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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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U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders on the first day of his second term, Jan. 20, 2025. Credit: White House.

Trump revokes Biden sanctions on Judea, Samaria residents

JNS StaffPublished January 20, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump revoked a host of what he called “harmful” executive orders and actions under former President Joe Biden, including Executive Order 14115 of Feb. 1, 2024, which sanctioned Jews living in Judea and Samaria accused of “undermining...

Dora Offchinicoff

Knitting for Camelot: Meet the St. Louis woman who touched Jackie Kennedy’s heart!

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 20, 2025

As the country reflects on the transition of power with Donald Trump’s return to the White House on Monday, Jan. 20, I found myself looking back into the Jewish Light archives. There, I came across a story that feels as relevant today as it did in 1962....

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC.

In inaugural address, Trump hails return of ‘the hostages in the Middle East’

Ben Sales, JTAPublished January 20, 2025

In his defiant return to office, President Donald Trump cast himself as a “peacemaker” and cited the release of “the hostages in the Middle East.” In a benediction following Trump’s second inaugural address, the president of Yeshiva University...

Noble and Eugeniya Ilyashov

Small hands, big difference: Preschoolers learn the value of community service on MLK Day

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished January 20, 2025

A social action day for preschoolers was held at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School on Monday, Jan. 20. The event, “Small Hands. . . Big Difference,” is held each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to teach kids the importance of giving back to...

Lost Tables Podcast returns with episode on Danny Meyer

Lost Tables Podcast returns with episode on Danny Meyer

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 20, 2025

Lost Tables is bringing St. Louis’ restaurant history to life—one bite at a time. Dr. Harley Hammerman, known for his deep dives into local restaurant history on his website “Lost Tables,” has turned his passion into a podcast....

Rabbi Samuel Thurman (right) shown with his longtime friend President Harry S. Truman. (as it appeared in 1972)

Remembering the St. Louis rabbi who made presidential inauguration history

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 20, 2025

In 1949, as Harry S. Truman prepared for the first presidential inauguration since the end of World War II, the Holocaust, and the creation of the State of Israel, he made a significant decision: he invited a rabbi to speak at his swearing-in ceremony....

Israeli TV showed footage of three hostages exiting a Hamas vehicle as well as the families waiting for them in Israel, Jan. 19, 2024. (Screenshot)

Hostages Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher released as Israel-Hamas ceasefire sets in

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished January 19, 2025

(JTA) — Three women whom Hamas held hostage in Gaza for more than 470 days are returning to Israel as a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war went into effect on Sunday morning. The women were all alive and exited on their own from a Hamas vehicle, according...

Mirowitz Center partners with AARP Foundation for free tax assistance program

Mirowitz Center partners with AARP Foundation for free tax assistance program

Published January 17, 2025

Starting Feb. 7, the Mirowitz Center will serve as a host location for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, offering free, in-person tax preparation services to low-to-moderate income individuals, particularly those aged 50 and older. IRS-certified...

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...

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