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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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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...

Rabbi Rose heading north to Winnipeg

Rabbi Rose heading north to Winnipeg

Published April 17, 2025

Beginning July 1, Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose will be the new senior rabbi at Shaarey Zedek Congregation in Winnipeg, Canada. He is the former rabbi of Congregation B’nai Amoona in St. Louis and most recently served as president and CEO of the Mandel...

Amy Kuo Hammerman and Robert Snidman.

Two new faces join Ladue Board of Education

Published April 17, 2025

Amy Kuo Hammerman and Robert Snidman were sworn in as Ladue Schools Board of Education board members. A retired attorney, Hammerman currently serves as the NCJWSTL’s state policy advocate for Missouri and sits on the local board of the organization....

Jennifer Stempel

St. Louis author’s Jewish-Cuban children’s book set for release

Published April 17, 2025

Jennifer Stempel’s first children’s picture book, “With a Needle and Thread: A Jewish Folktale from Cuba,” will debut in October. The book is available for pre-order from major retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.). It tells the story...

One mystery donor. Hundreds of voices. A legacy saved.

One mystery donor. Hundreds of voices. A legacy saved.

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 16, 2025

The St. Louis Jewish community didn’t waste any time. Just three days after launching an emergency fundraising campaign to protect its digital archive of Holocaust survivor stories, the museum reached its $130,000 goal—and then surpassed it—thanks...

Alice Ludmer

Unsung Hero Alice Ludmer among the 2025 Women of Achievement

Published April 16, 2025

Alice Ludmer is among 10 local leaders to be honored as the 2025 Women of Achievement (Volunteer Leadership) at the 70th Anniversary Luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton on May 13. A biography on the Women of Achievement website noted that over the past...

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