By Jonathan S. Tobin, JNS
• Published December 17, 2020
The news was greeted with jubilation by friends of Israel and the approximately 1 million Israelis who trace their roots back to Morocco. An agreement announced last week by the White House made Morocco the fourth Muslim country in the last few months...
Election results this year show the deep socio-political divide among demographics and identities. Regardless of the outcome each of us desired, this is not a proud moment. The United States continues to be deeply divided, and it is apparent in election...
Seeking in-person services? We’re openRegarding “Congregations adapt to COVID-19 for High Holy Days,” (Nov. 18), I want to let the community know that Traditional Congregation has been open for services since August 1, including Rosh Hashanah and...
Appreciation for original Holocaust Museum foundersYour coverage of the Holocaust Museum groundbreaking (Nov. 18 edition) was appreciated. My family and I would like to clarify some important points. The museum is dedicated in honor of the survivors and...
Temple Israel students who began college this year have a special nickname for themselves. It doesn’t have to do with COVID-19 or with their time in confirmation class or shared experiences during their b’nai mitzvah year. They call themselves “Miss...
For Jews, grappling with the physical and spiritual presence of Israel is not optional. Why is this relationship crucial? Israel is part of an unbreakable, interdependent triad that includes God and Torah. All Jews are the Children of Israel. We are...
Robert A. Cohn, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus
• Published December 3, 2020
This feature is dedicated to the memory of Melvin L. Newmark, St. Louis attorney and Jewish community leader, who served as president of the Jewish Light Board of Trustees from l969-l972. In his memory, Mr. Newmark’s family and friends established...
By Amy Fenster Brown
• Published November 19, 2020
Thank you. I’m thankful for you reading my essays month after month. What a coincidence that here I am, publicly thankful, and it happens to be Thanksgiving. We can each make a list, from the serious to the silly, as a reminder of positivity during...
By Amissa Blumenthal
• Published November 19, 2020
During the Jewish holidays in September and October, we often reflect on making a better version of ourselves. Well after reflecting for these months and more, here is my takeaway: Growing up, my family was always an embarrassment to me. And going forward,...
I drafted this commentary the day after the presidential election, before we knew the final outcome. I felt my comments were relevant regardless of the winner. The 2020 election has been called the most important in American history, given the huge...
Death’s a funny thing. It can focus your mind, but it also can set your head spinning. It can even do both at the same time, as did to me over the weekend.After several days of following the grim and grimmer news about our surging coronavirus pandemic,...
My first opportunity to meet Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who passed away on Nov. 7, began in 2013. As a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency, I had the privilege of introducing a dialogue between Rabbi Sacks and the Israeli historian Fania...
