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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

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.

All content by Bill Motchan
Bagels and Bliss brings fresh kosher bagels to St. Louis

Bagels and Bliss brings fresh kosher bagels to St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 10, 2025
Everything you need to know about this year's 'Purim Parade'

Everything you need to know about this year’s ‘Purim Parade’

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 10, 2025
The Iftar that brought 200 people of different faiths together

The Iftar that brought 200 people of different faiths together

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 5, 2025
Bnai Amoona 140th Anniversary: 
Event co-chairs Michael Rubin, Jackie Levin, Judy Abrams and Rick Abrams

140 years of faith and community: A night to remember!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 2, 2025
The Avrutsky family (parents Raya and Harel, son Beeri and daughter Carmi) from Israel stayed at the Ohel Rina and Michael Bikur Cholim House in University City (above) while Beeri was undergoing surgery and months of rehabilitation.

[Photo] St. Louis Jewish community supports Israeli family during medical journey

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 18, 2025
Darren Grodsky and Danny Jacobs

[Photo] Hollywood duo brings hit podcast home—and fans can’t get enough!

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 14, 2025
Greg Yawitz, David Yawitz, Debbie Rahn (Olde Towne Fenton DAR) and Cyndy Woller (Olde Towne Fenton DAR)

Family of WWII pilot receives Purple Heart Patriot honor from DAR

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 27, 2025
The J’s Fox Building renovation, adult day center on target for fall

The J’s Fox Building renovation, adult day center on target for fall

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 22, 2025
An Ashrei Foundation volunteer Bill Rowe fills out paperwork to assist an individual in applying for a Missouri photo ID.

[Photo] Rabbi-led photo ID project helps fix Missouri’s broken system

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Published January 21, 2025
Remember when The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closed its doors

Remember when The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closed its doors

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 15, 2025
Photos! Israeli siblings in STL see snow for very first time

Photos! Israeli siblings in STL see snow for very first time

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 5, 2025
David, Mila, Emmett and Raymee Alper. The menorah Mila is holding was designed and created by David, who is a glass artist.

[Photo] When holidays collide: How interfaith families are blending traditions on same-day ‘Christmakkuh’

Story & Photo By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 18, 2024
Bagel baker Raekwon Kinnard, and owner/partners William Goldmeier and Giti Fredman

Bliss! Kosher bagel shop rising on Delmar

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 15, 2024
Photos: Brothers Lazaroff rock out at Hanukkah Hullabaloo 14

Photos: Brothers Lazaroff rock out at Hanukkah Hullabaloo 14

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 8, 2024
Linda Sandmel

[Photo] “Crabby Linda” reveals her secret to a life of joy, love and why some call her “Crabby Linda”

BY MEGAN RUBENSTEIN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 3, 2024
Olivette Mayor Missy Waldman (center) presents a check to JFS and the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry

Olivette Turkey Trot raises $25,000 for Kornblum food pantry

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 1, 2024
Longtime B’nai B’rith lodge in St. Louis closes

Longtime B’nai B’rith lodge in St. Louis closes

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 25, 2024
Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns on December 7

Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns on December 7

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 17, 2024
How the Olivette Turkey Trot’s will help feed Thousands!

How the Olivette Turkey Trot’s will help feed Thousands!

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 13, 2024
Oct.7

[Photo] One Year Later: St. Louis honors victims of Oct. 7 attack

Ellen Futterman and Jordan Palmer
Published October 7, 2024
Aug 28, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chaim Bloom, Chief Baseball Officer of the Boston Red Sox on the field before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.

Chaim Bloom will be the Cardinals general manager, after next season

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 30, 2024
FROM LEFT: Ziv Shalev, Roni Shhory, Gaya Zohar and Roni Scheuer

Meet the Israeli teens bringing hope and culture to St. Louis!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published September 25, 2024
Tombstone of First Lieutenant Frank I. Yawitz

Honoring a forgotten hero: 80 years later, Lt. Frank Yawitz remembered

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 24, 2024
John Burroughs School  is naming its baseball field for Andy Katzman (left), assistant coach of the Burroughs Bombers, who was also a star student athlete at the school in the 1980s.

From player to icon: how Andy Katzman built a baseball dynasty

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published September 23, 2024
A first look inside UH's newly renovated Millstone Sanctuary

A first look inside UH’s newly renovated Millstone Sanctuary

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published September 9, 2024
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