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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

A long exposure picture shows Iron Dome firing interception missiles, as seen from the southern Israeli city of Ashdod on May 16, 2021. Photo by Avi Roccah/Flash90

Everything you need to know about Israel’s Iron Dome

By Naama Barak, Israel21cPublished April 17, 2024

The current round of violence between Israel and Iran, as well as Hamas in the Gaza Strip erupted with a literal boom as rockets and drones were fired from Iran toward Israel. They set off rocket attack sirens that have become the soundtrack of the...

Esther Panitch, a state representative, in the Georgia House of Representatives chamber in the state Capitol in Atlanta, on Jan. 25, 2024. Credit: Georgia House of Representatives.

‘My southern Jewish … way of saying bless their hearts,’ says state rep who buys trees in Israel for trolls

Menachem Wecker, JNSPublished April 16, 2024

Esther Panitch was inspired when Renee Evans, of the World Jewish Congress, bought trees in Israel recently for Peach State legislators who voted in favor of a bill to codify into law the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working...

Nov 4, 2023; Altoona, Iowa, United States; Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman speaks at the Iowa Democrats Liberty and Justice Celebration. Mandatory Credit: Rachel Mummey-The Des Moines Register

Sen. Fetterman: ‘Astonishing’ the U.S. is ‘not standing firmly’ with Israel

By Jacob Kornbluh, The ForwardPublished April 15, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, lambasted President Joe Biden’s recent critique of Israel’s action...

Yehonatan, Naama, Or and Ofer behind the scenes with their cake while filming their first Taste of Memories recipe video.

St. Louis Shinshinim hosting ‘Taste of Memories’ honoring a fallen IDF’s soldier’s favorite foods

MEGAN RUBENSTEIN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished April 14, 2024

For the last seven years, the Jewish Federation of St. Louis has brought a group of shinshinim, or young Israeli emissaries, to St. Louis. They share a taste of Israeli culture through their presence in the community and lead programming at local synagogues,...

People take cover in a stairway in Jerusalem, as a red alert is sounded when drones and missiles fired from Iran neared Israel, April 14, 2024.

As Jews do, Israelis awaiting Iranian missile barrage, counter with humor

Philissa Cramer, JTAPublished April 14, 2024

(JTA) — The sirens started blaring all over Israel just before 2 a.m. — in the south, in the north, near army bases around the country and, unusually, in and around Jerusalem. The sirens are meant to stop Israelis in their tracks — or wake...

President Joe Biden meets with his top Cabinet and National Security officials to discuss Iran's attacks on Israel, at the White House, April 13, 2024. (White House)

Iran’s attack draws Israel and US closer together after weeks of growing tension

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished April 13, 2024

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Unqualified public expressions of support for Israel from President Joe Biden. The United States and other nations scrambling to protect Israel from rockets. Congress accelerating defense assistance to Israel. When Iran attacked...

An Iranian missil is intercepted over Tel Aviv on April 14, 2024. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

Iran attacks Israel: How we got here and what might happen next

Ben Sales, JTAPublished April 13, 2024

(JTA) — On Saturday night, Iran fired more than 200 missiles and drones at Israel.  The unprecedented attack — from Iranian soil to Israeli territory — is the most direct confrontation ever between the two longtime adversaries. It threatens...

Iran launches dozens of drones at Israel, risking an escalation in the Israel-Hamas war

RON KAMPEAS, JTAPublished April 13, 2024

(JTA) — Iran launched dozens of drones at Israel, a gambit that may be aimed at swarming Israel’s air defenses. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was ready to strike back, portending an escalation in the Israel-Hamas war. “We...

A poster of Shani Louk, 22, who was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, at a campus rally against an award presented by the University of Missouri for a photo of her body, April 5, 2024.

Campus rally challenges Missouri award for photo of Shani Louk’s body

David Swindle, JNSPublished April 10, 2024

A prestigious award given by the University of Missouri to a photojournalist who took an image depicting the half-naked body of Shani Louk, a 22-year-old Israeli murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct. 7, has...

Each of the hostages held by Hamas were represented. Chabad of the Space &Treasure Coast presented the Israel Unity Menorah unity Parade, followed by a unity ceremony, a Chanukah concert by the Kavana Band, and a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Chabad.

Report: Hamas cannot produce 40 hostages for ceasefire deal

By Beth Harpaz, The ForwardPublished April 10, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Hamas says it does not have 40 hostages to release in exchange for a ceasefire, CNN reported Wednesday. Until now,...

Members of Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Hamas movement, attend a rally in Beit Lahiya on May 30, 2021. Photo by Atia Mohammed/Flash90  *** Local Caption *** ????
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Hamas rejects ceasefire offer in Cairo

Andrew Bernard, (JNS)Published April 8, 2024

Hamas rejected the latest ceasefire proposal on Monday, according to senior officials in the terror organization as reported by multiple news outlets. “We reject the latest Israeli proposals that the Egyptian side informed us of. The politburo met...

 Israelis attend a rally calling for the release of Israelis held kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, at "Hostage Square" in Tel Aviv, Feb. 24, 2024. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90.

Thousands expected at Jerusalem rally marking six months since Oct. 7

Amelie Botbol, JNSPublished April 7, 2024

Thousands of Israelis are expected to converge on Jerusalem’s Yaka Square on Sunday evening for a rally to mark six months since Hamas’s Oct. 7 massacre and demand the release of 133 remaining hostages being held in Gaza. According to the Hostages...

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