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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A historic light: The west’s tallest menorah illuminates St. Louis for Hanukkah 2025

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published January 1, 2025
The Gateway Arch and Old Courthouse served as the backdrop for the lighting of the Staenberg Menorah for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, which ran Dec. 25 to Jan. 1.

The lighting coincided with Winterfest in Kiener Plaza downtown, where visitors could enjoy ice skating in the shadow of the 29-foot menorah. This year marks the second for the structure, the tallest menorah west of the Mississippi and the 10th largest menorah in the world. On the sixth night, Monday, Dec. 30, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones assisted with the ceremony as she lit the shamash.

Chanukah@The Arch, a Chabad of Greater St. Louis event sponsored by People’s National Bank, featured Rabbi Yosef Landa lighting the menorah each night, creating a festive and memorable celebration for the community.

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About the Contributor
Bill Motchan, writer/photographer
Bill worked in corporate communications for AT&T for 28 years. He is a former columnist for St. Louis Magazine. Bill has been a contributing writer for the Jewish Light since 2015 and is a three-time winner of the Rockower Award for excellence in Jewish Journalism. He also is a staff writer for the travel magazine Show-Me Missouri. Bill grew up in University City. He now lives in Olivette with his wife and cat, Hobbes. He is an avid golfer and a fan of live music. He has attended the New Orleans Jazzfest 10 times and he has seen Jimmy Buffett in concert more t han 30 times between 1985 and 2023.