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
All content by By Bill Motchan
Stones are laid at the monument for Walter and Else Berger.

Two generations later, Holocaust survivor’s gravestone is made right

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 9, 2025
'Wandering Twos' roll into St. Louis for Holocaust victim's mission

‘Wandering Twos’ roll into St. Louis for Holocaust victim’s mission

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 9, 2025
Fighting antisemitism starts at home, St. Louis leaders say

Fighting antisemitism starts at home, St. Louis leaders say

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 8, 2025
Burton Wice and Rona

Jewish St. Louisan’s bird dog is a national field champ

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 30, 2025
Jordan Palmer and Jewish Light Editor-in-Chief Ellen Futterman

Jewish Light wins five Rockower Awards for excellence in Jewish journalism

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 24, 2025
Shel Chesky and his daughter Lindsey Hermes

From St. Louis with soy: Jewish family mixes faith and science to fix our roads

BY BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published June 4, 2025
How a rabbi and a bishop built a lasting St. Louis interfaith legacy

How a rabbi and a bishop built a lasting St. Louis interfaith legacy

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 20, 2025
Andy Katzman spent decades coaching baseball — now his name is on the field

Andy Katzman spent decades coaching baseball — now his name is on the field

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 20, 2025
The outside of Florentin on Delmar.

St. Louis chef Ben Poremba’s restaurants hit by tornado — here’s how you can help

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 18, 2025
Lifestyle choices can help keep memory exercised, functioning

Lifestyle choices can help keep memory exercised, functioning

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 7, 2025
Tab Cohen and his Pontiac

Hot rods and heart: Jewish car lovers rev up memories and medals in Chesterfield

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 6, 2025
David Cohen

New JCRC leader addresses antisemitism in Affton and outlines bold vision for community ties

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 4, 2025
Yael Sabin

Ladue lacrosse standout Yael Sabin to join Team Israel after record-breaking high school career

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 4, 2025
Rallies and social posts are great, but here’s how you can really stand with Israel right now

Rallies and social posts are great, but here’s how you can really stand with Israel right now

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 28, 2025
Erika Schwartz

Born in a ghetto, one day before it was sealed: Her story moved St. Louis to tears

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 27, 2025
From silence to singing: How St. Louis honors Israel’s most powerful week

From silence to singing: How St. Louis honors Israel’s most powerful week

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 21, 2025
The Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Can you fight antisemitism without silencing speech? Missouri bill puts that to the test

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 10, 2025
Crown Center Russian Seder

From the Soviet Union to St. Louis: Russian Jews celebrate Passover in freedom

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 7, 2025
Covenant Place III Ribbon Cutting with Harvey and Wilma Gerstein.

Gerstein legacy lives on: Covenant Place celebrates milestone and dedicates social hall

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 2, 2025
Outside Affton High School.

Graffiti of hate, response of hope: Affton families gather to combat antisemitism

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 1, 2025
Missouri’s big stand for Israel

Missouri’s big stand for Israel

By Bill Motchan, Spe
Published March 28, 2025
The Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Antisemitism bill clears key hurdle in Jefferson City

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 16, 2025
The Avrutsky family (parents Raya and Harel, son Beeri and daughter Carmi) from Israel stayed at the Ohel Rina and Michael Bikur Cholim House in University City (above) while Beeri was undergoing surgery and months of rehabilitation.

St. Louis Jewish community supports Israeli family during medical journey

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 18, 2025
Darren Grodsky and Danny Jacobs

Hollywood duo brings hit podcast home—and fans can’t get enough!

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 14, 2025
Owen Daniels (10 years old), Liam Daniels (8 years old) and Nate Daniels (12 years old).

Inside the Daniels brothers’ journey to mastering Jewish traditions and stacking up service honors!

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 10, 2025
Madam Owlberta Wobblewings

Owlberta Wobblewings is back—and she might be bringing babies!”

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 18, 2024
Photos: Home Depot Hanukkah Experience

Photos: Home Depot Hanukkah Experience

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 15, 2024
LEKET ISRAEL volunteers pick produce for the needy. (photo credit: COURTESY LEKET ISRAEL)

A food insecurity crisis is deepening in Israel: How a St. Louis connection is making a difference

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 1, 2024
Danny Jacobs' St. Louis based podcast 'How To Destroy Everything' is back with new episodes

Danny Jacobs’ St. Louis based podcast ‘How To Destroy Everything’ is back with new episodes

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 29, 2024
Carol Loeb (right) with St. Louis Science Center CEO Todd Bastean and Elisabeth Greenwood, the recipient of the Loeb Prize for excellence in teaching science and mathematics.

How the legacy of Jerome and Carol Loeb is still transforming education

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 8, 2024
Schnucks adds more kosher options at Ladue Crossing store

Schnucks adds more kosher options at Ladue Crossing store

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 28, 2024
Les Nackman (center) is flanked by his daughter, Linda Horwitz, and son-in-law Phil Horwitz. Nackman is a longtime supporter of and fundraiser for the Israel Tennis & Education Center.

Meet the St. Louisan who has helped grow Israeli tennis program for all children

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 24, 2024
Brothers Lazaroff and a host of musicians will perform at “The Passover Project: A Musical Seder,” at City Winery on Thursday, April 18.

Jewish rockers bringing the sounds of New Orleans to St. Louis this weekend

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 26, 2024
Dr. Yaffa Ashur

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
Free Spirit Experience

From horror to hope: St. Louis funds vital trauma aid for Israeli festival survivors

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 28, 2024
From left: Noah Wolk, Erik Marx and Ari Willick

Meet three St. Louis Jewish teens making a difference

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 28, 2024
The Torah Prep robotics team

St. Louis girls’ robotics team reaches world finals

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 19, 2024
U.S. Civil War Union officers in tent (1862). Photo courtesy of Penn State Special Collections via Flickr

How St. Louis Jewish war veterans of the Civil War fought back against antisemitism

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 19, 2024
Missouri lawmakers move forward with measures expressing solidarity with Israel

Missouri lawmakers move forward with measures expressing solidarity with Israel

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 8, 2024
Double Celebration! How St. Louis is honoring Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut

Double Celebration! How St. Louis is honoring Yom Hazikaron, Yom Haatzmaut

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 7, 2024
Dee Dee Simon and Governor Mike Parson

Missouri Governor honors Holocaust survivors, educators

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 7, 2024
Rabbi Rovinsky holds two Rabbinic ordinations, a Bachelor’s and Masters degree in Talmudic Law from Ner Israel, a Master’s in Administrative Sciences from Johns Hopkins University, and a Masters in Education from UMSL and is a licensed clinical therapist.

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

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 24, 2024
Peter Martin.

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
Rick Stack

St. Louis author shares how he found comfort within his grief after his mother passed

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 27, 2024
The J announces $13M renovation of Marilyn Fox Building in Chesterfield

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

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 17, 2024
Abbie Strauss

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
The ribbon has the faces of the 240 hostages which can be seen from both sides. Cleveland Jewish News Photo / Alex Golden

Where you can see the new ‘Ribbon of Hope’ stand tall in St. Louis for all Israeli hostages

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 27, 2024
Mark Wilf and Gov. Mike Parson.

Gov. Parson, Jewish NFL owner discuss survival of Israel in St. Louis

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 7, 2024
Chris Froome. Participants are asked to ride with a yellow ribbon on their bikes to show their solidarity

St. Louis bicyclists invited to join global ride supporting hostages

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published January 7, 2024
Harold Sanger shows the gifts accumulated during the year that ‘Hanukkah Joe’ will present him during the holiday.

Hard-working ‘Hanukkah Joe’ carries on one family’s longtime holiday tradition

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 6, 2023
Brian’s mother is Eric's first cousin. He is from Kansas City. His mother and her family all grew up in St. Louis. Brian was a lone soldier serving in Nachal. This photo was taken in 2011 at his “Kova” ceremony after he endured a 48 hour non stop grueling hike as part of his training.

Why former St. Louisan Eric Sirkin is a life long supporter of Israel’s Lone Solider Center

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 16, 2023
Photos: Local protesters want American Red Cross care for Israeli hostages

Photos: Local protesters want American Red Cross care for Israeli hostages

BY BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published November 9, 2023
Jack Lite.

For decades, this Jewish War Veterans’ veteran keeps St. Louis post ‘going in a straight line’

BY BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published November 8, 2023
Novellus is an American restaurant on Historic Main Street in St Charles.

St. Charles restaurant’s ‘kosher night’ raises thousands for Israel

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 6, 2023
Local middle schoolers unite to become future leaders with Jewish values

Local middle schoolers unite to become future leaders with Jewish values

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 30, 2023
Novellus is an American restaurant on Historic Main Street in St Charles.

St. Charles restaurant going all kosher for one day to support Israel

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 16, 2023
Bob Gale.

Five questions with the Jewish UCity native and writer of ‘Back To The Future’

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 6, 2023
Jewish St. Louis teen softball team reunites after 60 years

Jewish St. Louis teen softball team reunites after 60 years

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 30, 2023
Art Silverblatt

Art Silverblatt explains the keys to understanding media messages

BY BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published July 4, 2023
St. Louis synagogue's new 'Banned Book Club' is open to all

St. Louis synagogue’s new ‘Banned Book Club’ is open to all

By Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published June 14, 2023
From left: Jen Weinman & Winston, Ed Reggi, Peter Barg and Julie Bieniek Brown.

For these comic actors, ‘improv’ also means ‘improvement’

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 7, 2023
Sarah Sentell and Vietnam Veteran Joe Bonfilio

Esther Miller Bais Yaakov students learn history of Vietnam War firsthand from those who served

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 23, 2023
Drug interactions are a growing threat to older adults

Drug interactions are a growing threat to older adults

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 20, 2023
Jewish Hospital, October 5, 1968. Credit Harold Ferman Photographers.

The legacy Jewish Hospital continuing in big ways

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 20, 2023
First Look: New labyrinth at the J will mark Israel's 75th anniversary

First Look: New labyrinth at the J will mark Israel’s 75th anniversary

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 19, 2023
A collage of photos provided by the Wool family. Center shows Harlene (L) and Marvin (R). Bottom right shows the Wool siblings.

The Story Behind The Name: The Wool family’s philanthropy

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 11, 2023
5 questions with St. Louis Sports Commission's Marc Schreiber

5 questions with St. Louis Sports Commission’s Marc Schreiber

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 19, 2023
End of an era: The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closes

End of an era: The Bagel Factory in Creve Coeur closes

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 28, 2022
St. Louisans' strategies for the maximum Christmas Chinese food experience

St. Louisans’ strategies for the maximum Christmas Chinese food experience

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 22, 2022
Lisa and Greta Rosenstock

Meet the Rosenstocks – a mom and daughter performing together in NJT’s ‘Jerry’s Girls’

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published December 4, 2022
In a January 2009 file photo, Rabbi Jim Goodman (right) and Keith Rashke take part in a prayer vigil at Congregation Neve Shalom during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

St. Louis congregation Neve Shalom quietly closes after 33 years

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 16, 2022
Photo by Bill Motchan

80,000 viewed German photographer’s Holocaust exhibit on WashU campus

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 15, 2022

“Reproductive rights are a Conservative Jewish value” so say 100 rabbis meeting in St. Louis

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 9, 2022
Photo courtesy of the Rabbinical Assembly

Conservative rabbis from around the world gather in St. Louis for first in-person conference in three years

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 8, 2022
Janet Gillow

Lost memoir of St. Louis woman’s escape from Nazis found in storage container

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published November 1, 2022
New museum provides tools, space to preserve Holocaust artifacts

New museum provides tools, space to preserve Holocaust artifacts

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 31, 2022
U. City Hall of Famer Rick Stack to screen his social justice documentary Oct. 19

U. City Hall of Famer Rick Stack to screen his social justice documentary Oct. 19

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 19, 2022
Leon Bronstein. Photo by Bill Motchan

Renowned Israeli sculptor Leon Bronstein debuts new show in Grand Center

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 7, 2022
Chewy and sweet, the bialy comes to St. Louis

Chewy and sweet, the bialy comes to St. Louis

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 6, 2022
Time challenged? Picky kids? St. Louisan offers food prep tips from new cookbook

Time challenged? Picky kids? St. Louisan offers food prep tips from new cookbook

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 6, 2022
Photo by Bill Motchan

Retiring cemetery director looks back on career helping people in mourning

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published October 6, 2022
New program matches young adults with low-cost mental health therapy

New program matches young adults with low-cost mental health therapy

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published September 12, 2022
Susan Glassman Photo by Bill Motchan

Gun safety, criminal justice reform among this activist’s initiatives

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published August 9, 2022
Meet Harlan Nissenbaum, "The Sweetie Pie Concierge"

Meet Harlan Nissenbaum, “The Sweetie Pie Concierge”

BY BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published July 14, 2022
Exclusive interview with Jason Kander before his sold-out event at the J

Exclusive interview with Jason Kander before his sold-out event at the J

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 10, 2022
Rabbi Janine C. Schloss, Rabbi Educator at Temple Emanuel.

Rabbi Janine Schloss moves on to education role at Temple Emanuel

BY BILL MOTCHAN, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 22, 2022
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