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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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Teen leaders, Torah vibes, and a trip to Israel—meet the 2025 Pessin winners

Teen leaders, Torah vibes, and a trip to Israel—meet the 2025 Pessin winners

Published April 28, 2025

They’re student leaders, Shabbat organizers and regulars at youth programs across the St. Louis Jewish community. Now, four high schoolers are adding a major honor to their resumes—the 2025 Stuart I. Pessin Award. Jewish Federation of St. Louis...

J.B. Pritzker in Chicago, Oct. 1, 2018. (Joshua Lott/Getty Images)

J.B. Pritzker accuses Trump of ‘disparaging the very foundation of Judaism’

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished April 28, 2025

(JTA) — Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker rebuked President Donald Trump for “disparaging the very foundation of Judaism” in a fiery address in New Hampshire Sunday night. “Stop tearing down the Constitution in the name of my ancestors. Do not...

Rallies and social posts are great, but here’s how you can really stand with Israel right now

Rallies and social posts are great, but here’s how you can really stand with Israel right now

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished April 28, 2025

When the St. Louis Jewish community gathers to show support for Israel and call for the release of hostages, those events do more than create a bond among those who attend. They are also noticed—and appreciated—in Israel. That was one of the revelations...

US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025. (Jim WATSON / POOL / AFP)

Trump on Iran: ‘If we don’t make a deal, I’ll be leading the pack’ into war

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished April 28, 2025

President Donald Trump said he would not let the United States be “dragged in” to war with Iran by Israel — because he would join in an Israeli offensive willingly if Iran does not accede to his demands limitings its nuclear ambitions. He also...

Co-owners Doug Goldenberg and Scott Lefton.

Lefty’s Bagels opening a second location

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 28, 2025

When Lefty’s Bagels opened in Chesterfield, it quickly became a must-visit for bagel fans across St. Louis. Now, co-owners Doug Goldenberg and Scott Lefton are taking the next step: opening a second location at the Mirowitz Center at Covenant Place,...

Erika Schwartz

Born in a ghetto, one day before it was sealed: Her story moved St. Louis to tears

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished April 27, 2025

“I was born Erika Hornstein on April 23, 1944, in the Nyíregyháza, Hungary ghetto. Two weeks later, all of the women and children in my family were transported to Auschwitz to be murdered.” – Erika Schwartz The St. Louis Yom HaShoah (Holocaust...

Kosher milk production in the United States has largely relied on government oversight as a crucial component. (Getty Images)

Could milk lose its kosher status? Why the FDA news has some Jews concerned

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished April 27, 2025

(JTA) — As soon as news broke this week that the Food and Drug Administration was suspending federal testing of commercially produced milk, the Orthodox Union’s hotline lit up. The flood of inquiries was “off the hook … crazy: emails, calls,...

Dennis Klopfenstein. Klopfenstein is being held on $500,000, cash only, no 10% bond.

Jewish security network stops repeat offender charged with harassment after targeting Jewish institutions across St. Louis County

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 25, 2025

A Chesterfield man with a history of violence and stalking is now facing new charges after reportedly contacting and attempting to access several Jewish institutions in St. Louis County. Coordinated response highlights security coordination success On...

Former St. Louisan and Trump nominee Ed Martin says he regrets praising Nazi sympathizer

Former St. Louisan and Trump nominee Ed Martin says he regrets praising Nazi sympathizer

By Jacob Kornbluh, The ForwardPublished April 24, 2025

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. A Trump-nominated prosecutor facing congressional scrutiny over past praise of a Nazi sympathizer has expressed regret...

A shrouded portrait of Pope Francis sits on the altar Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, the day after Easter Sunday.

A rabbi’s appreciation of Pope Francis: ‘A man of peace’

Ron KronishPublished April 24, 2025

This story first appeared on AmericaMagazine.org and is republished here with full permission. When I first heard about the election of Pope Francis in March 2013, my first reaction was one of wonder and awe. The conclave of cardinals elected a man...

Philip Fishman and Peggy Rothman.

After loss, two Jewish seniors find love in St. Louis—and a remarkable coincidence

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished April 24, 2025

Philip Fishman has a thing for coincidences. Sometimes he seeks them out—especially when he’s writing historical fiction novels. Other times, they find him. You decide which this is. When Fishman was 7 years old, his family moved to Olney, Ill....

Donald Trump and Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun light a candle during an Oct. 7 remembrance event at the Trump National Doral Golf Club, in Doral, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Trump issues Yom Hashoah proclamation

JNS StaffPublished April 24, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a proclamation to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) in Israel. Below is the full text: April 23, 2025 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation On Yom HaShoah, Holocaust...

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