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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

Neil Jaffe

J Street event: an important message

By Neil JaffePublished November 21, 2019

As a pro-Israel, pro-peace American and an active member of the St. Louis Jewish community, I am proud of the event that was held on Nov. 13with members of the group Breaking the Silence. Co-sponsored by J Street – St. Louis and the New Israel Fund,...

Rabbi Yonason Goldson

A moral compass for a lost generation

By Rabbi Yonason GoldsonPublished November 14, 2019

Stories from our past light the way to our futureWhere do human values, ethics, morality, and the fundamental principles of civil society come from? According to John Adams, Leo Tolstoy, and 19th century ethicist Charles Wagner — among many others —...

Liam Hoare

What the fall of the Berlin Wall meant for Eastern European Jews

By Liam HoarePublished November 14, 2019

VIENNA — “Neither ox nor donkey can block the path to socialism,” the East German leader Erich Honecker boldly declared on Aug. 14, 1989. Less than three months later, on Nov. 9, the Berlin Wall would fall.Newsweek’s then-Berlin bureau chief Michael...

Letters to the editor: November 13, 2019

Letters to the editor: November 13, 2019

Published November 14, 2019

Vetting of author’s ‘truths’ neededI was so very disappointed to discover that a partner of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis — the St. Louis Jewish Book Festival — has chosen to disparage Israel and the Israel Defense Forces by featuring Yousef...

Charles L. Klotzer

U.S. educational system is guilty of malpractice

By Charles L. KlotzerPublished November 7, 2019

Professor Marty Rochester, columnist of the Jewish Light, is a perfect example why the 1619 voluminous report published by The New York Times (in cooperation with the Smithsonian and the Pulitzer Center that the professor fails to mention) charges our...

Jonathan S. Tobin

Why is Reform widening the divide between Israel and American Jewry?

BY JONATHAN S. TOBINPublished November 7, 2019

Friction between American Jews and Israel has never been greater. The divide between these two branches of the Jewish people has been exacerbated by differences about religious pluralism, the peace process, as well as over opinions about President Donald...

Paul Tesser

Are we exaggerating racism? No, you are perpetuating it.

By Paul TesserPublished November 7, 2019

I found the column written by Professor J. Martin Rochester, “Are we exaggerating racism?” (Oct 30. edition of the St. Louis Jewish Light), to be deeply disturbing. I am of the opinion that the persistence of systemic racism in America remains a leading...

Galit Lev-Harir

The problem with Breaking the Silence

By Galit Lev-HarirPublished November 7, 2019

On Nov. 13, Congregation B’nai Amoona will host a program sponsored by J Street and the New Israel Fund with Breaking the Silence, known in Hebrew as “Shovrim Shtika.” There is much controversy as to whether or not mainstream Jewish organizations...

Letters to the Editor: November 6, 2019

Letters to the Editor: November 6, 2019

Published November 7, 2019

Despite progress, systemic racism persistsWe are writing in response to Marty Rochester Oct. 30 commentary, “Are We Exaggerating Racism?” Rochester is not suggesting anything new or innovative by way of stating that we live in a post-racial society....

Marty Rochester

Are we exaggerating racism?

BY MARTY ROCHESTERPublished October 31, 2019

Did you know that, according to increasingly accepted notions of racism in America, not only Donald Trump but also Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and all the other current Democratic presidential candidates and, indeed, you,...

 

One year later

By RABBI JONATHAN PERLMANPublished October 31, 2019

Rabbi who lost congregants in Pittsburgh shooting discusses the long road to healingPITTSBURGH — I have been the rabbi of the New Light Congregation in Pittsburgh for nine years. This year, at Kol Nidre services on Yom Kippur, I preached about calm. Our...

Letters to the editor: November 30, 2019

Letters to the editor: November 30, 2019

Published October 31, 2019

Story on youth groups missed Friends of Israel ScoutsOn Oct. 9, the Jewish Light Ohr Chadash page published an article about Jewish Youth Groups in St. Louis. One Jewish Youth group, however, was missing from the list. That group is Shevet Keshet, the...

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