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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

My cousin may have betrayed Anne Frank. What would I have done in his place?

My cousin may have betrayed Anne Frank. What would I have done in his place?

Published January 27, 2022

(JTA) — My entire adult life I have espoused and jettisoned multiple theologies and philosophies after subjecting them to the ultimate test: Would they survive Auschwitz? Sometimes yes, sometimes no, almost always with some kind of caveat. Now...

10-year challenge churns up an emotional storm

10-year challenge churns up an emotional storm

SUZANNE EPSTEIN-LANG , SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished January 26, 2022

In case you have been living under a rock, there was a popular challenge on social media recently in which participants posted a photo of themselves 10 years ago, along with a current one. Though I see its pitfalls, I must admit I love social media...

A detailed view of the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Ceremony ""75 years after Auschwitz - Holocaust Education and Remembrance for Global Justice"" on the occasion of the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the ending of the Second World War, and the ending of the Holocaust.

The Holocaust Remembrance Day rule that proves everyone loves dead Jews

Jonathan S. TobinPublished January 26, 2022
The growing volume of lip service paid by the world to the memory of the Six Million is neatly matched by the complacence about or support for contemporary Jew-hatred.
Jewish women are leaders on abortion rights. But they can’t do it alone.

Jewish women are leaders on abortion rights. But they can’t do it alone.

Published January 26, 2022

(JTA) — In 1966, I was a student at Boston University’s School of Social Work when I received a phone call from a college friend. She explained in hushed tones that she needed an abortion and thought I could help her. At that time, I didn’t know...

Here’s some collected wisdom, and you can quote me

Here’s some collected wisdom, and you can quote me

AMY FENSTER BROWNPublished January 21, 2022

It’s time for a mid-January check-in. How are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions? I have a perfect track record for the first time in my life. That’s because my 2022 resolution was to no longer make New Year’s resolutions. I outsmarted the...

I let an unhoused man into my synagogue last week. How will we respond after?

I let an unhoused man into my synagogue last week. How will we respond after?

Rabbi Joshua LandonPublished January 21, 2022

(JTA) — When I turned on my phone after Shabbat last Saturday night and read about the unfolding hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas, I was immediately transported to my encounter the previous evening with the unhoused man who appeared,...

Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Robert A. Cohn writes that he has been buying newspapers, magazines and comics from World News in Clayton since its opening in 1967. The store recently announced it will close in February. Photo: Alec Baris

Ink-loving editor bids farewell to beloved Clayton news shop

ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished January 21, 2022

At 82, I’m dealing with the harsh reality of illness and death striking down relatives and friends.  Add to this the relentless news of the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the cloud of sadness can envelop the soul.   One thing we can...

Central Reform Congregation. Photo: Bill Motchan

I’m a pulpit rabbi. This is the true cost of keeping synagogues safe

Rabbi Daniel BogardPublished January 21, 2022

This story was originally published on January 20 by the Forward. Sign up here to get the latest stories from the Forward delivered to you each morning. In the aftermath of the hostage situation at a synagogue in Texas, every Jewish institution...

Securing our synagogues and protecting Jews of color don’t have to be at odds

Securing our synagogues and protecting Jews of color don’t have to be at odds

Published January 20, 2022

(JTA) — Jews across America are still reeling from this past Shabbat when a rabbi and three congregants were held at gunpoint by an antisemitic terrorist in Colleyville, Texas.  In response to these harrowing events, many institutions have suggested...

Portrait of Rabbi Josef Davidson

D’var Torah by Rabbi Josef Davidson: A better approach to service 

RABBI JOSEF DAVIDSONPublished January 20, 2022

The United States’ economy is currently oriented toward service. Employment opportunities abound in the service industries such as food service, hospitality service, call center service, repair services and delivery service, to name a few. As consumers...

JCRC, J Street, divisiveness and tolerance

JCRC, J Street, divisiveness and tolerance

RABBI SETH D. GORDONPublished January 20, 2022

I attended the recent Jewish Community Relations Council Zoom meeting, but as I had not attended for years I chose not to speak. The issue that drove increased attendance was whether or not to admit J Street St. Louis (see the previous story). The...

From vigils to vitriol, the Texas hostage crisis showed social media at its best and worst

From vigils to vitriol, the Texas hostage crisis showed social media at its best and worst

Published January 19, 2022

(New York Jewish Week via JTA) — It was the best of Twitter. It was the worst of Twitter. During the long agonizing hours of last Saturday evening, during which a rabbi and three congregants were held against their will at a Dallas-area synagogue,...

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