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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

Laura Ben-David

Israel was right to deny entry to Tlaib and Omar

By Laura Ben-DavidPublished August 22, 2019

TEKO’A, WEST BANK — When Israel announced that it would be banning lawmakers Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar from visiting Israel, it caused a huge debate to erupt in the Jewish community for all sorts of reasons. Supporters of the ban argue that if...

Jonathan S. Tobin

Israel should have ignored pressure from Trump

By Jonathan S. TobinPublished August 22, 2019

Unlike his predecessor, Barack Obama, President Donald Trump doesn’t think more “daylight” between the United States and Israel is needed, and he has had Israel’s back on all the major issues regarding the peace process and threats like Iran.But...

Letters to the editor: August 21, 2019

Letters to the editor: August 21, 2019

Published August 22, 2019

Cost may be difficult for some seniors to coverAs a resident of the greater Jewish community of Creve Coeur, my wife and I have been attending the classes at Covenant Place for the last three years with no out-of-pocket expense.We have been informed that...

Tsilla Hershco

Forgotten heroes: The Jewish resistance and ‘Exodus 1947’

By Tsilla HershcoPublished August 22, 2019

It is a regrettable injustice that the major contribution of the resistance to the creation of the State of Israel is almost entirely absent from our collective memory.This July and August mark the 72nd anniversary of the journey of the Exodus 1947 (originally...

By Marty Rochester

Equal pay arguments rest on unequal playing field

By Marty RochesterPublished August 15, 2019

I suspect I will get in trouble for saying this, even though it would clearly seem a logically and morally grounded statement: Men and women should get equal pay for equal competence at the same job. As compellingly simple as this proposition might...

Susan Block

‘No Shanda’ group removes shame, stigma from mental health discussion

By Susan BlockPublished August 15, 2019

Sitting around the table in the Central Reform Congregation library earlier this month, the meeting of No Shanda, a mental health group led by Rabbis Susan Talve and James Goodman, was about to start. Several of the participants chatted with one another....

Joel Frankel

Times have changed; the importance of the Jewish Federation Annual Campaign hasn’t

By Joel FrankelPublished August 15, 2019

Ring ring. Ring ring. Hi, this is Jane. I am calling today as a Super Sunday Volunteer on behalf of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. Thank you for your past support of our Annual Campaign. Last year you pledged $X, can we count on you for $X this year?...

Rabbi Scott Shafrin

In holding ourselves, others accountable, words matter

By Rabbi Scott ShafrinPublished August 8, 2019

“These are the words that Moses spoke to all of Israel on the banks of the Jordan River …”The opening of the Book of Deuteronomy is a look back into the history of the Jewish People making their way through the wilderness. In it, Moses does not...

Stacey Newman

Furious about gun violence? Let your voice be heard

Stacey NewmanPublished August 8, 2019

Furious about people getting shot and killed? There is only one solution: Speak up to make your position on gun violence known to legislators. Contact every person in elected office who refuses to consider any safety proposal designed to save lives,...

Letters to the editor: Aug. 7, 2019

Letters to the editor: Aug. 7, 2019

Published August 8, 2019

Encourage lawmakers to pass gun violence prevention billsI was heartbroken to hear the news of not one, but three major shootings this weekend in El Paso, Dayton and now Chicago. With the 2019-2020 school year about to start, we will also have to brace...

Rabbi Susan Talve

Don’t stay on the sidelines in the fight for justice

By Rabbi Susan TalvePublished August 8, 2019

The daughters of Zelophechad (Numbers 26ff) challenged the systems of power and inheritance that left them invisible and vulnerable. The Book of Numbers tells us that they understood that movements for social change often take generations. They planted...

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch will move from its longtime home at 900 Tucker Blvd. (shown here)  to 901 North 10th St. 

Post-Dispatch building resonates with memories

ERIC MINKPublished August 8, 2019

I’ve said my goodbyes to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Not to the newspaper, but to the building at 900 North Tucker Blvd. where the paper’s essence has come to life and taken shape for the past 60 years, a third of them with me working in it. This...

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