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
All content by SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Mark Lavie.

“It’s a solid F+” — reporter slams media for failing Israel, ahead of St. Louis visit

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 8, 2025
Tab Cohen and his Pontiac

[Photo] Hot rods and heart: Jewish car lovers rev up memories and medals in Chesterfield

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 6, 2025
Yael Sabin

[Photo] Ladue lacrosse standout Yael Sabin to join Team Israel after record-breaking high school career

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 4, 2025
St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 30, 2025
Erika Schwartz

[Photo] Born in a ghetto, one day before it was sealed: Her story moved St. Louis to tears

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 27, 2025
They came for surgery. They stayed for survival.

They came for surgery. They stayed for survival.

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 18, 2025
The Passover Project Players back on stage for 2025.

[Photo] Standing room only—and no matzah ball soup left—at St. Louis’ musical seder

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published April 8, 2025
Crown Center Russian Seder

[Photo] From the Soviet Union to St. Louis: Russian Jews celebrate Passover in freedom

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 7, 2025
Danny Cohn, Chief Executive Officer of Jewish Federation of St. Louis

Big night of giving: JFed celebrates $8.7M in impact, honors community leaders

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published April 3, 2025
Aaron and Cynthia Vickar in the kichen of their Olivette home.

[Photo] Historic charm meets personal style inside the Vickars’ Olivette dream home

STORY & PHOTOS By BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published April 1, 2025
Big night for Mirowitz heroes: teachers, families honored at joyous gala

Big night for Mirowitz heroes: teachers, families honored at joyous gala

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 31, 2025
The Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Missouri Senate resolution affirms state’s support for Israel

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 26, 2025
New Games, Old Glory! Pinball, rock climbing & poker shake up the 2025 Senior Olympics

New Games, Old Glory! Pinball, rock climbing & poker shake up the 2025 Senior Olympics

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 26, 2025
Federation CEO Danny Cohn addressing a crowd of more than 150 people on Monday evening.

Eye-opening study becomes roadmap to a stronger St. Louis Jewish community

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 25, 2025
Shmuel Goodman

[Photo] He lost everything, beat cancer and rebuilt his life—here’s what he told St. Louis Jews

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published March 24, 2025
Steven Rosenzweig

Five questions with the new CEO at the J, Steven Rosenzweig

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 18, 2025
Milo London

Power Out? No problem! St. Louis synagogues overcome storm chaos for Shabbat & bar mitzvah

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 16, 2025
Bret and Mary Silverglate

Purim Parade Surprise: Popeye the Sailor Man’s Unexpected Jewish Connection!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 16, 2025
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
JPro Stl Recognition Event

Cheers to these champions! JPRO STL celebrates its best and brightest!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 6, 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
Noah Wyle in The Pitt.

Local Jewish ER doctors reveal what HBO’s “The Pitt” got right—and wrong!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 3, 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 Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Missouri lawmakers hear powerful testimony on antisemitism and discrimination bill

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published February 27, 2025
Hundreds gather in St. Louis to honor Israeli hostages—A night of light and hope

Hundreds gather in St. Louis to honor Israeli hostages—A night of light and hope

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published February 23, 2025
Judge Rachel Freier

[Photo] Staenberg Speaker Series continues to empower young professionals through mentorship

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published February 19, 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
PHOTOS: Music, faith & leadership: Inside the nation’s premier Songleader Boot Camp

PHOTOS: Music, faith & leadership: Inside the nation’s premier Songleader Boot Camp

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
Owen Daniels (10 years old), Liam Daniels (8 years old) and Nate Daniels (12 years old).

[Photo] Inside the Daniels brothers’ journey to mastering Jewish traditions and stacking up service honors!

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 10, 2025
Sam Donald, a senior at Columbia High School, is the fourth all-time leading scorer in the school’s history with 1,785 points and counting. Donald is pictured at a Feb. 1 game.

Metro East hoops star will be the youngest on U.S. men’s Maccabi squad

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 5, 2025
Chart-topping podcast creators return to St. Louis for an exclusive event at STL Stylehouse

Chart-topping podcast creators return to St. Louis for an exclusive event at STL Stylehouse

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 28, 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
Noble and Eugeniya Ilyashov

Small hands, big difference: Preschoolers learn the value of community service on MLK Day

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 20, 2025
Eden Golan, on stage Thursday, Jan. 16 at The Factory.

Photos: Eden Golan’s anthem ‘Hurricane’ sparks unity and emotion in Chesterfield

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published January 16, 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
Orly David Peters.

St. Louis entrepreneur’s new app is changing how we share food and stories

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 14, 2025
Then-University City High School students Bernie Steinberg and Myron Kinberg hold the state wrestling trophy.

From wrestling champs to Jewish legends: The incredible story of Myron and Bernie

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 7, 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
A historic light: The west’s tallest menorah illuminates St. Louis for Hanukkah 2025

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

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published January 1, 2025

Hanukkah High Notes: Mirowitz students dazzle in ‘Extravaganukkah’ showcase

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 22, 2024
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
Staenberg Menorah in downtown St. Louis

[Photo] Lighting of 29’ Staenberg Menorah to take Place Every Night of Hanukkah

Published December 17, 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
The old ZBT house at 7020 Forsyth Blvd.

Demolished but not forgotten: Chabad breathes new life Into ZBT lot at WashU

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 11, 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
Ken Weintraub

[Photo] Ken Weintraub: Ex-social worker is dedicated to improving lives of veterans

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published December 5, 2024
Above, from left, Harvey Iken, Rabbi Daniel Sentell and Bruce Waxman take part in a Partners in Torah session at Nusach Hari B’nai Zion in November. Photo: Bill Motchan

St. Louis Torah study group forging friendships while exploring ancient texts

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 4, 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
Barb and Rich Kramer

Meet the ‘lasagna queen’ who’s dished out 250 trays and her husband who delivers the goods!

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 3, 2024
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