‘Thank you’ from former Jewish Federation leaderI want to express my enormous thanks and gratitude to the Jewish Federation and the “Friends of Barry” Committee for the warm and gracious retirement party held in my honor, just prior to the ThriveLive...

Response to ‘Liberal intolerance’ op-edProfessor J. Martin Rochester’s defense of religious sensibilities (April 24 commentary, “Liberal Intolerance of Organized Religion”) does not call for him to set up “straw men” in the personae of “liberals.”...

Local hunger seder’s call to action Thanks to the Jewish Light for publishing the Op-Ed “An obligation to intervene on behalf of supplemental nutrition” (April 3 edition). The Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis (JCRC) and its Bohm Social...

‘Gatekeepers’ omits crucial pieces to understanding conflict In March, I went to see the film “Gatekeepers” (reviewed in the March 13 edition). I went with an open mind to learn more about Israel. I have to say that I am enormously disappointed...

The rabbi and the pope Bob Cohn’s “Cohnipedia” column (March 20) about the visit of the late Pope John Paul II to St. Louis also brought to mind many special memories.  Foremost among mine, also, was the role of the late Rabbi Robert Jacobs. As...

In memoriamI wish to pay tribute to my mentor, Harry Offenbach, who passed away in January at age 96.I knew Harry from his days in the schmatta business( selling dress slacks). But I really got to know him as senior mentor and inspirational leader of ...

Increasing student access to mental health servicesIn the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., President  Barack Obama outlined his recommendations to reduce and prevent gun violence. He highlighted the need to provide students with greater access...

Going greenI enjoyed the recent articles on the Jewish community and the environment. I applaud every institution that has adopted green consciousness as part of their Jewish consciousness. I’d like to share some concrete information that connects the...

Guns, gun violence out of control  Unlike so many of your letter writers, I’m not a constitutional lawyer, just an engineer. I take the second word of the Second Amendment, well-regulated, to mean that it is possible to regulate firearms which civilians...

Palestinians are no partner for peaceContrary to the statements in the editorial “ Hope Springs a Leak,” the side one chooses in the debate about peace is important, because facts matter.The painful reality is the Palestinians long have been more...

Jewish Food Pantry On behalf of the Jewish Family & Children’s Service, I want to thank you for providing several stories over the past year about our expanded Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry operation and the Max and Drew Erlich Center, our...

Sandy Hook tragedy Newtown, Conn: What’s the fuss? After all, restrictive laws aren’t going to change cultural mindsets. Yep, then we might as well repeal the 14th Amendment and put Jim Crow back in charge of labeling water fountains.   After all,...