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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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Welcome to the world, Max Isacc Lieberman

Welcome to the world, Max Isacc Lieberman

Published April 21, 2025

Elizabeth and David Lieberman would like to announce the birth of their son, Max Isaac Lieberman, on Feb. 18, 2025 in St. Louis, weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Max is the grandson of Susan and Mike Gartenberg, and Gloria and Wayne Kaufman, all of St....

Samuel Rehbein

Simcha in St. Louis: He became a bar mitzvah and cleared out invasive honeysuckle, too

Published April 21, 2025

Samuel Rehbein (Simcha Chaim), son of Chris and Aryn Rehbein of St. Louis, became a bar mitzvah in March at Central Reform Congregation.  Samuel is the grandson of Brice and Ilene Bloom-Ellis of St. Louis, and David and Leila Rehbein of Valentine, Neb....

Pope Francis meets with Hispanic Jewish leaders from Argentina, Spain and the United States at the Vatican on Aug. 22 2019. (Courtesy of Hispanic Jewish Foundation)

Pope Francis, a champion of Jewish-Catholic dialogue, dies at 88

Andrew Silow-Carroll, JTAPublished April 21, 2025

Pope Francis, who significantly advanced the Catholic Church’s relationship with Jews and Israel by actively promoting dialogue, reconciliation and a strong stance against antisemitism, died Monday, one day after marking Easter with a public appearance...

A member of the band Kneecap displays a Palestinian flag before a Coachella performance that included an anti-Israel display. (Screenshot from Hasan Piker's livestream)

‘F–k Israel’ message displayed at Coachella music festival and streamed to millions

JTA StaffPublished April 20, 2025

(JTA) — The Irish band Kneecap displayed a large anti-Israel message during its set Friday at Coachella, a music festival held in the California desert. A series of messages projected behind the band accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and condemned...

One Yiddish phrase, two generations of guilt—and love

One Yiddish phrase, two generations of guilt—and love

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 20, 2025

Since joining the Jewish Light, I’ve been thinking more about my own Jewish upbringing—and part of that included the Yiddish my grandparents used, especially my Mama (my bubbe) and Baba. They’d drop phrases here and there. I never fully understood...

NCJWSTL’s next Coffee Talk brews up nostalgia for Frank & Helen's, Tony's and Imo's

NCJWSTL’s next Coffee Talk brews up nostalgia for Frank & Helen’s, Tony’s and Imo’s

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 20, 2025

NCJWSTL’s next Coffee Talk is serving a slice of St. Louis restaurant history—topped with broasted chicken, dough balls and a side of pizza pride. The guest this time is Dr. Harley Hammerman, whose "Lost Tables" podcast and website have become a...

They came for surgery. They stayed for survival.

They came for surgery. They stayed for survival.

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished April 18, 2025

Parents will do whatever is necessary to help their children thrive. That’s especially true for Harel and Raya Avrutsky. They created a loving home for their daughter Carmi and son Beeri.  There was one additional challenge for Beeri. He was born...

1928 Citroën B14 Coupe

Your guide to finding Jewish stories we featured inside ‘Roaring’ at the Art Museum

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 18, 2025

I’ve been hearing from quite a few of you who’ve already gone—or are planning to go—see “Roaring: Art, Fashion and the Automobile in France, 1918–1939” at the St. Louis Art Museum. One note stood out: “My husband and I just read your...

Chesterfield Chabad starting new teen leadership chapter

Chesterfield Chabad starting new teen leadership chapter

Published April 18, 2025

Chabad of Chesterfield is accepting applications for the Solomon Leadership Program chapter in Chesterfield. This initiative aims to cultivate leadership skills, foster community involvement and inspire the next generation of leaders. Successful participants...

John Pertzborn with the USO record featuring Wally Rosen.

His voice reached St. Louis in 1943 on a record. Now, thanks to John Pertzborn, it’s being heard again.

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 18, 2025

John Pertzborn is no stranger to good stories. The legendary St. Louis broadcaster—best known for his long-running "Pertzborn’s People" segment on KSDK-TV in the 1980s and '90s and as co-anchor of Fox 2’s morning news since 1998—has spent decades...

DePaul University in Chicago (Kmf164/Wikimedia Commons)

Chicago man charged with hate crime for attack of two Jewish students

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished April 17, 2025

(JTA) — One of the men who allegedly beat two Jewish DePaul University students after one showed support for Israel last November has been charged with a hate crime. Adam Erkan, 20, has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery and hate...

Gracie May

Local pageant winner champions Holocaust education and awareness

Published April 17, 2025

Gracie May recently won Miss Heartland Princess of America (ages 19-24) and is headed to nationals in July. The areas of competition were an interview, personal introduction, formal wear and an on-stage question. May’s platform is the need for Holocaust...

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