Michele Friedman Siler describes herself as “unsung” by nature, a person who “hides from cameras, ditches photo opps and doesn’t look for publicity.” The idea of being honored by the Jewish Light as an uppercase Unsung Hero just doesn’t sound...

"FLY!" That's the word that “flew” into my head as my middle child was on the cusp of graduating from preschool. While it may seem to be an insignificant milestone, compared to the many others that we, as parents or guardians will face in the...

Journalist Barbara Walters died last week at the age of 93. Walters was the granddaughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. She began working in television in the early 1950’s, eventually becoming the Today Show “Today Girl,” presenting weather and...

As the year ends and some of us make resolutions, looks often come up in what we can change. We suggest a different strategy. Looks have never been topmost, though we like to look good. We have our reasons. Growing up, Margaret's mother preached: "Pretty...

A year ago, we spent New Year's Eve together and with a few others. Before the clock struck Midnight, we decided as a group not to share our resolutions since we often break the vows, setting ourselves up for failure. We adhere to the atavistic adage:...

When it comes to celebrating Hanukkah, Chabad in the St. Louis area likes to go big, as in really big. Among noteworthy events, there will be a menorah lighting near the Arch and on Historic Main Street in St. Charles, just a stone’s throw away...

This story was commissioned by the River City Journalism Fund as part of its series Shadow of Death, which considers St. Louis County’s use of the death penalty. When Missouri executioners injected Kevin Johnson with a lethal dose of pentobarbital...

This story was commissioned by the River City Journalism Fund as part of its series Shadow of Death, which considers St. Louis County’s use of the death penalty. On November 20, 2003, 45-year-old Beverly Guenther was abducted outside the office where...

It happens to most of us and can be a gut-punch. You have a strong relationship with someone and suddenly they disappear. Poof. It's called ghosting and occurs when a person stops communicating with another without warning. They disappear into thin...

It's almost the start of the big holiday whirl. We're busy shopping and spending money on gifts, gathering with friends and relatives at home and out and about to toast our togetherness. We feel we're hemorrhaging money while spending almost $4 a gallon...