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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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Federation CEO Danny Cohn addressing a crowd of more than 150 people on Monday evening.

Eye-opening study becomes roadmap to a stronger St. Louis Jewish community

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 25, 2025

A Community Study released on March 24 by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis will serve as a guide to form action steps and strengthen the Jewish community. During a town hall meeting March 24 at Federation, more than 150 attendees were introduced to...

Sarah Kitchner in Chicago with Birthright.

She’s taking Mizzou students to Israel—here’s why it matters

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 25, 2025

When Sarah Kitchner first traveled to Israel, she knew it wouldn’t be her last visit. Now, as a Birthright Israel Fellow, the Mizzou Hillel educator is preparing to guide Jewish students through the experience. Earlier this month, she joined 81 other...

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, President Trump's nominee to be ambassador to Israel, testifies during his confirmation hearing. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Huckabee does not shy away from his Christian Zionist beliefs at hearing to be ambassador to Israel

Grace Gilson JTAPublished March 25, 2025

(JTA) — Mike Huckabee, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to Israel, told senators that while he personally supports Israel annexing the West Bank, he wouldn’t be directing the president’s policy in the region. He also said Trump...

Jessica Radloff, a St. Louis native and author launches "The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast."

St. Louis native Jessica Radloff launches ‘Big Bang Theory’ podcast, taking fans behind the scenes

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 25, 2025

Jessica Radloff, New York Times best-selling author of “The Big Bang Theory: The Definitive, Inside Story of the Epic Hit Series” and host and executive producer of "The Official Big Bang Theory Podcast," is taking her deep dive into the beloved sitcom...

Max Frankel in 1959 working as the New York Times' Moscow correspondent. (Ben Martin/Getty Images)

Max Frankel, Jewish New York Times executive editor who fled the Nazis, dies at 94

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished March 24, 2025

(JTA) — Max Frankel, the former executive editor of The New York Times who fled the Nazis as a child, died at 94. Frankel died Sunday at his Manhattan home, according to an obituary in the Times. Frankel began working at the Times at age 19 as...

Becca Near, serves as the Central States Regional Development Director for United Hatzalah of Israel

What I witnessed in Israel changed me forever: The hidden heroes of United Hatzalah

Becca Near, Special To The Jewish LightPublished March 24, 2025

Last month, I had the immense honor of visiting Israel and spending time with our United Hatzalah volunteers on the ground. United Hatzalah is an Israeli volunteer-based emergency medical services organization, which provides free service throughout Israel. It...

Shmuel Goodman

He lost everything, beat cancer and rebuilt his life—here’s what he told St. Louis Jews

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 24, 2025

Shmuel Goodman didn’t come to St. Louis to talk theory—he came to tell the truth. About going broke. About beating cancer. About rebuilding a life with purpose, faith and accountability. As the featured guest of Ignite YP’s Staenberg Speaker Series,...

Federation study reveals a highly engaged evolving Jewish community

Federation study reveals a highly engaged evolving Jewish community

BY BILL MOTCHAN AND ELLEN FUTTERMANPublished March 24, 2025

The Jewish population of the St. Louis metropolitan area is now estimated at approximately 45,800, according to the 2024 Greater St. Louis Jewish Community Study, set to be released today, March 24. The study, conducted by the Cohen Center for Modern...

Bruce Pearl celebrates with his team after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Arena, Feb. 1, 2022. (Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Bruce Pearl opens NCAA postgame press conference by calling to ‘bring the hostages home’

Ben Sales, JTAPublished March 23, 2025

Bruce Pearl, whose Auburn men’s basketball team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen this weekend, opened his postgame press conference by calling to “bring the hostages home.” Auburn is one of three No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Division I men’s basketball...

The YIVO building in Vilna, left, and its new home near Union Square, right, tell a story of assimilation and the struggle for continuity. Photo by YIVO Archives/Gryffindor/Wikimedia Commons

The secret stash that saved Yiddish culture—and why St. Louis should care today

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 23, 2025

On Monday, March 24, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research celebrates 100 years of preserving Jewish history, language and culture. And if you’re sitting in St. Louis thinking, "That’s nice, but what does a New York-based archive have to do with me?,"...

Lucy Greenbaum

St. Louis songbird heads to Jerusalem—Lucy Greenbaum’s sacred new mission!

Published March 21, 2025

Lucy Greenbaum, director of music engagement at Congregation Shaare Emeth, has been accepted to Hebrew Union College’s Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music as a cantorial student. Beginning this summer, she will embark on a five-year program that...

Lefty's Bagels, Facebook

This St. Louis bagel shop just donated 41,000 reasons to love them

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished March 21, 2025

You already know Lefty’s Bagels for their New York-style bagels, but here’s something else to love about them—they’re making sure those bagels do more than just fill stomachs. In 2024 alone, Lefty’s donated more than 41,000 bagels to the...

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