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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

From the reverent to the raunchy, YIVO’s vast archives of Yiddish life are reunited online

From the reverent to the raunchy, YIVO’s vast archives of Yiddish life are reunited online

Published January 6, 2022

(New York Jewish Week via JTA) — The Holocaust all but destroyed a centuries-old Jewish civilization, while the war carved up nations and left the Continent divided between the allied West and the Soviet-dominated East. The casualties of this upheaval...

Letters to the Editor: Jan. 6, 2021

Letters to the Editor: Jan. 6, 2021

Published January 6, 2022

Submit letters to the editor to [email protected]. Letters should be no longer than 250 and should include the writer’s name, municipality and a daytime phone number. The Light may edit letters for length or clarity. All veterans should...

Too many chose to look away from Chaim Walder’s crimes. We can make other choices now.

Too many chose to look away from Chaim Walder’s crimes. We can make other choices now.

Published January 6, 2022

(JTA) — During my first month as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx, I spent most of my time engaged in an intensive orientation. As part of that training, a senior ADA taught us the art of an effective opening argument. Whether you are...

"The Club" leads our weekly Jewish movies and TV picks

“The Club” leads our weekly Jewish movies and TV picks

Dan Buffa, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 2, 2022

What does one do when it's raining all day on the first day of the year? Watch some good television, movies, and shows alike -- unless you are watching the latest "Fauda" trailer for the seventh time. Grab a trustworthy blanket and finish off that bagel...

50 plus

Put the lid on the pill bottle & cut the organ recitals

BARBARA BALLINGER AND MARGARET CRANE, LIFELESSONSAT50PLUS.COM, LIFELESSONSAT50PLUS.COMPublished December 30, 2021

Margaret (Meg) Crane lived most of her life in St. Louis, was associate editor of the Jewish Light in the early 70s and from 2001-2012, was senior writer for Jewish Federation. Two years ago, she moved to New York City to be closer to family living...

‘Licorice Pizza’ pays homage to the sexiness of Jewish women

‘Licorice Pizza’ pays homage to the sexiness of Jewish women

Published December 27, 2021

(JTA) — This year, everyone seemed to have an opinion about how the entertainment industry views Jewish women. The comedian Sarah Silverman and others openly inveighed against what she deemed “Jewface,” or the trend of casting non-Jewish actresses...

The true ‘Tragedy’ of Joel Coen’s ‘Macbeth’ is the breakup of a great Jewish filmmaking duo

The true ‘Tragedy’ of Joel Coen’s ‘Macbeth’ is the breakup of a great Jewish filmmaking duo

Published December 23, 2021

(JTA) — There is a Jewish interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve that situates the two back-to-back. Instead of God creating woman from the stolen rib of Adam, the two walk away and split — crack — into separate beings. This is where...

An American Muslim leader said Zionist Jews can’t be trusted allies. Jews and Muslims who work together know better.

An American Muslim leader said Zionist Jews can’t be trusted allies. Jews and Muslims who work together know better.

Published December 22, 2021

(JTA) — A long-simmering conflict between CAIR, the Muslim-American civil rights organization, and the Anti-Defamation League has now reached the boiling point: A Bay Area CAIR leader dismissed the ADL and groups like it as “polite Zionists”...

What happened when Jewish students stopped fighting about Israel and started listening to each other

What happened when Jewish students stopped fighting about Israel and started listening to each other

Published December 21, 2021

(JTA) — How do you fight antisemitism if you can’t agree on how to define it? And how do you begin to debate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on campus if activists on both sides are convinced of the other’s animosity? These are questions that...

We’re in a shmita year. So why aren’t American Jews talking more about student debt relief?

We’re in a shmita year. So why aren’t American Jews talking more about student debt relief?

Published December 17, 2021

(JTA) — When I finished rabbinical school in 2018, I entered the “real world” with $40,000 in student loans. I acted fast, prioritizing repayment over everything else. Within six months, I paid nearly $10,000 to eliminate interest, and I continued...

Op-Ed: Why I do not stand when fellow veterans are honored

Op-Ed: Why I do not stand when fellow veterans are honored

JIM WINNERMAN, Special For Jewish LightPublished December 16, 2021

When my wife and I attend an event where veterans are asked to stand to be recognized, she always nudges my arm prodding me to rise. Despite serving more than two years on active duty during the Vietnam War, I do not stand because of men like my college...

Op-Ed: The madness of our political system

Op-Ed: The madness of our political system

MARTY ROCHESTER , Special For The Jewish LightPublished December 16, 2021

In previous columns, I have characterized our current political culture as insane. In November, I used the word “insanity” several times when being interviewed on Charlie Brennan’s show on KMOX radio. Why do I think such language is appropriate...

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