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
Meet the St. Louis Shinshinim: Inbar Bachar

Meet the St. Louis Shinshinim: Inbar Bachar

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 28, 2023
Rabbi Naamah Kelman

First woman ever ordained a rabbi in Israel, coming to St. Louis for three appearances

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 26, 2023
Anton, Yana, Lynn Wittels and Nikita

Ukrainian child receives important surgery in St. Louis thanks to act of kindness

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 25, 2023
Helping older adults avoid scams and stay safe

Helping older adults avoid scams and stay safe

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 20, 2023
Photos: Voice of Resistance heard loud and clear at Sundays Yom HaShoah ceremony

Photos: ‘Voice of Resistance’ heard loud and clear at Sunday’s Yom HaShoah ceremony

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 17, 2023
Five questions for science comedian Ben Miller coming to Helium comedy club

Five questions for science comedian Ben Miller coming to Helium comedy club

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published April 6, 2023
Lindy Drew is the cofounder of Humans of St. Louis, a nonprofit group that shares photos and stories of people and places through its website, social media, and, as of December, a book. The book quickly sold out, but a reprinting is planned for this spring, with preorders available. Photos: humansofstl.org

Humans of St. Louis turns a page

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 3, 2023
Orly David Peters. Photo By Bill Motchan.

Expat bringing Israeli food to St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 30, 2023
St. Louis circus director pens chapter in Jewish big top history

St. Louis circus director pens chapter in Jewish big top history

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 30, 2023
Photo by Bill Motchan

After 28 years St. Louis is still the capital of chametz

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 29, 2023
The Wise-Shuchart family’s Passover seders have included non-Jewish guests for three decades. Photo courtesy of Andy Wise

Families expand seder traditions with non-Jewish guests invited to Passover

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published March 27, 2023
St. Louisan Marc Lapp (below) collects vintage Judaica. His collection includes carved wooden lion (from the mid-1900s) and the silver Torah finials

St. Louis collector of Judaica immerses in Jewish history, one antique at a time

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 24, 2023
The Wise-Shuchart family’s Passover seders have included non-Jewish guests for three decades. Photo courtesy of Andy Wise

It’s best to prep non-Jewish seder guests, rabbis say

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 23, 2023
Story behind the name – Irv Zeid Park

Story behind the name – Irv Zeid Park

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 20, 2023
More of your memories from Camp White Cloud

More of your memories from Camp White Cloud

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 15, 2023
Memories of Camp White Cloud

Memories of Camp White Cloud

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 13, 2023

Video and photos of 2023 University City Purim Parade

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 7, 2023
Image courtesy of Bill Motchan.

PHOTOS: Purim Palooza at B’nai Amoona

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 7, 2023
Docent Vera Emmons leads Ladue Middle School students on a tour of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum earlier this month. Photo: Bill Motchan

Visiting the Holocaust Museum from a student’s perspective

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 23, 2023
From ultra-Orthodox rabbi to openly transgender: Abby Stein tells her story in St. Louis

From ultra-Orthodox rabbi to openly transgender: Abby Stein tells her story in St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 23, 2023
PHOTOS: Jewish leaders converge for ‘bootcamp’ at the J

PHOTOS: Jewish leaders converge for ‘bootcamp’ at the J

Bill Motchan
Published February 21, 2023
Neil Davis leading a discussion at the Mirowitz Center. Image by Bill Motchan

Talking Beatles at the Mirowitz Center

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published February 10, 2023
Rick Recht, Executive Director of Judaism Alive. Photo: Bill Motchan

Music seen as key to attracting young people to Jewish clergy

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published February 7, 2023
Participants in the 2019 Songleader Bootcamp join together in song during a session at the Jewish Community Center. File photo: Bill Motchan

Jewish leaders converge for upcoming ‘bootcamp’ at the J

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published February 7, 2023
Longtime Central Hardware President Jim Cohen, great-grandson of the company’s founder, Morris Cohen, shows off memorabilia from his collection. Photo: Bill Motchan

Remember Central Hardware? How the Jewish family behind the empire left their mark on St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 7, 2023
5 questions with retirement center director Max Oppenheimer

5 questions with retirement center director Max Oppenheimer

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 1, 2023
Rabbi Mike Rovinsky

Axe throwing with a mohel

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published January 27, 2023
Photo Courtesy of the Creve Coeur Police Department.

Graffiti removed from Temple Israel monument sign

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 25, 2023
Make your own NY style bagels at home. Photos by Bill Motchan

How to make New York style bagels in your St. Louis kitchen

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 18, 2023
Larry Chervitz, quartermaster of Jewish War Veterans Post 644, Monroe Ginsburg, chaplain of Jewish War Veterans Post 644, Brian Sher, Andrea Goldenberg, Debbie Sher, Rachael Pevnick, Larry Pevnick, Ellis Frohman, commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 644, Robin Pevnick, Stan Goldenberg and Les Birenbaum, junior vice commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 644

Rachael Pevnick scrubbed her Caribbean vacation to honor husband, Jewish War Veterans

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 18, 2023
Gerald Axelbaum, 69, a member of Congregation B’nai Amoona.

Meet Gerald Axelbaum, the Jewish “Burn Boss” of Olivette

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 16, 2023
Rick Stack co-produced the documentary “In the Executioner’s Shadow.

St. Louis native co-produces documentary looking at death penalty ‘In the Executioner’s Shadow’

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 15, 2023
Thriving yeshiva in Chesterfield is just what this doctor ordered

Thriving yeshiva in Chesterfield is just what this doctor ordered

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 11, 2023
A gathering at MaTovu during Sukkot. PHOTO: BILL MOTCHAN

How MaTovu founders brought vision of Jewish gathering space to life

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 9, 2023
Olivia Adams.Photo by Bill Motchan.

Olivia Adams shines a light for women in dark times

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 8, 2023
Spreading cheer to hospitalized kids is Tamar Adler’s bag

Spreading cheer to hospitalized kids is Tamar Adler’s bag

Bill Motchan, Special to The Jewish Light
Published January 4, 2023
Ethan Leinwand

Local Jewish pianist reviving series of ragtime concerts

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 22, 2022
Irwin Loiterstein Profile St. Louis Jewish Light by Bill Motchan

Meet the Jewish St. Louisan who’s the “king of Christmas trees”

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published December 20, 2022
Avital Kadosh, the J’s director of Jewish experience and innovation

Meet Avital Kadosh, the J’s new innovation chief

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 19, 2022
Photos: Hundreds of kids building menorahs, noshing latkes at Home Depot

Photos: Hundreds of kids building menorahs, noshing latkes at Home Depot

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 18, 2022
Photos: Hanukkah storytelling returns to Schnucks Ladue Crossing

Photos: Hanukkah storytelling returns to Schnucks Ladue Crossing

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 15, 2022
Photos: In case you missed Hanukkah Hullaballoo this year

Photos: In case you missed Hanukkah Hullaballoo this year

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 13, 2022
Local families give Hanukkah their own spin

Local families give Hanukkah their own spin

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published December 6, 2022
Photos: The amazing purse collection of Abbie White

Photos: The amazing purse collection of Abbie White

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 30, 2022
Anastasia and Grace before Fox Theatre Show--photo courtesy Grace Cohen

Ukrainian woman fleeing war finds new home with Jewish St. Louis family

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published November 28, 2022
Understanding The Stolpersteine Project and its amazing effect on 3 St. Louis families

Understanding “The Stolpersteine Project” and its amazing effect on 3 St. Louis families

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published November 22, 2022
How heirloom recipes connect generations in the sweetest way

How heirloom recipes connect generations in the sweetest way

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published November 17, 2022
Photos: Hazzan Sharon Nathansons Sweet 16+

Photos: Hazzan Sharon Nathanson’s ‘Sweet 16+’

Jordan Palmer and Bill Motchan
Published November 14, 2022
Photo taken by Bill Motchan.

New, expanded Holocaust museum renews mission of ‘breaking the cycle of hate’

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 30, 2022
From left: Friends Lester Goldman, Beverly Chervitz and Rabbi Neal Rose recently celebrated their second b’nai mitzvah at B’nai Amoona. all photos: Bill Motchan

Trio of friends fulfill pact to have second B’nai Mitzvah

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 26, 2022
Great-nephew Randy Green holds a photograph of Henry and Gladys Crown. Photo: Bill Motchan

Who were Henry & Gladys Crown?

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 25, 2022
A file photo from the opening of OASIS. Marylen Mann is second from the right.

Oasis celebrates fourth decade of working with older Americans

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 25, 2022
Photo by Bill Motchan

Sculptures find new home at Chabad Center in UCity

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 25, 2022
Dave Blum. Photo by Bill Motchan

Jewish farmer helped transform decrepit church into skatepark, arts studio in north St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 25, 2022
Photo by Bill Motchan

12 St. Louis Holocaust survivors among 90 photographed for new Wash U exhibit

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 20, 2022
Expect a wide variety of kosher items at new U. City Costco

Expect a wide variety of kosher items at new U. City Costco

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 17, 2022
Photos: Mirowitz tashlich teaches kids environmental teshuvah

Photos: Mirowitz ‘tashlich’ teaches kids environmental ‘teshuvah’

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 14, 2022
Diane Von Furstenberg. Photo by Bill Motchan

Photos: Fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg wows St. Louis audience

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 13, 2022
Bnai Amoona Sukkahs, by Bill Motchan

Photos: “Sukkah City” at B’nai Amoona

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 10, 2022
A community Kabbalat Shabbat and tashlich ceremony was held on the banks of Creve Coeur Lake on Fri., Sept. 30. The event was hosted by the St. Louis chapter of the Israeli American Council, Shevet Keshet (Israeli Scouts), JCC and PJ Library. The event included a potluck dinner, preceded by the tashlich, where dozens of people cast their sins, symbolized by casting bird seed into the water. The ceremony was led Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham from Congregation B’nai Amoona. Photos: Bill Motchan

Photos: Community tashlich at Creve Coeur Park

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published October 7, 2022
Documentia by CRC’s Benjamin Kaplan takes an artistic look at dementia, celebrating the memories

Documentia by CRC’s Benjamin Kaplan takes an artistic look at dementia, celebrating the memories

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 30, 2022
Marc Hochberg will perform with Klezundheit! a klezmer big band in St. Louis, at the Sababa Jewish Arts and Culture Festival on Sept. 18. File photo: Bill Motchan

Missouri’s only klezmer big band will play ‘happy music’ at Sababa

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 15, 2022
Johnny Itzkowitz (L) and Jerry Ehrlich. Photo by Bill Motchan

The coach and the kid reunite after 30 years to help others at Paraquad

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published September 14, 2022
New sights and sounds studio at the J helping people with sensory disorders

New sights and sounds studio at the J helping people with sensory disorders

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 24, 2022
Michael Schmitz (front row, second from right) is shown with Polish volunteers.

Michael Schmitz volunteering in Poland to aid in Ukraine relief effort

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 24, 2022
Andrew Gieselman in his U. City High School Yearbook photo. Mark Goldstein (center). Roseann Weiss (at right)

What’s in a Jewish-sounding name? Sometimes less than expected

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 23, 2022
Photos: 2,000 smiles counted during Sundays St. Charles Jewish Festival

Photos: 2,000 smiles counted during Sunday’s St. Charles Jewish Festival

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 15, 2022
Ellie Balk

Jewish St. Louis artists turning public spaces into beautiful giant works of art 

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 12, 2022
Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham. Photo by Bill Motchan

St. Louis rabbi closes in on goal of visiting all major league ballparks

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 11, 2022
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Silverberg

7 questions with award winning food photographer Jennifer Silverberg

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 3, 2022

Photos and video: NCJW St. Louis helps 2,000 children with Back to School! Store

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 3, 2022
Meet Ivy, who was just too nice to be a service dog

Meet Ivy, who was just too nice to be a service dog

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 1, 2022
Photo by Bill Motchan

From turtles to green spaces, the Glassbergs and Greensfelders left their love around St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published August 1, 2022
Katie Harris and Moxie. Photo courtesy Katie Harris

This wheelchair-bound athlete is glad she has her “Moxie”

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 27, 2022
Photo by Bill Motchan

How touch therapy dogs dispense love and care in the St. Louis Jewish community

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published July 27, 2022
Abby Decklue, director of clinical services, Parc Provence, Drew Newman (son of Stacey and Burt), Stacey Newman, Burt Newman, Ian Mackey (D-St. Louis County) Missouri House of Representatives, and Adam Schwadron (R-St. Charles) Missouri House of Representatives

Burt Newman honored by Missouri House for lifetime of achievements

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published July 25, 2022
Major donations help fuel Crown Center construction

Major donations help fuel Crown Center construction

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published July 13, 2022
An Evening with Jason Kander moves to larger venue, more tickets now available

“An Evening with Jason Kander’ moves to larger venue, more tickets now available

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published July 12, 2022
From left: Stacey Newman, Kendall Martinez-Wright, Tyler McClay (Missouri Catholic Conference), Jessica Piper, Rabbi Chaim Landa, Noah Kleinlehrer, Rep. Adam Schwadron, Helen Turner (St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum), Allysa Banford (JCRC), Amy Lutz (Holocaust Museum), Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh (Temple Emanuel) and Robert Kleinlehrer.

Holocaust education bill now law in Missouri

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published July 5, 2022
Photos: St. Louis Jews turnout big for Grand Pride Parade

Photos: St. Louis Jews turnout big for Grand Pride Parade

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 27, 2022
St. Louis Holocaust Museum announces reopening date

St. Louis Holocaust Museum announces reopening date

Ellen Futterman and Bill Motchan
Published June 20, 2022
Its in the sizzle | The burger thats been a smash in St. Louis since 1934

“It’s in the sizzle” | The burger that’s been a “smash” in St. Louis since 1934

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 15, 2022
Cantor Seth Warner - Photo By Bill Motchan

Cantor Seth Warner to helm national cantorial association

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 14, 2022
Sarah Levinson, Brian Byers and Bethany Goff - Photo by Bill Motchan

Jewish Family Services connects older adults with social support services

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 9, 2022
How a Muslim Zionist became an IDF officer and a voice of peace

How a “Muslim Zionist” became an IDF officer and a voice of peace

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 7, 2022
2019 file photo of David and Jeff Lazaroff.

Shine on: Brothers Lazaroff record ‘quarantine songs’ at Sun Studios in Memphis

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 1, 2022
St. Louis Jewish patrons bid goodbye to beloved Bob’s Seafood

St. Louis Jewish patrons bid goodbye to beloved Bob’s Seafood

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 31, 2022
Cathy “Fitz” Castner and Mary Jo Else

Castner, Eise continue family tradition at Senior Olympics

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published May 31, 2022
Sido beats them all, wins Gold by shooting -40 his age, a 61 at 101 in first day of Senior Olympics

Sido beats them all, wins Gold by shooting -40 his age, a 61 at 101 in first day of Senior Olympics

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 27, 2022
Photos | 42nd St. Louis Senior Olympics underway

Photos | 42nd St. Louis Senior Olympics underway

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published May 26, 2022
St. Louis Israeli Folk Dance (IFD) group though the years.

Folk dance group connects St. Louisans with Israel

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published May 24, 2022
Senior Olympics kickoff this week at Jewish Community Center

Senior Olympics kickoff this week at Jewish Community Center

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published May 23, 2022
Lag b’Omer can be as fun and yummy as a hole in the ground

Lag b’Omer can be as fun and yummy as a hole in the ground

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 18, 2022
Were honoring Jewish American Heritage Month with our list of 10 from St. Louis

We’re honoring Jewish American Heritage Month with our list of 10 from St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 13, 2022
Noted photographer captures images of 12 St. Louis Holocaust survivors

Noted photographer captures images of 12 St. Louis Holocaust survivors

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published May 11, 2022
 Betsy Enger leads a cooking demonstration during a Jewish Senior Connection program in April.  Photo: Bill Motchan

Jewish Senior Connection adds in-person schmoozing during its second year

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 9, 2022
Cantor Ronald Eichaker leading Israeli scouts singing “Hatikvah”

Photos: Yom Hazikaron at the JCC remembers Israel’s fallen soldiers

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published May 4, 2022
Cindy Levin. Photo: Bill Motchan

Advocacy leader’s work inspires others to become activists

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 4, 2022
50th reunion for U City’s Class of ’70 finally happens two years after the fact

50th reunion for U City’s Class of ’70 finally happens two years after the fact

Bill Motchan
Published May 3, 2022
Love, set, match! Checking in with longtime Jewish tennis coach Mark Platt

Love, set, match! Checking in with longtime Jewish tennis coach Mark Platt

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 29, 2022
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