi James Bennett’s recent commentary (“Can we change history by thinking before we speak or act,” Dec. 18 edition) is an important conversation-starter about the limits of Jewish communal discourse. I...

Letters To The Editor

Letters To The Editor

Published December 18, 2024

Praise for rabbi’s recent commentaries We are very impressed with the articles that Rabbi Ze’ev Smason submits to the Jewish Light. He always sheds a light on the truth and shares his exemplary wisdom to the Jewish people. We always look forward...

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