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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

‘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...

‘West Side Story’: The mean streets of...’60s University City?

‘West Side Story’: The mean streets of…’60s University City?

Eric MinkPublished December 15, 2021

We had to have looked absolutely ridiculous, and I say that as a frequent participant. On weekend evenings in the late fall and winter of 1961 and into the spring of ’62, drivers casually motoring through some of University City, Mo.’s, quietest...

Our preschool welcomed Santa — and exiled my Jewish daughter

Our preschool welcomed Santa — and exiled my Jewish daughter

Meg Keene, The ForwardPublished December 15, 2021

“This story was originally published on December 14, by the Forward. Sign up here to get the latest stories from the Forward delivered to you each morning.” As told to Nora Berman; edited for length and clarity The phone lit up with...

Letters to the Editor: Dec. 1, 2021

Letters to the Editor: Dec. 1, 2021

Published December 13, 2021

Jewish students abroad facing antisemitic threats We want to alert the community to some very brave Austrian Jewish students facing menacing antisemitic threats. On the recent anniversary of Kristallnacht, a group of Viennese Jewish students plastered...

Why do Jews have such a love affair with the IDF?

Tabby Refael, JNSPublished December 12, 2021

(Jewish Journal via JNS) I was 16 when I first visited Israel with my mother. She spent most of the trip coming between me and aggressive young Israeli men who thought it was cute when I said, “Shalom, korim li Tabby” (“Hi, I’m Tabby”) with...

My Jewish ancestors owned slaves. That’s why I’m a rabbi for racial justice.

My Jewish ancestors owned slaves. That’s why I’m a rabbi for racial justice.

Rabbi Barry H. BlockPublished December 9, 2021

(JTA) — In “The Social Justice Torah Commentary,” Rabbi Brian Stoller describes a turtle-shaped dinner bell that his great-grandmother used to summon a Black butler to attend to her needs at the family’s Shabbat table. When I got to that line...

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