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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

Opinion

Henry I. Schvey is professor of drama and comparative literature at Washington University in St. Louis.

Don’t mistake Jerusalem decision for tzedakah

By Henry SchveyPublished December 14, 2017

So, let me understand this correctly: We have a president who has now generously decided that the United States should recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and move its embassy there. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,...

Rabbi Seth D. Gordon serves Traditional Congregation of Creve Coeur.

History will remember Trump for his decision on Jerusalem

By Rabbi Seth D. GordonPublished December 14, 2017

Initially, though I am a proud Zionist, I opposed President Donald Trump’s intention to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and I told my congregation so several weeks ago. I was, and remain, concerned that people, many people, would be killed....

Laura K. Silver is a trustee of the Jewish Light who writes a blog for the paper’s website (stljewishlight.com/laura). Laura is married and the mother of two middle school age children.

An exception to every rule

By Laura K. SilverPublished December 11, 2017

I don’t know about you, but I don’t really have a “thing.”  I have hobbies, yes, but a thing, not really.  I love to cook and I’m good at it.  Some people might even say I’m really good at it, but am I Julia Child or Ina Garten?  I’m...

Alan Spector is the author of five books and is working on books six and seven. His latest is “Body Not Recovered: A Vietnam War/Protest Movement Novel.” Spector also writes the stljewishlight.com blog “Retirement According to … Alan Spector.”

Your ideal week and year

By Alan SpectorPublished December 7, 2017

In a previous blog post, “Your Ideal Day,” I suggested that one good way to plan the non-financial aspects of your retirement is to identify what your ideal day would look like and then continually strive toward living that day.  I also mentioned...

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (second from right), marches at Selma with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Bunche, Rep. John Lewis, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and Rev. C.T. Vivian. (Courtesy of Susannah Heschel)

The Torch has passed—but to whom?

Robert A. Cohn, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished December 7, 2017

In today’s bitterly divisive political climate, alliances that were once enduring appear to have grown increasingly estranged from one another. A couple of recent events occurring within weeks of each other are reminders of the once solid relationship...

Eric Mink is a freelance writer and editor and teaches film studies at Webster University.  He is a former columnist for the St.  Louis Post-Dispatch and the Daily News in New York.  Contact him at ericmink1@gmail.com.

Alabama Senate race extraordinary in every way

BY ERIC MINKPublished December 7, 2017

Normally, a special election in Alabama, like those that occasionally pop up in all states, would be an ordinary event of little interest to people outside the state’s borders.The election of Dec. 12, however, has become anything but ordinary.It initially...

Letters to the editor: Dec. 6, 2017

Published December 7, 2017

Reach Every Mother and Child ActDuring the holidays, it’s difficult to reconcile images of plentiful feasting — in media and at my own table — with the reality of poor nutrition for people in extreme poverty. I am especially moved by stories about...

Rabbi Randy Fleisher serves Central Reform Congregation.

T’ruah calls on our band of angels

BY RABBI RANDY FLEISHERPublished December 7, 2017

One of my favorite Jewish imaginings is that traveling with every single human being is a band of angels announcing to all who encounter them: “Make way for an image of God!” I take that to mean that every one of us carries within everything that...

Winners and losers as the US recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital

Michael J. KoplowPublished December 6, 2017

A patron at a Jerusalem pub watches as President Donald Trump recognizes the city as Israel’s capital, Dec. 6, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)(JTA) — President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and his announcement...

Alan R. Ludmer

Answering the Tell Me About Yourself Job Interview Question

Alan R. LudmerPublished December 5, 2017

Interviews are always challenging.  It is critical to prepare for key questions. One of interviewers favorite questions is "Tell me about yourself." It's a way to break the ice and make you feel more comfortable during the interview process. It's also...

Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Mental illness/mental health: Facing a community epidemic

Rabbi James Stone GoodmanPublished December 1, 2017

My wife Susan Talve and I hold a meeting the first Sunday of every month called Shanda: there is none. We are referring to mental illness, and we are working to overcome the shanda-shame barrier that we believe is an obstacle to getting the right kind...

Sarena Krojanker (left) and Hannah Turner on the subway in New York City during the Chabad trip.

Comfort and prayer with the tribe

BY HANNAH TURNERPublished November 30, 2017

I just found out that my grandfather has cancer. The prognosis is pretty terrible. If we’re lucky, he has a month to live. My sister and I have always affectionately called my grandfather Papa. He’s the sweetest Southern man you’ll ever meet. He...

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