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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

Phyllis Siegel leads newbies learning mahjong dressed in one of her signature mahj shirts.

Retired teacher brings bridge, mahjong to life

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished May 7, 2025

Phyllis Siegel may not have coined the phrase “Once a teacher, always a teacher,” but she certainly embodies it. Twenty years into retirement after a 30-plus-year career teaching French and sixth grade in the Mehlville School District, the 74-year-old...

Or Garti takes a selfie with her campers at Camp Ben Frankel.

From war zones to bunk beds: Camp Ben Frankel hosting 50 Israeli kids this summer—thanks to St. Louis donors

By Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished May 5, 2025

Camp Ben Frankel is hoping to welcome up to 50 Israeli children this summer, up from the 18 it hosted last summer, thanks to a fundraising campaign that has drawn strong support from the St. Louis Jewish community and beyond, as well as funding from Jewish...

Philip Fishman and Peggy Rothman.

After loss, two Jewish seniors find love in St. Louis—and a remarkable coincidence

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished April 24, 2025

Philip Fishman has a thing for coincidences. Sometimes he seeks them out—especially when he’s writing historical fiction novels. Other times, they find him. You decide which this is. When Fishman was 7 years old, his family moved to Olney, Ill....

Or Garti takes a selfie with her campers at Camp Ben Frankel.

War weary kids find summer sanctuary near St. Louis, but will they get to return?

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished March 11, 2025

Once again, Camp Ben Frankel is asking the St. Louis Jewish community for its help. Last summer, the camp launched an emergency fundraising campaign to try to bring up to 17 Israeli children affected by the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas...

L to R: Kristen Joy Lintvedt as Ann, Greg Johnston as Joe, Jayson Heil as Chris, and Amy Loui as Kate

NJT recognized across all categories at upcoming theater awards

By Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished February 14, 2025

The New Jewish Theatre received an impressive 19 nominations for the 2025 St Louis Theater Circle Awards, including eight for its production of “All My Sons.” This achievement includes at least one nomination for every show in NJT’s 2024 season....

Jewish love stories and Valentine’s wisdom

Jewish love stories and Valentine’s wisdom

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished February 13, 2025

What, if anything, connects Valentine’s Day to Judaism? On the surface, probably very little, as the holiday’s origins trace back to ancient Roman customs and Christian traditions (not to mention Hallmark and Russell Stover). However, when you...

Illinois students, STL Jewish community forge ties, understanding through Holocaust drama

Illinois students, STL Jewish community forge ties, understanding through Holocaust drama

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished February 4, 2025

Ashley Melton knew choosing the play was a bold decision. After years of directing comedies at Edwardsville High School (EHS), she felt it was time to offer her drama club a different experience, one that would challenge them with a true dramatic work.  What...

Rabbi-led photo ID project helps fix Missouri’s broken system

Rabbi-led photo ID project helps fix Missouri’s broken system

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished January 21, 2025

In one of the rooms where real change happens, four large desks stand ready for action. At each desk, a volunteer sits across from a guest, assisting them in obtaining a Missouri non-driver photo ID.  For many of these guests, this process involves...

Then and now: Aron and Jeanne Katzman on their wedding day 65 years ago and at a recent anniversary celebration.

Building a legacy of love: Couple’s 65 years of marriage, family inspire generations

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished January 8, 2025

If you’re anything like me, a feel-good story is exactly what you need right now — especially after the tragedy in New Orleans that started off the year. So when I heard how Aron and Jeanne Katzman’s family helped them celebrate their 65th anniversary...

Judy and Dr. Robert Hellman outside Young Israel.

The Jewish Community Blood Drive is back thanks to Bob and Judy Hellman

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished January 2, 2025

If it’s January, it must be time for the annual St. Louis Jewish Community Blood Drive at Young Israel in University City. Thanks to the efforts of Dr. Bob and Judy Hellman, named Jewish Light Unsung Heroes in 2014, the blood drive has been held annually...

Annual Couturier sale kicks off—inside luxury deals and what's next

Annual Couturier sale kicks off—inside luxury deals and what’s next

By Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished September 25, 2024

As shopping experiences go, the Couturier sale sits atop our Mt. Rushmore. Wednesday, Sept. 25, kicked off the 60th annual Couturier sale at the ReSale Shop, a key initiative of the National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis. In honor of 60 years,...

The 2024 Unsung Heroes are (clockwise from top left) Rachel Sanger, Sharon Weissman, Barb and Rich Kramer, Wendy Flusser, Linda Sandmel, Ken Weintraub, Ellen Schapiro, Hillary Friedman, Ram Lakshmanan and Peggy Cohen Voss.

Meet the 2024 Unsung Heroes

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished August 21, 2024

Nine individuals and one married couple will be recognized as the 2024 Jewish Light Unsung Heroes on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. This year’s 15th annual event will take place at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum.  Unsung Heroes,...

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