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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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Eden Golan, on stage Thursday, Jan. 16 at The Factory.

Photos: Eden Golan’s anthem ‘Hurricane’ sparks unity and emotion in Chesterfield

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished January 16, 2025

“She knows what we’re going through and she represents us,” said Shaina Grossman, who was referring to Israeli singing sensation Eden Golan. Grossman, 22, was part of an enthusiastic gathering of 650 who came to hear Golan at The Factory in Chesterfield...

Mel Gibson wins the AACTA Award for Best Direction for Hacksaw Ridge in Sydney, Australia, Dec. 7, 2016.

Trump names Mel Gibson ‘special ambassador’ to Hollywood

Andrew Lapin, JTAPublished January 16, 2025

For years following his highly publicized antisemitic outbursts, Mel Gibson couldn’t find much work in Hollywood. But now he’s back in the filmmaking capital — as Donald Trump’s “special ambassador.” The president-elect announced Thursday...

Journalist Sam Husseini is dragged out of a State Department press briefing on Jan. 16, 2025.

Reporters castigating Israel and US support ejected from Blinken’s final press briefing

Ben Sales, JTAPublished January 16, 2025

Two journalists accusing Israel of genocide and other atrocities were expelled from Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s final press conference, in one case getting dragged out while repeatedly screaming, “Why aren’t you in the Hague?” In addition,...

Israelis march as part of a protest against the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, Jan. 16, 2025.

Netanyahu delays ceasefire vote as right-wing protest against deal mounts

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished January 16, 2025

Facing opposition from some of his allies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed a planned Cabinet meeting to approve a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. Netanyahu said in a statement that Hamas was reneging on parts of...

Eli Beer

Eli Beer, Israeli humanitarian, reflects on ceasefire during St. Louis visit

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 15, 2025

As the world watches a fragile cease-fire unfold between Israel and Hamas, details of the agreement have drawn intense global scrutiny. Under the reported terms of the deal, its first phase will last 42 days and will see the Israeli military withdraw...

Remember when The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closed its doors

Remember when The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closed its doors

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished January 15, 2025

Three years ago, Creve Coeur bid farewell to an iconic local establishment: The Bagel Factory. After 48 years of delighting the community with its New York-style water bagels, the shop at 11256 Olive Blvd. closed its doors for good in December 2022. At...

Keren Munder, center, a former Hamas hostage, at a rally in Central Park, March 10, 2024.

Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal after 15 months of war

Ben Sales, JTAPublished January 15, 2025

(JTA) — Israel and Hamas have agreed to a deal that will cease more than a year of fighting in Gaza and Israel, bring dozens of Israeli hostages home and release hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners. The agreement was confirmed by multiple...

The legacy of Pratzel’s Bakery

The legacy of Pratzel’s Bakery

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 15, 2025

Sometimes a bagel isn’t just a bagel. In St. Louis, it was a story, a tradition and, for a century, the backbone of a bakery that made the city’s kosher scene a little more delicious. This week, as we dive into bagel content—and carbs in general—we...

What is an Ess-a-Bagel and how did they find a home in STL?

What is an Ess-a-Bagel and how did they find a home in STL?

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 15, 2025

Heads up, St. Louis bagel lovers. The Gateway City has just scored a culinary homerun with the arrival of authentic New York bagels from the legendary Ess-a-Bagel. These aren’t just New York-style bagels; they’re the...

The Ultimate Guide to St. Louis Homemade Bagels

The Ultimate Guide to St. Louis Homemade Bagels

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 15, 2025

So in honor of the St. Louis Jewish Light's Third Annual Bagel Week celebration, here is our Ultimate Guide to St. Louis Homemade Bagels. The bagel. Is it simplicity or complexity that has allowed the bagel to endure for centuries and become a staple...

New developments in Chabad tunnel controversy as trial gets underway

New developments in Chabad tunnel controversy as trial gets underway

Ben Sales, JTAPublished January 14, 2025

Six men who were arrested in an attempt to dig a tunnel into the Brooklyn headquarters of the Chabad Hasidic movement accepted plea deals on Monday, while four others opted to go to trial. The guilty pleas were the latest stage in the Chabad tunnel...

Orly David Peters.

St. Louis entrepreneur’s new app is changing how we share food and stories

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 14, 2025

Even the most adventurous eater may not be familiar with egusi stew from West Africa. Or the savory Swahili rich dish known as pilau. Then there is sambusak, a Mediterranean golden meat-filled pastry. These are some of the unique international recipes...

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