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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

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...

This Torah portion reveals the one command that can transform society

This Torah portion reveals the one command that can transform society

By Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh, Temple EmanuelPublished August 21, 2024

Author Elie Wiesel tells the story of the one righteous man of Sodom, who walked the streets protesting the injustices of his city. People made fun of him, derided him. Finally, a young person asked:  “Why do you continue your protest against evil;...

Ekev’s secret: why even the smallest acts have cosmic significance

Ekev’s secret: why even the smallest acts have cosmic significance

Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Central Reform CongregationPublished August 21, 2024

Ekev also signifies “heel.” Every generation is a heel generation, in the sense that everything previous has contributed to everything we do, all previous actsrest on the heel of the present, and so every act, every word, every gesture, every mitzvah,...

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...

Image from Adobe.com

Discover the secret behind Moses’ final message

By Rabbi Josef DavidsonPublished August 8, 2024

Every parent has at one time or another instructed his/her child to “use your words” when asking for something instead of using pointing, grunting, crying, yelling or such nonverbal behavior.  Human beings are verbal creatures, and if children are...

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....

Mahlah, Noa, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.

Secrets of the Torah Revealed: How five sisters altered the course biblical history

By Rabbi Jessica ShafrinPublished July 22, 2024

“A person is given three names: one that their parents call them, one their fellows call them, and one that they acquire with their deeds.” (Midrash Tanhuma, Va-yakhel) The naming process is unique to each individual and culture, yet names...

Rabbi Noah Arnow

Bilaam: A Mt. Sinai business school case study

Rabbi Noah ArnowPublished July 18, 2024

Would you hire Bilaam to work at your Jewish organization? Let’s check out his resume.  Bilaam’s previous job titles include dream interpreter, magician, and most recently, prophet via ruach hakodesh, the holy spirit.  His most recent employer...

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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