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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

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, the St. Louis Jewish community faces deep divisions over war

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, the St. Louis Jewish community faces deep divisions over war

BY RABBI KAREN BOGARDPublished September 25, 2024

This year, our post-Oct. 6th reality seems omnipresent as we approach the Yamim Nora’im, the High Holy Days. The impact of the horrific actions taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, and the resulting loss of life and ongoing war, have cast a shadow on the joyfulness...

She’s married to the king of futzing. Now that he’s retired, should he do more housework?

She’s married to the king of futzing. Now that he’s retired, should he do more housework?

By Beth HarpazPublished September 10, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. A Bintel Brief, Yiddish for a bundle of letters, has been solving reader dilemmas since 1906. Send yours via email, social...

I don’t belong to a synagogue. Can I be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

I don’t belong to a synagogue. Can I be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

By Beth Harpaz, The ForwardPublished September 9, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. A Bintel Brief, Yiddish for a bundle of letters, has been solving reader dilemmas since 1906. Send yours via email ([email protected]),...

What to do when you promised to go to a wedding that’s scheduled for Yom Kippur? Illustration by AI/Canva/Beth Harpaz

My dear friends’ wedding is on Yom Kippur. How do I reconcile my obligations?

By Beth Harpaz, The ForwardPublished September 8, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. A Bintel Brief, Yiddish for a bundle of letters, has been solving reader dilemmas since 1906. Send yours via email, social...

Is a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict inevitable?

Is a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict inevitable?

Marty RochesterPublished August 21, 2024

When thinking of the possibility of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, something that invites skepticism among many Jews and others, I am reminded of an old saying: “On the eve of most revolutions, they are thought to be unimaginable; on the morning...

People protest for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza, outside the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv. Oct. 15, 2023.

Oct. 7 changed the world in ways we never saw coming

By Stacey NewmanPublished August 21, 2024

The office has been cleaned out, campaign photos and signs stripped from the walls, and goodbye hugs given to college interns and staff. Just a few weeks ago, St. Louis Democratic primary voters chose a new candidate, St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley...

Is Tisha B’Av still meaningful after Oct. 7?

Is Tisha B’Av still meaningful after Oct. 7?

Susan Talve, The ForwardPublished August 12, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Ten years ago, on Aug. 9, 2014, 18-year-old Michael Brown Jr. was shot by a local police officer in Ferguson, Missouri....

Reject choice between ethics and competence — you can’t have one without the other

By Rabbi Yonason GoldsonPublished August 8, 2024

This column is not about politics. It’s about leadership. It’s about how leaders who communicate honestly, inspire trust and model integrity achieve enduring success while promoting positive cultural change. That’s why I try to avoid any discussion...

Josh Shapiro

Shapiro need not apologize for a op-ed he wrote 31 years ago

David Suissa (Jewish Journal via JNS)Published August 4, 2024

“I do not believe that the Israelis and the Palestinians have achieved peace, nor do I believe that this will mark an end to the blood and tears,” the 20-year-old student argued in a 1993 op-ed in his college paper. This wasn’t a popular view at...

‘Lowcuterie’ and other random ideas I have to share

‘Lowcuterie’ and other random ideas I have to share

Amy Fenster Brown, Special To The Jewish LightPublished July 24, 2024

I have a lot of random ideas swimming around in my head. They’re doing laps, jumping off the high dive and frankly just taking up space. It’s time to purge my flooded brain.   • Charcuterie boards can be so impressive, elaborate and inviting....

In a screen grab captured from a video, Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump appears to be injured after gunshots were reported at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. (Anadolu/Getty Images)

Trump and Rabin: Two assassination attempts with different outcomes

Rob Eshman, The ForwardPublished July 14, 2024

Rob Eshman reported this story from the streets of Jerusalem. JERUSALEM — The rifle shots that rang out in Pennsylvania, nearly killing former President Donald Trump, echoed in Israel as well.  In a country that is too familiar with political violence...

Rep. Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat, joins university union representatives and  other lawmakers at a press conference to advocate for the protection of free speech on campuses, at the U.S. Capitol, May 23, 2024. (Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Progressive Jews of St. Louis defend Cori Bush’s record

Published July 11, 2024

As members of the St. Louis Jewish community, we are compelled to respond to a recent letter by some area Rabbis that mischaracterizes the record of Congresswoman Cori Bush. Bush is a supporter of peace and as a co-sponsor of Representative Haley Steven’s...

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