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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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Hedwig Strnad designed dresses to escape the Nazis. Now they're on display in St. Louis.

Hedwig Strnad designed dresses to escape the Nazis. Now they’re on display in St. Louis.

Published June 26, 2025

This summer, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum will present “Stitching History from the Holocaust,” a moving exhibition that brings attention to the life and work of Hedwig Strnad, a Jewish fashion designer from Prague whose promising...

Thousands attended the two-day Borscht Belt Festival, including its street fair, in upstate New York in July 2024. Credit: Courtesy.

‘Borscht Belt Fest 2025’ to honor legendary comedian Robert Klein

Published June 26, 2025

(JNS) The Borscht Belt Fest Robert Klein tribute will headline this summer’s Jewish comedy celebration in upstate New York. The 2025 event, returning to Ellenville in the Catskills region, will honor the legendary comedian with a Lifetime Achievement...

Isaac Dechtman of Denver and his parents Evan and Jennifer comfort each other at the Boulder County Courthouse on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, on June 3, 2025, two days after 12 people marching to raise awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza were injured in a "targeted act of violence" by a man wielding incendiary devices. (Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Suspect in Boulder fire bombing of Jews charged with 12 hate crimes

JNS StaffPublished June 26, 2025

(JNS) -- The Boulder firebombing Jewish hate crimes case intensified this week as a Colorado man was charged with 12 federal hate crimes for targeting Jewish homes and businesses. The Department of Justice said the suspect threw Molotov cocktails and...

Israeli Ben Saraf, left, a 19-year-old currently playing in the German professional league, and Israeli-American Danny Wolf, a 7-footer from the University of Michigan, were picked by the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA draft, June 25, 2025. (Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets Jewish players make NBA draft history

Jacob Gurvis, JTAPublished June 26, 2025

(JTA) -- Brooklyn Nets Jewish players made headlines Thursday night as the team selected two Jewish athletes in the 2025 NBA Draft, marking a rare moment of visibility for Jewish representation in pro basketball. The milestone drew excitement from fans,...

U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on April 7, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Trump slams Netanyahu trial as ‘witch hunt’

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished June 26, 2025

(JTA) -- Trump witch hunt Israel rhetoric resurfaced Wednesday as Donald Trump publicly defended Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his corruption trial. Calling the case a “ridiculous witch hunt,” Trump’s comments ignited backlash over...

It’s not summer until you shvitz: A love letter to my favorite Yiddish word

It’s not summer until you shvitz: A love letter to my favorite Yiddish word

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 25, 2025

A few readers have pointed out that I’ve been using the word shvitz quite a bit lately in Bubbe’s Forecast. And yes — I have. Guilty. I’m not just using it — I’m clinging to it like the sticky, heavy brewery t-shirts I wear to the office each...

The 2024 Unsung Heroes are (clockwise from top left) Rachel Sanger, Sharon Weissman, Barb and Rich Kramer, Wendy Flusser, Linda Sandmel, Ken Weintraub, Ellen Schapiro, Hillary Friedman, Ram Lakshmanan and Peggy Cohen Voss.

Deadline approaching to nominate Unsung Heros in community

Published June 25, 2025

Now in its 16th year, the Unsung Heroes awards celebrate volunteers making a meaningful difference in the community without seeking the spotlight. Nominations are currently open, with a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday, June 27. Submissions can be made online...

How an Olivette couple helped 100+ Jews find love—with a camera and a cause

How an Olivette couple helped 100+ Jews find love—with a camera and a cause

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 25, 2025

Before dating apps and endless swiping, St. Louis had the Jewish Photo Dating Service—a low-tech matchmaking effort that launched in the early 1980s. It brought hundreds of local singles together and led to dozens of lasting relationships. After we...

St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird before the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Fredbird’s hall of fame moment has Marty Hendin written all over it

By Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 25, 2025

Fredbird, the most famous red bird in St. Louis and the forever face of the St. Louis Cardinals, was officially inducted into the online Mascot Hall of Fame on June 17 – beating out dozens of competitors -- he joined an elite roster of baseball’s...

Mont Levy congratulated Jenny Hoffman-Mentle upon completion of the Levy Fellows, Jewish Federation's board development program.

Inside the quiet network shaping Jewish boardrooms across St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 25, 2025

Jewish boards don’t just manage—they make the calls that shape congregations, schools and in many cases, the direction of Jewish life. But how do new leaders learn to navigate the responsibilities—and politics—that come with a seat at the table?...

Teleo Coffee in Kirkwood

Kirkwood’s Teleo joins the boil-and-bake elite

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 24, 2025

If you’ve been reading the Jewish Light for any length of time, you know one thing’s certain: we are unapologetically obsessed with bagels. We’ve tracked down every place in St. Louis that boils, bakes or even dares to attempt a decent shmear. So...

Danny Cohn, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Op-Ed: Our strength is in showing up, together, even when we disagree

Danny Cohn, President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis.Published June 23, 2025

Following the U.S. strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis joined Jewish Federations of North America in issuing statements to acknowledge the military action—a move taken in coordination with the State of Israel...

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