Timelines only go so far The sestercentennial of St. Louis is yet one more occasion to review and celebrate the history of Jewish life in the Gateway to the West. Bob Cohn’s Feb. 19 “Cohnipedia” column about B’nai El is but one lovely effort...

Leo Frank and anti-Semitism in the U.S.In his Feb. 26 commentary (“A ‘Frank’ look at American anti-Semitism”), David Benkof questions “why so many American Jews felt besieged” by anti-Semitism when it appeared the exception rather than the...

Cultural Leadership's impactI want to thank Gene Carton for his comments (letter to the editor, Feb. 5) regarding our award-winning high school and new middle school programs. Cultural Leadership was created in 2004 to address serious segregation and...

IntermarriageIt’s not a coincidence that the lead story Feb. 5 on intermarriage (“After lull, intermarriage debate reignited”) coincided with the Torah reading of the week, Tetzaveh. In the reading, we find the mitzvah of lighting the menorah and...

Response to editorial Once again, the Jewish Light knows best when it comes to Israel, this time with a skewed interpretation of Secretary of State John Kerry’s inflammatory comments and not so veiled threats of international sanctions and a new Intifada...

Clarifying plans for Covenant PlaceA recent letter to the editor in The Jewish Light (Jan. 1) reflects a number of inaccuracies or misunderstanding concerning Covenant Place’s redevelopment plans. The correct information is set forth in this letter.First,...

Jewish Community StudyThank you for the recent article about the St. Louis Jewish Community Study (“Federation plans demographic study of local Jewish community,” Jan. 8).  As you reported, Federation’s study is being done for the benefit of our...

Response to editorialIn the Jan. 1 editorial, “Carrot and Shtick,” the Jewish Light correctly points out that Nentanyahu froze “settlement” building four years ago to no avail. The editorial attributes this failure to “slow play” by the Palestinians...

Remembering Dr.  J. Lester ZeffrenMuch has been written in the St. Louis Jewish Light about the historic significance of Jewish Hospital to medical care in St. Louis.  The passing of Dr. J. Lester Zeffren gives those of us who practice medical oncology,...

Jefferson Barracks burialA shock came over me a few weeks past when I was at a local Jewish funeral home to make plans for my wife and I. When I informed them that we wished to be buried at Jefferson Barracks they informed us that we better check with...

A note of thanksThanks to the Jewish Light for publicizing the at-large opening on the allocation committee of the Rabbi Robert P. Jacobs Jewish Fund for Human Needs (JFHN). It was extremely gratifying to see the large outpouring of interest in this position....

However you spell it...In the Nov. 27 Jewish Light we discover reference to Chanukah, Hanukah, Hanukkah, and Hannukah.  The Jewish mind has unleashed the power of the atom, discovered cures for once-killer diseases, placed a man on the moon, and developed...