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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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From left, Amy Albertson, Menachem Silverstein and Jodi Innerfield are among the Jewish content creators using the #ofcourse social media trend to tackle antisemitism. Courtesy of Amy Albertson, Menachem Silverstein, Jodi Innerfield.

Videos declaring ‘I’m Jewish, Of Course!’ are trending. Here’s why.

By Beth Harpaz, The ForwardPublished February 21, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. A recent social media trend features humorous videos built around the words “Of course!” paired with comments that...

Bruce Friedman, a Jewish father in Clay County, Florida, has successfully pushed his public school to remove "Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation" and has challenged thousands of other books.

Prominent Jewish book-ban advocate says Florida’s crackdown on ‘frivolous challenges’ won’t deter him

Published February 20, 2024

  (JTA) – After two years of Florida schools making headlines for pulling Anne Frank’s diary, “Schindler’s List,” Saul Bellow novels and other Jewish books, Ron DeSantis has conceded that his state’s book challenge policy has gone...

Prince William calls for more aid to Gaza, release of hostages

Rolene Marks (JNS)Published February 20, 2024

  Britain’s Prince William released a statement on Tuesday calling for more aid into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip as well as the release of the remaining 134 Israeli hostages being held by Palestinian terrorists. “I remain deeply concerned...

Neo-Nazi with swastika face tattoo on the run in Alaska

Neo-Nazi with swastika face tattoo on the run in Alaska

JNS UPDATE DESKPublished February 20, 2024

  A neo-Nazi with multiple Nazi tattoos, including a swastika on the back of his head, is on the run in Anchorage, Ala., Inside Edition reported. Alexander Netling, who goes by “Bruiser,” was sentenced to five years in prison in March 2019...

Contrails of Israeli Iron Dome anti-missile defense system strike Hamas rockets overhead as Hamas militants in Gaza continue fire into Israel, despite being targeted by more than 14,000 strikes during eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground offensive, in Sderot, Israel, Dec. 4, 2023. (Scott Peterson/Getty Images)

Joe Biden is pressing Congress to send $14B to Israel. What is the emergency aid for?

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished February 20, 2024

  WASHINGTON, D.C. (JTA) — For months, President Joe Biden has asked for — and Congress has debated — sending wartime foreign aid to Israel as it battles Hamas in the Gaza Strip.  The bill currently on the table, passed in a bipartisan...

Outcry as neo-Nazis parade with swastika flags in Nashville

Outcry as neo-Nazis parade with swastika flags in Nashville

Jewish News SyndicatePublished February 19, 2024

Dozens of neo-Nazis bearing black swastika flags marched at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville on Saturday, drawing widespread condemnation from Jewish and political leaders, including two state representatives who blamed state Republicans for the...

In "God and Country," a documentary produced by Rob Reiner, footage from real events showcases the signs and symbols of growing Christian nationalism in the United States. (Screenshot)

In new documentary Rob Reiner shines a light on Christian nationalism

Stephen Silver, JTAPublished February 19, 2024

  (JTA) — Rob Reiner, best known for his acting role in the 1970s sitcom “All in the Family” and for directing a series of beloved comedies — including “This is Spinal Tap,” “The Princess Bride” and “When Harry Met Sally”...

Supervisors at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office told attorney Debra Gassman that she could not display this photo of herself in her office. It was taken when she volunteered from the Israel Defense Forces in 2002. Courtesy of Debra Gassman

Illinois lawyer suing to display a photo of herself holding a gun in front of an Israeli flag

By Lauren Markoe, The ForwardPublished February 18, 2024

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward's free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. The photo, which Debra Gassman says has hung on her office wall for more than 20 years, shows her smiling in front of...

Ethan Smith participates in a live broadcast to fellow teens at the BBYO convention in Orlando, Florida, Feb. 16, 2024.

Today’s college hunt takes a twist for Jewish teens grappling with antisemitism

Jacob Gurvis, Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)Published February 16, 2024

ORLANDO (JTA) —  Ethan Smith ranks fifth in his New Jersey high school class, scored high on the SAT and aced a full slate of five Advanced Placement tests last year. On Oct. 1, he submitted his application to a nearby Ivy League school, the University...

Raël standing near a model of the Elohim spaceship he says took him to an alien world.

Meet the cult who believes alien race will land their spaceship in Israel

Mira Fox, The ForwardPublished February 15, 2024

What if Elohim — a Hebrew term for God — created humanity, just like in Genesis? But what if Elohim actually referred to a race of aliens? What if the land of Israel will, indeed, welcome the revelation with the construction of the Third Temple, but...

arrives at the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Jan. 22, 2023.

Israeli FM slams UN for calling Hamas ‘political movement’

AKIVA VAN KONINGSVELD, Jewish News SyndicatePublished February 15, 2024

  Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Thursday slammed Martin Griffiths, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator at the United Nations, for describing the Hamas terrorist organization as a "political...

Rep. Andy Levin speaks at a press conference introducing his "Two-State Solution Act" on Capitol Hill, Sept. 23, 2021. He is flanked by, from left: Hadar Susskind, the president and CEO of Americans for Peace Now; Rep. Alan Lowenthal; Rep. Sara Jacobs; Rep. Peter Welch; and J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. (Ron Kampeas)

Liberal Zionist groups Americans for Peace Now and Ameinu to merge

Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished February 15, 2024

  WASHINGTON (JTA) — Two decades-old liberal-leaning pro-Israel groups, Americans for Peace Now and Ameinu, are poised to merge — a consolidation of voices in the liberal Zionist camp amid Israel’s war with Hamas. The presidents of...

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