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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

War In Israel

Myles Rosenblum.

After two years in Israel’s paratroopers, Myles Rosenblum comes home with a story to tell

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished May 4, 2025

Myles Rosenblum, a 23-year-old IDF lone soldier from St. Louis, is returning home after two transformative years in the Israel Defense Forces. Serving in Israel’s elite Paratroopers Unit 101, Rosenblum’s journey—from intense combat training to frontline...

Iron dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles as rockets fired from Lebanon, as it seen over the Hula Valley, April 12, 2024. (Ayal Margolin/Flash90)

Trump’s 2026 budget request includes plans for an Israeli-inspired ‘Golden Dome for America’

Andrew Lapin, JTAPublished May 2, 2025

President Donald Trump’s proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2026 asks for a litany of cuts — from reductions in basic government functions to the elimination of what he calls “woke programs.” But there’s at least one area where Trump wants...

St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish LightPublished April 30, 2025

A solemn gathering of 300 community members commemorated Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) at the JCC on Tuesday evening, April 29. The ceremony consisted of readings and poems in Hebrew and English, a torch lighting, and a one-minute siren....

Rallies and social posts are great, but here’s how you can really stand with Israel right now

Rallies and social posts are great, but here’s how you can really stand with Israel right now

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish LightPublished April 28, 2025

When the St. Louis Jewish community gathers to show support for Israel and call for the release of hostages, those events do more than create a bond among those who attend. They are also noticed—and appreciated—in Israel. That was one of the revelations...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a city council meeting as the Council discusses a symbolic resolution calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, January 31, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. The resolution passed by a vote of 24 to 23 after Mayor Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Chicago mayor donned keffiyeh for Arab Heritage Month event, sparking outcry from Jewish groups

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished April 27, 2025

(JTA) — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson came under fire from local Jewish leaders after he wore a keffiyeh, or a traditional Palestinian headscarf, to a public event this week. The Chicago chapter of the Council on American–Islamic Relations posted...

Protesters at the pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Michigan, May 13, 2024, in Ann Arbor. (Adam J. Dewey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Authorities raid Michigan homes that advocates say belong to pro-Palestinian activists

Andrew Lapin, JTAPublished April 24, 2025

(JTA) — Federal and state agents in Michigan raided at least three different home addresses connected to pro-Palestinian protesters Wednesday. The raids — at homes in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Canton — were tied to a vandalism investigation...

Deborah Ben-Aderet and Arielle Turover Cohen.

From terror to healing: survivor of Oct. 7 attack shares her story in St. Louis

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 23, 2025

A powerful night of resilience, reflection and healing is coming to St. Louis. On April 28, just two days before Israel’s official day of remembrance, the local community will hear directly from Deborah Ben-Aderet, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks....

Sharon Osbourne attends the Los Angeles premiere of Focus Features 'The Bikeriders' at TCL Chinese Theatre on June 17, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Emma McIntyre/WireImage)

Sharon Osbourne calls for Kneecap to lose US visas after anti-Israel Coachella performance

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished April 23, 2025

Jewish stars are condemning Kneecap after the Irish band delivered an anti-Israel performance during its set at Coachella. At least one is calling for the Trump administration to revoke the band’s work visas in advance of its upcoming — and...

Screenshot of Merav Ceren's public LinkedIn page.

‘A patriotic American,’ White House says of adviser accused of dual loyalty to Israel

Mike Wagenheim, (JNS)Published April 22, 2025

The White House’s National Security Council confirmed on Monday that it hired Merav Ceren, a national and economic security expert, as its Israel and Iran director, after critics, including antisemitic ones, said that Ceren has a conflict of interest...

Ben Platt attends a discussion of his album "Honeymind" at 92NY on Oct. 9, 2024, in New York City.  (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

Backing fellow Jewish entertainer Hannah Einbinder, Ben Platt says his Jewish identity is ‘not defined’ by Israel

Grace Gilson, JTAPublished April 16, 2025

In his first major public comments about Israel since early in the Gaza war, the Jewish actor Ben Platt said his Jewish identity is not defined by Israel. Platt also voiced support for another Jewish actor, Hannah Einbinder, who has drawn criticism...

Reut Karp holds a portrait of her ex-husband, Dvir Karp, who was murdered by terrorists at Kibbutz Re’im, near Gaza, with two of his three children in the next room, on Oct. 7, 2023. Reut Karp now runs Cafe Otef Re’im, a coffeehouse in Tel Aviv that doubles as a retail store as well as a micro-enterprise hub for kibbutz evacuees and survivors.

‘Mom, dad was murdered’: Kibbutz mother takes action after Oct. 7 attacks by creating a cafe to heal herself, her family and the community

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished April 15, 2025

TEL AVIV — On the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, Reut Karp was staying with a friend outside Tel Aviv when she was awakened by sirens. It was Simchat Torah, and she was about two hours from home at Kibbutz Re’im, a close-knit community of 435 residents...

WashU’s Ayala Hendin returning to Israel, but not before one final conversation

WashU’s Ayala Hendin returning to Israel, but not before one final conversation

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 15, 2025

When Ayala Hendin arrived in St. Louis in the summer of 2022, she wasn’t just beginning a new academic chapter. She was coming home—sort of. Her parents had made aliyah in 1975, after her father was one of the first volunteers from St. Louis to fly...

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