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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

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Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue offered different views on whether to get directly involved in New York City's mayoral race. (Images via YouTube)

Should a rabbi endorse a candidate? The national debate that’s hitting home in St. Louis

Published October 28, 2025

  Go figure: A non-Jewish, non-Zionist politician has sparked a national Jewish conversation about the role of the rabbi. If elected next week, the 34-year-old progressive Zohran Mamdani would be the first mayor of New York City who came...

The Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Israel and Overseas Committee at Nachal Oz with photos of the two hostages taken from Nachal Oz. Both are back safe with their families.

From St. Louis to Israel: I’m going to see our impact up close

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 28, 2025

In January, I’ll join the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ Israel and Overseas Committee on a mission to see firsthand the impact of Federation funding in Israel. The committee is responsible for making funding decisions for Federation...

As the shutdown drags on, St. Louis food pantry braces for surge in need

As the shutdown drags on, St. Louis food pantry braces for surge in need

By Bill Motchan, Contributing WriterPublished October 28, 2025

  The federal government shutdown is likely to create increased demand at the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry and other community-based food distribution centers. Jewish Family Services (JFS) of St. Louis is keeping tabs on the situation...

“Never back down”: St. Louis teens prepare to face antisemitism on campus

“Never back down”: St. Louis teens prepare to face antisemitism on campus

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 28, 2025

When many St. Louis Jewish families talk about sending their kids off to college, the conversation often turns to antisemitism. It’s a worry that’s only grown louder in recent years. Headlines about campus protests and hostility toward Jewish students...

He is cancer free, but new, intimate challenges — and victories — continue

He is cancer free, but new, intimate challenges — and victories — continue

BY BILL GOODFRIEND, Special to the Jewish LightPublished October 28, 2025

Lately, people I know see me and say, “You look great, Bill!” I usually reply, “Thanks,” and joke that I’m on “the Chordoma Diet.” I couldn’t help but lose some weight after doctors took out my lower sacrum May 1. To some, I’ll...

Making sense of the headlines from Israel, Gaza and the West Bank

Making sense of the headlines from Israel, Gaza and the West Bank

Published October 27, 2025

This week, Congregation Shaare Emeth is inviting the community to slow down, take stock and unpack what’s happening in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. The headlines have been shifting almost daily, some offering relief and others heartbreak. In recent...

Anselm Kiefer, German, born 1945; “Brennstäbe” (Fuel Rods), 1984–87; oil, acrylic emulsion, and shellac on canvas with lead, copper wire, straw, iron, and ceramic; 130 1/4 inches x 18 feet 3 inches; Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Jr., by exchange 108:1987a-c; © Anselm Kiefer

A viewer’s guide to the Jewish connections in SLAM’s biggest show ever

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 27, 2025

How to see “Anselm Kiefer: Becoming the Sea”: A viewer’s guide Since introducing the Jewish Light audience to the Jewish connections behind the largest exhibition ever at the Saint Louis Art Museum, we've received dozens of emails asking if there's...

How a non-Jewish artist helped shape Jewish spaces across the Midwest

How a non-Jewish artist helped shape Jewish spaces across the Midwest

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished October 27, 2025

As I was walking up and down the front lobby of the Jewish Community Center preparing for the Jewish Light's 16th annual Unsung Hero Awards ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 26, I could not help but notice and re-notice the artwork that hung on the walls. All...

2025 Jewish Light Unsung Heroes (from left) Harriet Turner, Michele Steinberg, Julie Hoffman, Holly Bernstein, Marilyn K. Humiston, Nancy Litz, Debbie Hirschfelder, Marty Zuckerman, Marty Levy and Max Gornish

Jewish Light’s Unsung Heroes event delivers a full house and full hearts

Photos and text by Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished October 26, 2025

Nearly 300 people gathered on Sunday, Oct. 26 at the Jewish Community Center to salute the 2025 St. Louis Jewish Light Unsung Heroes. This marks the 16th year the Light has honored special individuals for selflessly giving their time, service and commitment...

As rabbis debate new ‘red lines,' five in St. Louis add their names to 'most-signed rabbinic letter' ever

As rabbis debate new ‘red lines,’ five in St. Louis add their names to ‘most-signed rabbinic letter’ ever

Joseph Strauss, JTAPublished October 24, 2025

Two days after Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove delivered a sermon urging congregants to vote against Zohran Mamdani, rabbis across the country were asked to sign a letter quoting him. By the time it was published Wednesday, 650 rabbis and cantors had done so,...

StopAntisemitism: Out of 1,000 profiled, 400 have been fired

StopAntisemitism: Out of 1,000 profiled, 400 have been fired

Mike Wagenheim, Jewish News SyndicatePublished October 24, 2025

Liora Rez, founder and executive director of the grassroots watchdog StopAntisemitism, has spent the two years since the Hamas-led massacre in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, turning the tables on antisemites. And she claims a remarkable success rate. “We...

Paul Ingrassia, White House Liaison to the Justice Department, left, announces the release of brothers Andrew and Matthew Valentin outside of the DC Central Detention Facility on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump issued pardons to over 1500 people who were charged with crimes related to the event. (Pete Kiehart for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Trump nominee who said he had a ‘Nazi streak’ forced out before Senate confirmation hearing

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished October 22, 2025

(JTA) — Paul Ingrassia has pulled out of contention for a top legal role in the Trump administration after losing key Republican support over revelations of private texts in which he declared, “I have a Nazi streak.” Ingrassia had faced criticism...

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