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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

Signs Yom Kippur is almost here in Israel

JUDY LASH BALINT, JNSPublished September 29, 2022

(JNS) Is there any other country in the world that goes silent once a year for more than 24 hours? In Israel, from the eve of Yom Kippur (Tuesday, Oct. 4) until an hour after sunset the next night, there’s no traffic apart from emergency vehicles,...

D'var Torah: Every generation finds a leader it needs for its time

D’var Torah: Every generation finds a leader it needs for its time

RABBI CARNIE SHALOM ROSEPublished September 29, 2022

Parashat Vaylech is the shortest parashah in the corpus of the lectionary, the weekly readings of the Torah as we have them in our shuls. Yet despite its brevity, it possesses several critical teachings intended not only for our ancestors, the Ancient...

High Holiday prayers not working for you? Try remixing metaphors

ANDREW SILOW-CARROLL, JTAPublished September 25, 2022

(JTA) — One of the centerpieces of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur liturgy is the “Avinu Malkeinu” prayer — Our Father, Our King. It’s a desperate and emotional appeal for forgiveness, set to powerful melodies over the centuries.  It’s...

Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh

Facing the future with teshuvah

BY RABBI ELIZABETH HERSHPublished September 23, 2022

I was 6 years old when Harry Chapin’s song “Cat’s in the Cradle” debuted. It resurfaced in my life during my high school youth group years. Remember sitting around a campfire during Havdalah? The song session afterward always included this iconic...

Is Rosh Hashanah a serious day or not?

Is Rosh Hashanah a serious day or not?

Mimi David, Special For The Jewish LightPublished September 22, 2022

Rosh Hashanah can seem confusing. On one hand, we know it is the Day of Judgment, a day on which the future of every human being and really of the entire world is discerned.   On the other hand, it is a day of celebration. We wear our nicest clothes,...

Letters To The Editor – Sept 7, 2022

Published September 21, 2022

Look at evidence in school safety debate In response to the letter to the editor from Gene Carton in your Aug. 24 issue (“Arming educators and clergy could help curb violence”), the author cites no study or evidence or any statistics behind his position...

How not to ask for time off on the Jewish holidays

How not to ask for time off on the Jewish holidays

By ELI GOTTLIEB, JTAPublished September 21, 2022

(JTA) — “Hey Allies: Please don’t schedule meetings or events on the Jewish holidays!” So says a meme that has circulated widely before about the dates for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Seems like a pretty harmless and...

For the sin we have sinned by making people feel unwelcome at synagogues

Published September 20, 2022

(JTA) — I have been shocked lately by the number of my friends who have left synagogues because of a pattern of unkind remarks from rabbinic and volunteer leaders. A Jew-by-choice belittled. A twenty-something shamed. A professional demeaned.  Jewish...

Three ways to give smarter during the High Holy Days

Three ways to give smarter during the High Holy Days

By Buckingham Wealth Advisor John Corn, CPA, PFS, Special For The Jewish LightPublished September 20, 2022

The High Holy Days are just around the corner. Some of my fondest childhood memories involve spending time with family, listening to the sounds of the Shofar, devouring apples dipped in honey and overloading on challah. As we get older, many of us begin...

Dear Reader: Our love / hate relationship with honey cake

Dear Reader: Our love / hate relationship with honey cake

Published September 19, 2022

Dear reader, Honey cake is the sweet baked treat many Jews eat on Rosh Hashanah to bring in a sweet Jewish New Year. For many, the cake has come to be a symbol. As children, the smells and flavors that emanated from the kitchens of our families are...

Queen Elizabeth mattered. Civil religion explains why.

Published September 18, 2022

(JTA) — I am one of those people who gobble up films and television shows about the royal family almost as soon as they come out. And yet, watching “The Crown,” my thoughts would run like this: “This is great television,” I would say after...

Here’s why you should watch ‘Mo’ on Netflix

Published September 13, 2022

(JTA) — When I spoke recently at a conference on fighting antisemitism, I offered up one practical suggestion that might have surprised attendees: “I hope you’ll watch ‘Mo’ on Netflix.” I was on a panel called “Combating Hate Through Coalition...

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