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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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Adam Didier and Carly Ferdman with their two children in Tower Grove Park. The couple chose to live in the Shaw 
neighborhood.

Embracing The City: Why more Jews are choosing St. Louis urban life

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished August 19, 2025

Late night sirens don’t bother Ben Senturia. They are a conspicuous reminder that he lives in an urban environment. “At night, it feels like I’m in a real city with lots of activity, as opposed to a quieter residential area,” said Senturia, 81....

Every Torah portion, a poem: Rabbi’s 3-year journey becomes a book

Every Torah portion, a poem: Rabbi’s 3-year journey becomes a book

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished August 19, 2025

Rabbi James Stone Goodman has long worked in the space where poetry, music and Torah meet. His new book "Black Fire White Fire" is the fullest expression yet of that calling — a complete Torah told in poetic verse, where one foot is rooted in text...

The grave of slain Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg Polin at Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem, July 28, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

On yahrzeit of 6 slain hostages, Hamas said to accept ceasefire deal

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished August 19, 2025

(JTA) — Jews around the world are marking a grim date on Tuesday: the first anniversary on the Jewish calendar of when six hostages were murdered by Hamas in captivity, shortly after the collapse of negotiations that would have freed at least some...

A Nazi Germany flag from the collection of the Missouri Historical Society. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Nazi flags found hanging outside Texas high school

JNS STAFFPublished August 18, 2025

(JNS) -- After two Nazi flags were found hanging outside Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, early Saturday morning, the local Chabad rabbi called on the community to “continue to display Jewish pride,” according to the Rockwall County Herald-Banner. Rabbi...

Big ideas get a boost: Federation launches new Impact Grants

Big ideas get a boost: Federation launches new Impact Grants

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished August 18, 2025

In Jewish St. Louis, there’s never a shortage of ideas, but there can be a shortage of ways to pay for them. Now, Jewish Federation Impact Grants aim to close that gap. The new program from the Jewish Federation of St Louis is designed to back bold,...

Demonstrators block Israel's main highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, after families of hostages have called for a nationwide strike to demand the return of all hostages and an end to the war in Gaza, in Latrun Israel August 17,2025 REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Netanyahu says protests harden Hamas, distance hostage release

JNS StaffPublished August 18, 2025

(JNS) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized nationwide anti-government demonstrations on Sunday, saying at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting that the results are the opposite of what they claim to want. “Those who today...

People gather at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv during a rally calling for the release of hostages held in Gaza, Aug. 17, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis join largest recent rallies on behalf of Gaza hostages

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished August 18, 2025

(JTA) — Hundreds of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Sunday at the end of a day of demonstrations around the country to call for the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza. Demonstrations took place in at least 200 locations, and some...

From clinic to community: Dr. Ron Bose takes center stage at Lynnie’s Light

From clinic to community: Dr. Ron Bose takes center stage at Lynnie’s Light

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished August 17, 2025

The Staenberg Family Complex near Creve Coeur will glow with purpose on Wednesday, Sept. 10, as the St. Louis Jewish Community Center hosts its annual Lynnie’s Light for Life event—a gathering that blends community, compassion and commitment to cancer...

Reward offered in Clayton antisemitic hate crime investigation

Reward offered in Clayton antisemitic hate crime investigation

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished August 15, 2025

A $30,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Clayton antisemitic hate crime that damaged three vehicles and left antisemitic graffiti in a residential neighborhood. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Jewish...

Rabbi Rocki Schy-Brunson

Temple Emanuel to install new assistant rabbi and education director

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished August 14, 2025

With a heart for education, a gift for making everyone feel seen and a deep commitment to building community, Rabbi Rocki Schy-Brunson is bringing fresh energy and a genuine spirit of “welcome home” to Temple Emanuel. A recent graduate of Hebrew Union...

The band, "Native State" on state in 2024.

Guitar riffs and good deeds: Michael Staenberg’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ returns to rock Chesterfield

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished August 14, 2025

If you’ve spent any time in the St. Louis Jewish community, you’ve probably bumped into Michael Staenberg — or at least a project he’s helped bring to life. He’s a guy who gives a lot, but this September he’s giving in a way you can dance...

Highland Park City Hall in Illinois

Highland Park, IL takes a stand: antisemitism gets an official definition

Aaron Bandler, JNSPublished August 14, 2025

The Highland Park City Council voted 7-0 to adopt both the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of Jew-hatred and the accompanying contemporary examples of antisemitism on Monday. Annette Lidawer, whose official council...

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