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
David Halpern with Adam Heller, Jill Abramovitz, Samantha Massell, Barrie Kreinik and Cheryl Stern

Jewish actors reveal emotional connection to ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the Muny

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published July 21, 2024
Ben Porembas The Benevolent King closes doors: What went wrong?

Ben Poremba’s ‘The Benevolent King’ closes doors: What went wrong?

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 17, 2024
From knishes to heartache: How St. Louisans are mourning Kohns Kosher Deli closure

From knishes to heartache: How St. Louisans are mourning Kohn’s Kosher Deli closure

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published July 16, 2024
Why are Kosher delis disappearing

Why are Kosher delis disappearing

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published July 16, 2024
Director and star discuss Fiddler on the Roof at The Muny

Director and star discuss ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at The Muny

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published July 15, 2024
Kohns Killer Pastrami lives on at Busch Stadium

Kohn’s ‘Killer Pastrami’ lives on at Busch Stadium

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published July 11, 2024
Kohn’s Kosher Meat and Deli

[Photo] Kohn’s Kosher and Meat Deli sued for $150,000 by Chicago supplier

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief
Published July 10, 2024
Jewish Federation of St. Louis building is now known as the Kaplan Feldman Complex. Photo: Bill Motchan

Jewish Federation search committee working to find agency’s next CEO

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 10, 2024
Kohns Deli

[Photo] St. Louis’ only Kosher deli closes: Kohn’s shutters after 60 years

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-Chief
Published July 9, 2024
Despite the heat, Laz Jazz Fest ignites Grand Arts District

Despite the heat, Laz Jazz Fest ignites Grand Arts District

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published June 30, 2024
Paul Mendelson

How Paul Mendelson’s tennis legacy continues to thrive at Central Institute for the Deaf

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 25, 2024
Brad Hartman

Why Kosher rules and ‘The Bear’ keep the J’s Brad Hartman on his toes

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 25, 2024
Steve Gallant signs a blank wall at the J in Chesterfield at a donor event Monday to announce $14.6 million of renovations that is scheduled to be completed in September 2025. $12 million has already been raised. Donors were invited to sign the wall and send their best wishes to the future of the Marilyn Fox Building and the J in Chesterfield.

Supporters see renovation progress at JCC’s Marilyn Fox Building donor event

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 24, 2024
First look at the Marilyn Fox Building transformation

First look at the Marilyn Fox Building transformation

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 23, 2024
Farilyn Hale and Ken Berger.

Love on Ice: Blues fan finds fiancé through mutual love of hockey

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 13, 2024
Photos: Four St. Louis Reform congregations unite for first ever intercongregational Shavuot celebration

Photos: Four St. Louis Reform congregations unite for first ever intercongregational Shavuot celebration

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 13, 2024
Best Year Ever! How these Israeli teens embraced living in St. Louis

Best Year Ever! How these Israeli teens embraced living in St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 12, 2024
Rabbi Jared Skoff

Next-Gen Rabbi: Jared Skoff joins B’nai Amoona

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 12, 2024
Did you hear the one about 400 Jewish guys and a comedian who met at The Factory?

Did you hear the one about 400 Jewish guys and a comedian who met at The Factory?

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 10, 2024
JFeds Men’s Event promises laughter and connection

JFed’s ‘Men’s Event’ promises laughter and connection

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 6, 2024
St. Louis CITY SC signs Jewish Australian midfielder

St. Louis CITY SC signs Jewish Australian midfielder

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 6, 2024
Sherilyn and Barry Krell at the grave of Sam Rubin, an Army private from St. Louis who died in Normandy in 1944.

St. Louisans help son forge tie to father killed at Normandy

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 5, 2024
Ellen Futterman, Jordan Palmer and Bill Motchan.

St. Louis Jewish Light wins six Rockower Awards

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 4, 2024
5,000 lbs. of produce, 13,000 meals, and more. The astonishing impact of our JCC

5,000 lbs. of produce, 13,000 meals, and more. The astonishing impact of our JCC

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published May 30, 2024
Dr. Yaffa Ashur

[Photo] Israeli doctor shares with us how hospitals serve Arab colleagues, patients, and even terrorists

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 29, 2024
From left: Noah Wolk, Erik Marx and Ari Willick

[Photo] Meet three St. Louis Jewish teens making a difference

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 28, 2024
St. Louis Scouts place 8,500 flags at Jewish veteran graves in Memorial Day tribute

St. Louis Scouts place 8,500 flags at Jewish veteran graves in Memorial Day tribute

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 27, 2024
Scott Schwartz

Inspiration ignites triumph at the St. Louis Senior Olympics

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 27, 2024
Dan Ahdoot.

The funniest Iranian Jew in the world is coming to St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 15, 2024
Israeli Scouts spread joy and funny Hebrew lyrics to St. Louis children

Israeli Scouts spread joy and funny Hebrew lyrics to St. Louis children

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 15, 2024
Maxine Mirowitz

300 + enjoy Israel Independence Day in Chesterfield

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 14, 2024
Jeanette, David and Alvin Goldfarb.

The Jewish family behind St. Louis’ nursing school powerhouse

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 14, 2024
Oskar Jakob and Suzanne Rico

How this St. Louis Holocaust survivor and a Nazi descendant found each other to share their stories

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 13, 2024
St. Louis remembers hostages, fallen IDF soldiers in solemn ceremony on Sunday

St. Louis remembers hostages, fallen IDF soldiers in solemn ceremony on Sunday

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 12, 2024
Felicia Malter and Chad Wallis

JFed recognizes visionary leaders for dedication and achievement

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 9, 2024
Dee Dee Simon and Governor Mike Parson

[Photo] Missouri Governor honors Holocaust survivors, educators

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 7, 2024
Rain Canis-Chidster

Photos: B’nai Amoona Mitzvah Day

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 6, 2024
Rabbi Lori Levine of Congregation Shaare Emeth

[Photo] Rabbi Lori Levine to lead dynamic new JproSTL board

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published May 8, 2024
Play, eat, think and socialize your way to unlocking healthy aging

Play, eat, think and socialize your way to unlocking healthy aging

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 6, 2024
Fran Poger.

St. Louis remembers, reflects and renews commitment to ‘Never Again Is Now’ on Yom HaShoah

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published May 5, 2024
Sun Ra Arkestra, Brothers Lazaroff to headline second annual Laz Jazz Fest

Sun Ra Arkestra, Brothers Lazaroff to headline second annual ‘Laz Jazz Fest’

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 28, 2024
Rabbi Mike Rovinsky, JSU director.

[Photo] JSU St. Louis finds new digs, set to transform Jewish teen experience

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 24, 2024
Passover Project

[Photo] PHOTOS: ‘The Passover Project’ is the musical seder sensation of the future

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published April 19, 2024
Peter Martin.

[Photo] 7,000 jazz musicians can’t be wrong. How St. Louis’ Peter Martin is transforming music education

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 12, 2024
Owlivia.

Baby Owlivia has flown the coop

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 12, 2024
Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, Mirjam Heutink and Naomi Petel Adle.

Survivors of Hamas attack visit St. Louis, sharing painful memories and grateful testimony

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 5, 2024
Madam Owlberta Wobblewings and her mama owl

Madam Owlberta Wobblewings now has a Jewish home for her baby

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 4, 2024
Remembering Esther Schimmel, the hot dog queen of Cardinals baseball

Remembering Esther Schimmel, the hot dog queen of Cardinals baseball

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 3, 2024
500 attend UCity Purim Parade filled with pizzaz and surprising twists

500 attend UCity Purim Parade filled with pizzaz and surprising twists

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 24, 2024
Lance Levine is the fourth-generation owner of Levine Hats.

Levine Hat Co. still going strong after 120 years of style, service and stories

Bill Motchan, Special to the jewish Light
Published March 21, 2024
Brothers Lazaroff and a host of musicians will perform at “The Passover Project: A Musical Seder,” at City Winery on Thursday, April 18.

[Photo] Musical ‘Passover Project’ at City Winery will benefit Jewish Light

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Published March 21, 2024
JCC - Fox Building

[Photo] The J announces $13M renovation of Marilyn Fox Building in Chesterfield

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 17, 2024
Becky Gerson

Meet birth coach and doula Becky Gerson

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 13, 2024

Everything you need to know about the University City Purim Parade ’24

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 12, 2024
Michael Staenberg, recipient of special recognition honors

Staenberg, Pereles, 10 St. Louis community leaders, honored by JPro

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 7, 2024
Main Headquarters staff of 21st General Hospital - April 1945

Retired radiologist Harry Agress Jr. returns home to honor legacy of Base Hospital 21

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 7, 2024
Abbie Strauss

[Photo] Former St. Louis cantor hits all the notes singing national anthem at Cardinals game

By Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 6, 2024
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