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 RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
This Torah story reveals the hidden key to true happiness

This Torah story reveals the hidden key to true happiness

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published September 12, 2024
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Shabbat Naso on heroin

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published June 13, 2024

Detective’s Revelation: Words come alive and lead him on new case

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman, Central Reform Congregation
Published April 18, 2024
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Parashat Vayeshev: No settling down in this, or any, era

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published December 10, 2020
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

You became thick, and you kicked

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published September 24, 2020
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

We are a tribal people but connected to the Source

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published July 16, 2020
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

I hear Leviticus, and baseball, speaking

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published March 26, 2020
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

On suicide and other difficult subjects

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published January 24, 2020
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Central Reform Congregation and is a past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical and Cantorial Association, which coordinates the d’var Torah for the Jewish Light.

‘Go toward’ a direction, if not a destination

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published December 5, 2019
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

The life of Sarah begins with the death of Sarah

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published November 21, 2019
D'var Torah: Taste and See

D’var Torah: Taste and See

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published August 29, 2019
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

No shame: Mental health event offers group support

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published August 1, 2019
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Embracing the mystery of Torah’s little red cow

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published July 11, 2019
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Torah portion upends gender stereotypes

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published April 4, 2019
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Without our leader Moses, we panicked

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published February 28, 2019
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Bigger than enmity

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published December 13, 2018
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Conversing with Maimonides with eyes wide open

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published October 25, 2018
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

It’s time to tell stories about our lives

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published September 20, 2018

Remembering Dick Gregory, the preacher

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published August 31, 2017
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Out loud and above ground about the opioid epidemic

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published July 6, 2017
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

On the suicide of celebrities

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published May 25, 2017
Rabbi James Stone Goodman created Shalvah, an outreach on addictions, as a project of Congregation Neve Shalom. Neve Shalom also sponsors the Jewish Prison Outreach and JAMI StL, a compassionate approach to mental illness.

Breaking the stigma around mental illness

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published April 13, 2017
Rabbi James Stone Goodman (left) and Rabbi Zach Fredman partnered to record musical videos for each portion of the Torah. 

We recorded the Torah

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published March 22, 2017
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

Rabbi James Stone Goodman: The Stories

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published February 2, 2017
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and Central Reform Congregation.

We can do better

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published December 21, 2016
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and Central Reform Congregation.

Parashat Vayeilech: I was there

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published October 5, 2016
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom. 

Af Tsu Lokhes: Do It In Spite Of

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published August 17, 2016
From left: Sephardi Synagogue in Havana,  the Guanabacoa Jewish Cemetery outside Havana and the Geniza in the Sephardi cemetery. All photos: Rabbi James Stone Goodman

The Remnant: Cuban Jews face challenges with hope

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published December 17, 2015

Knock-Knock

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published December 3, 2015
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and is immediate past president of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association. 

Shanda/shame: There is none

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published October 21, 2015
Rabbi James Stone Goodman leads Congregation Neve Shalom, a member of the Network of Jewish Renewal Communities.

On Robin Williams, suicide and suffering alone

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published August 20, 2014

Actor’s death brings needed focus on the problem of addiction

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published February 13, 2014
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association.

Descent and Ascent in Parashah Vayechi

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published December 26, 2012
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association.

O holy Shabbes inspiration Ki Teitzei

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published August 29, 2012
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

When the most that can be said about something is nothing

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published May 16, 2012
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

The Story of the Lost Jewish World of Sarajevo

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published March 28, 2012
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

D’var Torah— A reflection in poetry

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published February 22, 2012
Rabbi James Stone Goodman

D’var Torah: These are the generations of Isaac

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published November 23, 2011

Parsha Lech Lecha: Go, get thee out

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published November 9, 2011

D’var Torah: The great olive oil must suffer

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published September 14, 2011
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association.

O Holy Shabbes Inspiration Pinchas

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published July 13, 2011

D’var Torah: O holy Shabbes Bemidbar

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published May 26, 2011

D’var Torah: O holy Shabbes Inspiration Tazria

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published March 31, 2011

Parashat Tetzaveh: Our Teacher

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published February 9, 2011

O holy Shabbes — Inspiration Yitro

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published January 19, 2011

Parashat Noach: Enter the Word

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published October 6, 2010
Rabbi James Stone Goodman serves Congregation Neve Shalom and is a member of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association.

D’var Torah: On Selichot, less is more

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published September 1, 2010

The inside game

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published February 18, 2010

Genesis offers reminder to ‘really live’ wherever you may be

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published January 7, 2010

On Shemini Atzeret

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published October 6, 2009

Leaving our expectations for a dose of reality

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published August 25, 2009

The heel is that upon which everything else rests

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published August 19, 2008

A tree and its branches symbolize tribe’s exile

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published July 22, 2008

From questions to the priest from the old Temple journals

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published April 8, 2008

Whether an angel or a passerby, unnamed man changes history

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published November 27, 2007

Immense power of words cannot be limited except by imagination

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published July 17, 2007

‘Visit’ with Rashi gives insights into forgiveness

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published March 14, 2007

‘Visit’ with Rashi gives insights into forgiveness

By Rabbi James Stone Goodman
Published March 14, 2007

‘Visit’ with Rashi gives insights into forgiveness

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published March 14, 2007

The mystery of Joseph and his brothers gives pause

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published December 27, 2006

Jacob, the face of God and a wrestling match

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published December 5, 2006

Jacob, the face of God and a wrestling match

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published December 5, 2006

Image of branch connects to exile

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published July 16, 2006

Moshe displays true humility

BY RABBI JAMES STONE GOODMAN
Published March 8, 2006
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