Bringing Jewish women together

I have lived in the St. Louis area since 1977 and have always been involved in the Jewish community. It has often been said that our community lacks cohesiveness — that we focus more on our differences than our similarities. The results of the recent Pew study strongly suggest that we, as Jews, must look at ourselves as one. 

The Jewish women of St. Louis are doing just that: We have created the Jewish Women’s Society of St. Louis, a group which will “embrace the values of our Jewish heritage, emphasizing living harmoniously with self, family and community. We will provide programming and support for Jewish women of all backgrounds to strengthen their Jewish identity and commitment to the Jewish life in St. Louis and Israel.” Please join us on this important and exciting adventure. Together, we can make an impact.

For more information, please contact us at 314-527-1719 or [email protected].

Peggy Umansky, Chairperson 

Jewish Women’s Society of St. Louis 

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Response to editorial

[Regarding the March 12 editorial, “Springing Forward”] I would encourage the editorial board of the Light to continue reading Commentary, since that may inject your opinions with some realism rather than false optimism about the peace process. 

While Mahmoud Abbas speaks nicely to Israeli teenagers, it is important to remember that this is the man that uses humanitarian aid to salary terrorists, allows continued anti-Semitic incitement and states he will not allow one Jew to live in Palestine. In fact, merely to start negotiations, Abbas forced Israel to release more than 100 murderers that the Palestinian Authority lauded as heroes. Furthermore, Abbas is now in the 10^th year of a four-year term. Does he represent any significant part of the Palestinian population? If Israel reaches an agreement with him, will it continue once Abbas retires or dies? 

The peace process so far has lead to intifadas and numerous casualties. After withdrawal from Gaza and Lebanon lead to Hamas and Hezbollah, we cannot be surprised that Israel would insist upon its security needs as a top priority. 

To support Israel, we should insist upon this as well.  

Even though the peace framework is the proposal of an American administration, we need to ask the difficult questions about implementation. This begins with the recognition that the true obstacle to peace is not Israeli settlements, it is the inability of the Palestinians to accept a Jewish state, no matter what its size.

Laura Goldmeier

Creve Coeur