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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
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
Monroe Ginsburg

Photos: St. Charles Jewish Festival welcomes thousands

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published August 25, 2024
St. Louisans mark 10 months since Hamas attack

St. Louisans mark 10 months since Hamas attack

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published August 7, 2024
Photo by Bill Motchan.

St. Louis Jewish community steps up big for area kids

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light=
Published August 5, 2024
At the St. Charles Jewish Festival this August, visitors were greeted by an oversized shipping container and artist Zack Smithey. Together, the community helped paint the container and decorate it with hundreds of hearts and Jewish-themed imagery, like Shabbat candles. It would become the new sukkah of the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Charles County, Mo.

Giant Jewish family festival moving to new location

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published August 4, 2024
Nate's Kosher Deli to revive beloved Kohn's pastrami recipe

Nate’s Kosher Deli to revive beloved Kohn’s pastrami recipe

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 30, 2024
Darryle Clott, at the Midwest Consortium of Holocaust Educators

Why educators are flocking to the St. Louis Holocaust Museum

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 30, 2024
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[Photo] Schnucks adds more kosher options at Ladue Crossing store

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 28, 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
Kohn's '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
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
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