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
Healing in Nature

How a Montana wilderness retreat, born in St. Louis, is tranforming Israeli soldiers’ lives

Bill Motchan, Chief Digital Content Officer
Published October 21, 2024
Mat DeWinters, the J’s director of sports, recreation and day camps.

Play world-famous courses like Bandon Dunes without leaving the J—try the new golf simulator!

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 17, 2024
Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns on December 7

Hanukkah Hullabaloo returns on December 7

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 17, 2024
Doug and Caryn Rudman.

Rudman family celebrates 30 years of Sukkah tradition with nature-themed structure

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 15, 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
Rob Loewenstein (center) and his sons, Michael (left) and Drew, sound the shofar during a service of remembrance at New Mount Sinai Cemetery in 2018 (this year’s service takes place Oct. 6). File photo: Bill Motchan

Skill in sounding the shofar runs through the generations in the Loewenstein family

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 3, 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
Rabbi Simon Jacobson Reveals Schneerson’s Formula for Leadership Success

Photos: Rabbi Simon Jacobson reveals Schneerson’s formula for leadership success

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published September 23, 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
From Cicero’s Steps to the Stage: Silverman Brothers bring Jazz Fusion to Clayton Jazz Festival

From Cicero’s Steps to the Stage: Silverman Brothers bring Jazz Fusion to Clayton Jazz Festival

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 4, 2024
Clockwise from top left: Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Ori Danino, Almog Sarusi and Alexander Lobanov, in photos released by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.Credit...The Hostages and Missing Families Forum

St. Louis Jewish community mourns tragic loss of six hostages murdered by Hamas

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published September 2, 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
Avi Rosenberg

He’s not Nate, but close: Meet Avi Rosenberg, owner of ‘Nate’s Kosher Deli,’ opening today

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
Michael Staenberg at the Crown Center Art Dedication.

Michael Staenberg transforms Crown Center with new art donation

Bill Motchan
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
53884979348_8696481838_k

[Photo] Schnucks adds more kosher options at Ladue Crossing store

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 28, 2024
1,000 copies of Cynthia Kagan Frohlichstein's "The Perils of the Peanut Butter Kid" donated to annual Back to School! Store

1,000 copies of Cynthia Kagan Frohlichstein’s “The Perils of the Peanut Butter Kid” donated to annual Back to School! Store

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 24, 2024
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 Poremba's '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 Kohn's 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
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
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
Kohn's 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
JFed's '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
Load More Stories