This week marks the 30th anniversary of my becoming a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel. I’m a bit embarrassed to say that my memories of the event are rather cloudy.  I remember my Laura Ashley dress with the row of pink bows at the waist, I remember...

Warm, welcoming experience at St. Louis synagogues I have read with much interest the recent contributions that have called out synagogues for their unwelcoming environment. As someone who migrated to St. Louis just 34 years ago, I am unable to rely...

(JTA) — When I read the news about Kanye West, I didn’t know whether to turn off my phone, or throw it. I knew it would only be a matter of time before the emails and texts began rolling in: What do you think about Kanye? What’s to be done about...

Dear Reader, I'm a true sucker for a great love story and I'm a firm believer in the concept of beshert, the Yiddish word that means “destined” or “fated.” It can be used to describe all kinds of lucky or fortuitous situations, not just romantic...

As a certified mikvah mentor, I hear married Jewish women hesitate about going to the mikvah for a variety of reasons.  Many of these reasons are actually based on misconceptions about the mitzvah of mikvah, and I think it is time to publicly clear...

We should focus attention on more pressing issues The reactions in the Jewish community to the antisemitic remarks of the rapper Kanye West are, sadly, all too illustrative. While West’s comments will have no impact on future of the Jewish people,...

“What if I told you that your family was murdered for no reason at all? Now, ask yourself, what would you do?”  This heart-piercing question opens the Holocaust revenge drama “Plan A,” which is based on a true story. That special brand...

I’ll get to the point. Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt are Cardinals treasures. The ignorant comments by some that they caused our two-game loss needs to be addressed. Both of these men are great MLB players and exemplary citizens. Hitting...