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
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
"It's in the sizzle" | The burger that's 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
We're 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
How St. Louisan Edward Tsimerman got his friends out of Russia

How St. Louisan Edward Tsimerman got his friends out of Russia

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 27, 2022
Former St. Louisan Dean Schramm’s new film playing this week at Frontenac Cinema

Former St. Louisan Dean Schramm’s new film playing this week at Frontenac Cinema

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 24, 2022
Director Ted Braun and Dean Schramm

Former St. Louisan Dean Schramm’s new film opens at Frontenac Cinema tonight

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 22, 2022
Today is Earth Day: Here’s what its local Jewish stewards have to say

Today is Earth Day: Here’s what its local Jewish stewards have to say

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 22, 2022
An image from Yokneam.

St. Louis, Atlanta raise a virtual toast of partnership with sister city in Israel

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 21, 2022
Former Soviet Union natives celebrate Passover with a special seder at Crown Center

Former Soviet Union natives celebrate Passover with a special seder at Crown Center

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 21, 2022
Angela McManis is community services director at Jewish Family Services. Photo: Bill Motchan

Abuse prevention effort adapts over 30 years to keep kids safe

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 20, 2022
Jewish singer Micaela Diamond featured in Broadway's ‘The Cher Show’ bringing her cabaret act home

Jewish singer Micaela Diamond featured in Broadway’s ‘The Cher Show’ bringing her cabaret act home

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 20, 2022
What's so Jewish about Pickleball?

What’s so Jewish about Pickleball?

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 16, 2022
U City "matzah maven" takes his skills to Persian Gulf Jews

U City “matzah maven” takes his skills to Persian Gulf Jews

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 14, 2022
Karen Sher, Patty Bloom, Patricia F. Croughan

Sher, Bloom among award winners as Jewish Federation celebrates 120 years

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 11, 2022
Who knew? 6,000+ Jews call St. Charles County home

Who knew? 6,000+ Jews call St. Charles County home

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 10, 2022
St. Louis native Ben Solomon reporting now from the war zone in Ukraine

St. Louis native Ben Solomon reporting now from the war zone in Ukraine

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 8, 2022
New exhibit pays tribute to 120 years of St. Louis’ Jewish Federation

New exhibit pays tribute to 120 years of St. Louis’ Jewish Federation

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 6, 2022
UCity artist licenses viral video tune to major music group

UCity artist licenses viral video tune to major music group

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 4, 2022
Jeremy Growe's Final Four predictions

Jeremy Growe’s Final Four predictions

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published April 4, 2022
St. Louisan Gene Litvin mounts relief effort for his native Ukrainian brothers and sisters

St. Louisan Gene Litvin mounts relief effort for his native Ukrainian brothers and sisters

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 31, 2022
A rendering of a proposed Chabad Jewish Community Center-St. Charles County. Image courtesy Baalman Architects

Westward expansion: Chabad receives donation of 9.6 acres in O’Fallon, Mo.

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light 
Published March 31, 2022
Joel Schwartz

St. Louis attorney Joel Schwartz on his new book and actor playing him in “The Thing About Pam”

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 22, 2022
From left: Charli, Jenna, Mike, Diane, Tim and Sophia O’Shea.

How St. Louis Irish Jewish families celebrate ‘The ‘Double P’: Purim and St. Patrick’s Day

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 16, 2022
David Hermelin is shown with the barrels used to age Hermelin's Righteous Seven Barrel Reserve liqueur. Photo: Bill Motchan

Jewish St. Louis distiller of “Righteous Road” has perfect spirit for Purim

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 14, 2022
Image from https://jfedstl.org

Jewish Federation raises more than $525,000 for Ukraine relief

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 14, 2022
Celebrate 314 Day with eight fun facts that link it to Judaism

Celebrate 314 Day with eight fun facts that link it to Judaism

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 13, 2022
Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House

The story behind the Sachs family’s contributions to the Missouri Botanical Garden

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 7, 2022
Valentina is safe! Mother of Chesterfield woman escapes Ukraine, now in Serbia

Valentina is safe! Mother of Chesterfield woman escapes Ukraine, now in Serbia

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 7, 2022
St. Louisans book Kyiv Airbnbs as way to support Ukrainians

St. Louisans book Kyiv Airbnbs as way to support Ukrainians

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 6, 2022
Chesterfield to Ukraine: Family separated by distance, united by love

Chesterfield to Ukraine: Family separated by distance, united by love

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published March 2, 2022
Joan Berkman. Photo courtesy Strauss Peyton Photography

The Lighter Side: Q&A with St. Louis Press Club President Joan Berkman

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 27, 2022
Photo of author Dean Robbins with book cover image

St. Louis native returns for the J’s Children’s Mitzvah Program

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 20, 2022
Members of the mishpacha group celebrate Hanukkah in 2015.

St. Louis ‘mishpacha’ group has been connecting participants for 40 years

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 20, 2022
Screen capture from the Clean Speech St. Louis website, clean speech.com/stl

Clean Speech St. Louis targets power of hurtful words

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 17, 2022
Cantor Ronald Eichaker, Rabbi Brigitte Rosenberg and Alden Solovy at United Hebrew Congregation. Solovy will once again serve as liturgist-in-residence at UH.

What is a liturgist-in-residence? Alden Solovy sheds light before UH visit

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 11, 2022
The ship Eliyahu Golomb in 1946. Photo: Yad Vashem

Founding member of Zionist Haganah fighters had St. Louis ties

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 11, 2022
Meet Michael Perelman, the "numbers guy" for the St. Louis Blues

Meet Michael Perelman, the “numbers guy” for the St. Louis Blues

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published January 30, 2022
Among the children in this Camp Ramot Amoona photo are two future rabbis serving the St. Louis area: Rabbi Daniel Bogard and Rabbi Jordan Gerson.

Many rabbis were launched toward clergy at Jewish summer camp

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT 
Published January 23, 2022
Vote buttons stack with red and blue colors (Adobe Stock)

Why Missouri is a bellwether state for voter protection

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published January 17, 2022
10 fun facts about Tu B’Shevat

10 fun facts about Tu B’Shevat

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 12, 2022
Vicki Lander is the owner of Flower Hill Farm. File photo: Bill Motchan

Tu B’Shevat is the right time to begin growing seder ingredients

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published January 12, 2022
The Lighter Side with violinist and CRC member Hava Polinsky

The Lighter Side with violinist and CRC member Hava Polinsky

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 10, 2022
Lydia Motchan (left), who is 100 years old, and Jennifer Wientge, Heartland Hospice spiritual adviser. Writer and photographer Bill Motchan chronicles his journey becoming a family caregiver for Lydia, his mother. Photo: Bill Motchan

Family Caregiving 101: What it really means

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 9, 2022
Indulge in family friendly, outdoor activities during this unseasonably warm Christmas weekend

Indulge in family friendly, outdoor activities during this unseasonably warm Christmas weekend

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 23, 2021
Sean Jameson

The Lighter Side featuring Sean Jameson, of the Delmar Gardens West activities team

BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published December 21, 2021
Rabbi Yonason Goldson partnered with psychologist Margarita Gurri (right)on a podcast, “The Rabbi & the Shrink.” (Goldson photo: Bill Motchan)

A rabbi and a shrink walk into a podcast…

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 16, 2021
Harvey Kornblum with daughter Kathy Kornblum. (Kathy Kornblum)

Who was Harvey Kornblum?

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 16, 2021
JFS celebrating 150 years of helping St. Louisans

JFS celebrating 150 years of helping St. Louisans

Bill Motchan, Special For the Jewish Light
Published December 12, 2021
Photos: Hanukkah Hullabaloo delivers once again

Photos: Hanukkah Hullabaloo delivers once again

Bill Motchan, Special For The Jewish Light
Published December 6, 2021
How St. Louisans are speaking out against hate

How St. Louisans are speaking out against hate

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 2, 2021
At 87, Lenore Pepper's 2nd act as an artist

At 87, Lenore Pepper’s 2nd act as an artist

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 22, 2021
From left, Dr. Bryan Sharp, Irl Solomon, Captain Dani Gohar, Rabbi Ze’ev Smason, Lieutenant Colonel Keith Isaacson, Caleb Edwards

Jewish and Christian supporters of Israel come together to hear from Israeli soldiers

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 17, 2021
Longtime ‘Light’ board member brings rocket scientist skills to the table

Longtime ‘Light’ board member brings rocket scientist skills to the table

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 9, 2021
Larry Edison (left) helps teach a student during a recent Tech Tutor program at the Mirowitz Center.

Volunteer tech programs bridge ‘digital divide,’ one senior at a time

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 8, 2021
From doctor to volunteer, helping people is Dr. Laura Goldmeier’s true calling

From doctor to volunteer, helping people is Dr. Laura Goldmeier’s true calling

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 5, 2021
‘She’s just magical’: Veteran puppeteer Ginny Weiss uses her talents to give back

‘She’s just magical’: Veteran puppeteer Ginny Weiss uses her talents to give back

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 5, 2021
In visit to STL, Jewish congressman addresses QAnon, Jan. 6 and future of democracy

In visit to STL, Jewish congressman addresses QAnon, Jan. 6 and future of democracy

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 30, 2021
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff, D- Calif., will speak Oct. 29 at the St. Louis County Library headquarters.

Rep. Adam Schiff talks politics, tikkun olam and his Cardinals grudge

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 19, 2021
Bob Denlow. Photo: Stewart Halperin

Retired lawyer got the bug to push a shutter in his second act

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 19, 2021
Rob Loewenstein has a custom license plate with the name of the short blast of the shofar during Rosh Hashanah services.

Rob Loewenstein “literally” has a Missouri license to shofar

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 8, 2021
Judge Renee Hardin-Tammons, Judge Arthur Litz and Rob Litz at the portrait unveiling. Photo Bill Motchan

County courthouse unveils portrait of beloved judge Arthur Litz

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 27, 2021
Central Reform Congregation. Photo: Bill Motchan

St. Louis synagogues have embraced the outdoors during pandemic

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 4, 2021
A view of ‘Martin’s Marina’ — the pool and patio of Hiram and Cheryl Martin.

St. Louisans transform their yards into amazing landscapes, outdoor living areas

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 1, 2021
Jewish Federation of St. Louis held its 2021 Campaign Kickoff June 30 at Centene Music Park in Maryland Heights. Guests enjoyed a performance by Jewish musical artist Chava Mirel and a chance to meet the community’s new Shinshinim.

[Photo] Photo gallery: Jewish Federation Campaign Kickoff

Published July 7, 2021
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