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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

Barbara Finch.

Barbara Finch, 87, leads protest from home—reflecting spirit of Unsung Heroes

BY ELLEN FUTTERMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished June 16, 2025

As part of the more than 2,000 “No Kings” protests held across the country on Saturday, June 14, about 65 demonstrators gathered outside the Bethesda Barclay House, an independent living residence in downtown Clayton, to protest President Donald Trump...

Jeremy Piven

No entourage: Solo Jeremy Piven brings stand-up comedy tour to Chesterfield

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

One of the first things Jeremy Piven will do when he steps onto the stage at the Factory in Chesterfield on June 8 is let the audience know he’s Jewish — just in case anyone was wondering. “You know how you can tell someone’s Jewish?”...

Raquel Scharf-Anderson

Mirowitz head of school planning to step down

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

The Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School is bracing for a significant leadership transition. Head of School Raquel Scharf-Anderson has announced her resignation, effective June 2026 — though the change may come even sooner.  “Leadership is...

Lynnsie Balk Kantor and Doug Gilberg were married May 18 at CRC, with Rabbi Daniel Bogard officiating.

Good cheer, open hearts inspire couple’s wedding despite St. Louis tornado

By Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished May 20, 2025

Friday’s tornadoes may have knocked out power a day and a half before their wedding May 18, but Lynnsie Balk Kantor and Doug Gilberg never considered rescheduling. The lights were out, the AC was gone, and the parking lot and neighboring streets looked...

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...

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