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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

Yiddish

An ode to ‘Oy’ — the perfect Yiddish word

An ode to ‘Oy’ — the perfect Yiddish word

By Kelly Lea Roth, KvellerPublished July 17, 2022

From an early age, we are taught that words matter and so we should choose them wisely. For me, this is where all facets of myself converge. As a high school English Literature and Drama teacher, words are my lessons. As a Jew, “mila,” the word...

No idea why my zayde would say this in Yiddish, but he did, a lot

No idea why my zayde would say this in Yiddish, but he did, a lot

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 27, 2022

Since joining the Jewish Light, I’ve reflected on my own Jewish experience growing up, and part of that was the Yiddish, my grandparents would use, particularly my maternal grandparents, Mama and Baba. Both would use Yiddish on occasion, and not...

My bubbe told me to do this after meeting my future wife

My bubbe told me to do this after meeting my future wife

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 21, 2022

Since joining the Jewish Light, I’ve reflected on my own Jewish experience growing up, and part of that was the Yiddish, my grandparents would use, particularly my maternal grandparents, Mama and Baba. Both would use Yiddish on occasion, and not knowing...

My bubbe told me to do this if I was "bored." Bet yours did too.

My bubbe told me to do this if I was “bored.” Bet yours did too.

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished June 13, 2022

It’s truly amazing how long it takes till you really understand your bubbe or at least a part of her, you took for granted. Since joining the Jewish Light, I’ve reflected on my own Jewish experience growing up, and part of that was the Yiddish,...

Why I pray I'll never become a Schmegoogle

Why I pray I’ll never become a Schmegoogle

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished April 11, 2022

I ran across a book today, that I just had to tell you about. It's written by Daniel Klein, who figured that Yiddish needed an update to make it more conducive in modern times.  He penned "Schmegoogle: Yiddish Words for Modern Times," which contains...

Don't read this weeks' 'Yiddish Word(s)', it's just a 'bubbe meises'

Don’t read this weeks’ ‘Yiddish Word(s)’, it’s just a ‘bubbe meises’

Published March 7, 2022

Bring on the ‘bubbe meises’: A look at Jewish superstitions Never toss a hat on a bed. Always close a holy book when you finish reading it. Spit three times when you hear good or bad news. Many of us grew up hearing and adhering to these...

What your bubbe meant when she said 'gey strashe di gens'

What your bubbe meant when she said ‘gey strashe di gens’

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished February 28, 2022

According to the YIVO, the Institute of Jewish Research, the term “Yiddish” is derived from the German word for “Jewish.” The most accepted (but not the only) theory of the origin of Yiddish is that it began to take shape by the 10th century...

Chopped liver's redemption found in The Yiddish Word(s) Of The Week

Chopped liver’s redemption found in The Yiddish Word(s) Of The Week

Published February 14, 2022

According to the YIVO, the Institute of Jewish Research, the term “Yiddish” is derived from the German word for “Jewish.” The most accepted (but not the only) theory of the origin of Yiddish is that it began to take shape by the 10th century...

Something funny my Bubbe used to say in Yiddish

Something funny my Bubbe used to say in Yiddish

Published February 7, 2022

It’s truly amazing how long it takes till you really understand your grandfather or at least a part of him, you took for granted. Since joining the Jewish Light, I’ve reflected on my own Jewish experience growing up, and part of that was the Yiddish,...

Yiddish Word Of The Day: Gevaldig

Yiddish Word Of The Day: Gevaldig

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished January 31, 2022

According to the YIVO, the Institute of Jewish Research, the term “Yiddish” is derived from the German word for “Jewish.” The most accepted (but not the only) theory of the origin of Yiddish is that it began to take shape by the 10th century...

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