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 Associate Editor
Aliza Gettenberg, a third-year dental student at Touro University, knew she wanted to become a dentist after someone’s description of the occupation as the “perfect combination of doctor, engineer and artist” struck a chord with her. (Dmitriy Kalinin)

With cutting-edge digital tools and a new research clinic, leading Jewish dental school doubles in size

Eric Berger, JTA
Published February 9, 2025
Parents who are carriers of genetic diseases can test embryos for genetic mutations using preimplantation genetic testing during the in-vitro fertilization process. (Abraham Gonzalez Fernandez / Getty Images)

For women using IVF to screen embryos for genetic diseases, these peers can offer support

Eric Berger, JTA
Published December 4, 2024
At the Charles Bronfman Prize's 20th anniversary celebration at the Jewish Museum in New York, numerous prize recipients talked about the positive ripple effect that receiving the prize has had on their work, Sept. 25, 2024. (Claudio Papapietro)

Twenty years in, this Jewish prize has turbocharged the work of a few remarkable humanitarians

Eric Berger, JTA
Published November 11, 2024
Remembering MLK’s St. Louis speech on the future of integration

Remembering MLK’s St. Louis speech on the future of integration

Eric Berger, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 15, 2023
Julie Frankel.Photo by Bill Motchan

Julie Frankel has become indispensable volunteer to many organizations

Eric Berger, Special To The Jewish Light
Published January 4, 2023
Hand in Hand is building inclusion and equality between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel through a growing network of bilingual, integrated schools and communities.

Jewish, Arab educators to St. Louis supporters: “We know ultra-nationalist Israelis deeply oppose what we do”

ERIC BERGER, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published December 13, 2022

Jewish interest in active shooter trainings soared after recent attacks

ERIC BERGER, JTA
Published July 12, 2022
Missouri's small towns are filled with rich Jewish history

Missouri’s small towns are filled with rich Jewish history

Eric Berger, Special For The Jewish Light
Published June 1, 2022
ADL honcho Jonathan Greenblatt discusses antisemitism, hate speech and Tucker Carlson in advance of his visit to St. Louis

ADL honcho Jonathan Greenblatt discusses antisemitism, hate speech and Tucker Carlson in advance of his visit to St. Louis

Eric Berger, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 17, 2022
Mike and Jane Weinhaus are flanked by their extended family. The couple, along with their two adult sons and one of their son’s wives, were among the first St. Louisans to contract the virus in March 2020. Both Michael and Jane were hospitalized; she spent nine days on a ventilator.

How the Weinhaus family found a new normal, 2 years after COVID

ERIC BERGER, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 8, 2022
Jewish Federation’s Community Security Director, Scott Biondo, speaks during a panel discussion on ‘Keeping Religious Communities Safe’ at Central Reform Congregation on Jan. 20. The event, planned by Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis and CRC, was broadcast via Zoom. Photo: Philip Deitch

St. Louis Jewish groups upping security after shul attack

ERIC BERGER, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 2, 2022
Burton and Benita Boxerman

Jewish authors pen book on DeWitt family

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published December 2, 2021
Ex-journalist Nancy Keyser helps repair the world by learning, telling stories

Ex-journalist Nancy Keyser helps repair the world by learning, telling stories

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published November 5, 2021
Photo by: Eric Berger

‘We can repair it’ ethic serves our “Unsung Hero” Carolyn Satz and others well

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published November 5, 2021
Rabbi Rachel Bearman is shown at a Central Conference of American Rabbis convention. Congregation Shaare Emeth has planned an installation ceremony for Bearman on Nov. 12.

Rabbi’s road to St. Louis began at age 16, ran through COVID

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published November 1, 2021
Maor Elbaz-Starinsky, (left) the consul general of Israel in Miami, presents Gov. Mike Parson with a copy of the Torah on Thursday, Oct. 28 in Missouri. (Photo from Gov. Mike Parson's Twitter feed.)

Missouri governor meets with Israeli consul general

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 29, 2021
Chanala Rubenfeld, co-director of Chabad of Chesterfield, is teaching a new course, “Well-Connected: It’s Not What You Know. It’s What You Do."

Chesterfield Chabad offers course for women on meaning of Jewish rituals

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 26, 2021

St. Louis Chabad directing new series on combatting antisemitism

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 26, 2021
U.S. Rep Andy Levin (center), Democrat of Michigan, spoke at a J Street breakfast fundraiser Oct. 25 at the St. Louis Club in Clayton.

Two-state solution bill sponsor: Don’t cancel Cori Bush over apartheid claim

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 26, 2021
Cultural Leadership has hired Tamyka Perine as its new executive director.

New Cultural Leadership director wants to build stronger relationships with Black churches

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 25, 2021
Jewish Light Exclusive: Natan Sharansky remains optimistic about Israel-Diaspora

Jewish Light Exclusive: Natan Sharansky remains optimistic about Israel-Diaspora

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 22, 2021
Cultural Leadership has hired Tamyka Perine as its new executive director.

Cultural Leadership hires new executive director

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 13, 2021
The Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem is expected to open in 2022.

St. Louis philanthropist helps bring long-delayed Jerusalem museum to completion

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 12, 2021
The Rep plans memorial to honor late artistic director Steven Woolf

The Rep plans memorial to honor late artistic director Steven Woolf

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 12, 2021
Dylan Lohss, a senior at Parkway Central High School, works with two fellow Boy Scouts to measure where they should place wooden markers as a guide for a contemplation area they were building Sunday, Oct. 3 at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in Chesterfield. (photo: Eric Berger)

Contemplate this: Local Boy Scout spends 300 hours helping Jewish cemetery

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 5, 2021
Joey Abeles, the new manager of the Maryville University Hillel, stands with the school mascot, Louie.

Maryville University Hillel hires new manager

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published October 3, 2021
Shira Berkowitz is president of the board of MaTovu and co-director of PROMO.

The Lighter Side: Q&A with Shira Berkowitz, leader of MaTovu, PROMO

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 28, 2021
Betty Goldstein, (left) founder of Thistle Hill Rescue, found a new home for two dachshunds with Judy Leventhal, a member of Central Reform Congregation.

Jewish pet rescuer in Missouri helps find new homes for hundreds of dogs each year

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 28, 2021
Scott Berzon, director of business operations at Congregation Shaare Emeth, constructed a sukkah at his home in Ballwin for the first time this year. The project started when his wife, Jamie, spotted a large pile of bamboo in a neighbor's yard with a sign: "Free." "Jamie convinced us it was time to try and build our first Sukkah. The process was just as rewarding as the end result, and we laughed along the way that our structure may very well be a symbol of impermanence," Scott Berzon explained.

PHOTO GALLERY: St. Louis Jews continue to celebrate Sukkot

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 26, 2021
Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat from St. Louis, voted against a bill to provide $1 billion to Israeli for its Iron Dome missile defense system.

Rep. Cori Bush opposed Iron Dome funding because it goes to ‘apartheid state’s military’

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 23, 2021
Congregation Temple Emanuel build a sukkah again this year with the help of congregants such as Ethan Goldfeder, son of Andrew Goldfeder, executive director of Temple Emanuel "It was a beautiful morning when the Temple Emanuel Sukkah was erected," said Andrew Goldfeder. "It was a wonderful Covid-friendly way for congregants to gather together for a fun and fulfilling time."

PHOTO GALLERY: Three sukkahs for the third day of Sukkot

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 23, 2021
Ellen Allard

Jewish Song of the Week: A celebratory tune for Simchat Torah

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 23, 2021
PHOTO GALLERY: St. Louisans share their sukkahs

PHOTO GALLERY: St. Louisans share their sukkahs

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 23, 2021
Creve Coeur rededicates park to Black doctor who faced injustice

Creve Coeur rededicates park to Black doctor who faced injustice

Eric Berger, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Published September 21, 2021
Lenny Kohn, co-owner of Kohn's Kosher Deli

Talking turkey — and grilled pastrami — with deli owner Lenny Kohn

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 21, 2021
Rabbis Karen and Daniel Bogard's three children were looking forward to sleeping under their sukkah in Creve Coeur. "They usually make it until about 1 a.m.," and then come inside, Daniel Bogard said. "It's my favorite holiday — being outside, being in nature. I love the construction project of building the sukkah each year."

PHOTO GALLERY: Hut, hut, hike. St. Louis Jews ready to celebrate Sukkot.

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 20, 2021
Marc Maron stars in the new Aretha Franklin biopic "Respect." Courtesy: MGM

Jewish comedian Marc Maron to bring laughs to St. Louis after Day of Atonement

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 13, 2021

Jason Kander brings project to help veterans to St. Louis

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 10, 2021

Jewish Song of the Week: A new musical take on Jonah and the big fish

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 9, 2021

Natan Sharansky headlines St. Louis Jewish Book Festival

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 2, 2021

Jewish Song of the Week: Make the New Year that much sweeter with this tune

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 2, 2021
‘An Interfaith Memorial in Music’ held at the Sheldon Concert Hall on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011. The event consisted of  sacred songs from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths.

Tenth anniversary St. Louis interfaith concert will continue building bridges

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published September 1, 2021
Rabbi Noah Arnow of Kol Rinah and Karen Aroesty, former regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, testify at an Aug. 23 Joint Committee on Education hearing concerning critical race theory curriculum and the 1619 Project.

Missouri Republicans’ proposed ban on critical race theory curriculum prompts worries about Holocaust education

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 31, 2021

Temple Israel rabbi promotes vaccine against COVID-19 in faith leaders’ PSA

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 30, 2021

A bittersweet New Year: St. Louis shuls eager to celebrate in spite of COVID disappointments

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 29, 2021

Jewish Song of the Week: Some musical assistance for your High Holy Days quest to repent

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 26, 2021
Dan Reich (right) is retiring from the Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum at the end of the month. The museum has hired Helen Turner as director of education and interpretation.

Holocaust educator from New York succeeds longtime curator at St. Louis museum

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 24, 2021
Jewish Song of the Week: A tune to get you ready for Rosh Hashanah

Jewish Song of the Week: A tune to get you ready for Rosh Hashanah

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 19, 2021

Concert commemorating local deaths from COVID will feature STL Jewish leader

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 19, 2021
On Friday, Aug. 13 at Protzel’s Delicatessen in Clayton, Steve Goode (gray The Great American Deli Schlep shirt) talks with the deli owner, Max Protzel (green shirt, apron), motorcyclist Steven Aroesty (vest with patches) and other Jewish riders.

Jewish motorcyclist noshes on Protzel’s pastrami during cross-country trek for hunger relief

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 18, 2021
Morgaine Rosenthal performs in the Cirque Italia Water Circus.

For this Jewish mermaid, life is a circus

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 17, 2021
Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis, speaks at a press conference on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 at the Lawrence K. Roos Government Building in Clayton.

Local Jewish leaders denounce Holocaust comparisons made at County Council meeting

ERIC BERGER, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Published August 16, 2021
Aaron Krawitz stars in "Golgotha" from Aug 19-22 at Talking Horse Productions in Columbia.

Retired engineer brings one-man play about Holocaust survivor to stage in Columbia

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 13, 2021
Jewish Federation of St. Louis and the J sponsored the Sababa Jewish Arts and Culture Festival on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018 at Washington University. Photo: Zach Dalin Photography

Sababa festival postponed until 2022 due to COVID-19

ERIC BERGER, Associate Editor
Published August 11, 2021
Noah Aronson is based in New York and performs in Jewish communities across the country.

Jewish Song of the Week: A summer groove to help you move

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 5, 2021
Merissa Nathan Gerson is the author of "Forget Prayers, Bring Cake: A Single Woman's Guide to Grieving."

Dealing with grief? Check out this Jewish author coming to Left Bank Books

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 3, 2021
Taylor Goldsmith of the band Dawes performs at the 2014 Newport Folk Festival.

Dawes is among Jewish acts coming to St. Louis this fall

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published August 3, 2021
TUESDAY, AUG. 12, 2014 - Mendel Rosenberg is one of the 2014 Ageless: Remarkable St. Louisans award winners. Mendel Rosenberg was 13 years old when the Nazis invaded his home country of Lithuania, killed his father and eventually sent him to Dachau concentration camp. He endured years of torture, starvation and deprivation, yet he survived. Seventy-two years later, he is on a mission to make sure nothing like that ever happens again. Mendel makes 80 to 100 presentations each year at the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and at area schools, sharing a story that is both horrifying and inspiring. ©Photo by Jerry Naunheim Jr.

Mendel Rosenberg, Holocaust survivor who shared story with thousands of St. Louis students, dies at 92

Eric Berger and Robert A. Cohn
Published July 30, 2021
Epstein Hebrew Academy appoints new head of school

Epstein Hebrew Academy appoints new head of school

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 29, 2021
Chabad’s roving rabbis make a stop in South Dakota (Chabad.org)

Nailing it: St. Charles Chabad distributes free mezuzahs to Jewish residents

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 28, 2021
National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis helped provide school essentials; clothes and other items to 2,000 St. Louis-area children during the organization's annual Back to School! Store on July 19, 2020. Pictured are Marci Ranger (left) and Chris Bomze.

NCJW again adjusts Back to School Store for COVID

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 27, 2021
Back to his roots: Eitan Kantor becomes artist-in-residence at B’nai Amoona

Back to his roots: Eitan Kantor becomes artist-in-residence at B’nai Amoona

ERIC BERGER, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Published July 20, 2021
Next Dor seeks young adults to serve as live-in fellows

Next Dor seeks young adults to serve as live-in fellows

ERIC BERGER, Associate Editor
Published July 19, 2021

Jewish Song of the Week: A tune to put you in the mood for Tu B’Av, the Jewish Valentine’s Day

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 15, 2021

Southern Avenue’s Israeli guitarist will be all over the Missouri map this summer

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 14, 2021
Steven Woolf spent 33 years as artistic director of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Photo courtesy The Rep

Steven Woolf, the Rep’s artistic director for more than 30 years, dies at age 75

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 14, 2021
Peggy Landsbaum is member services manager at the St. Louis Jewish Community Center.

The Lighter Side: Q&A with Peggy Landsbaum of the J

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 13, 2021
Lucy Greenbaum takes part in the 2019 Songleader Boot Camp held in St. Louis at the Jewish Community Center. Photo by Jack Hartzman

Shaare Emeth hosting concert and encouraging donations to support Israeli and Palestinian families

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 11, 2021
Artist Shira Kline, better known as Shir La La

Jewish Song of the Week: A tune to enjoy while tending the garden

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 8, 2021
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco

Members of the Tribe set to rock St. Louis this summer and fall

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 6, 2021
St. Louisan and acclaimed Jewish rock musician Rick Recht is executive director of Jewish Rock Radio.

Jewish Light, Rick Recht debut Jewish Song of the Week

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 1, 2021
The Sklar Brothers performed June 29, 2021 on "America's Got Talent." (Screenshot)

St. Louis’ favorite Jewish twins perform on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published July 1, 2021
Ophira Eisenberg (NPR/ Dan Dion)

NPR’s hilarious trivia guru Ophira Eisenberg to perform Friday at Gaslight Theater

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published June 29, 2021
Harvey Gerstein speaks in September 2019 at the Mirowitz Center during a kickoff event for Friends Enjoying Life, a group Gerstein formed to provide social opportunities for active senior men.

Mirowitz Center opens for some in-person programs

ERIC BERGER, Associate Editor
Published June 24, 2021
Malachi Owens Jr. (front) with the Men of Galilee Gospel Choir perform at a 2014 Shabbat service at Temple Emanuel in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo: David Phillips

Malachi Owens Jr., cantorial soloist at Temple Emanuel for more than 40 years, dies at 71

ERIC BERGER, Associate Editor
Published June 23, 2021
U.S. Reps. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., and Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., both faced threatening phone calls from Kenneth R. Hubert.

Missouri man pleads guilty to threatening Jewish, Black Congressmen

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published June 22, 2021
Clockwise from top left: Jeremy Piven, Marc Maron and Bob Saget. (Maron photo: Travis Shinn Photography; Saget photo: Behind The Velvet Rope TV/Wikimedia Commons)

Need a laugh? Check out these Jewish comedians coming to St. Louis this summer

ERIC BERGER, Associate Editor
Published June 22, 2021
Simon Igielnik (left) with his parents, Jack and Fela, during a 1995 family trip to Israel.

PBS documentary on aftermath of the Holocaust features survivors who moved to St. Louis

ERIC BERGER, Asssociate Editor
Published June 21, 2021
Fran Zellinger participates in a program funded by JCA Charitable Foundation targeted at St. Louis Jewish older adults.

JFS receives grant to help Jewish older adults with educational programs, health care

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published June 17, 2021
Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh of Temple Emanuel with members of the Israel Defense Forces in Israel.

How St. Louis Jews feel about Israel’s change in prime minister

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published June 15, 2021
Dr. Ghazala Hayat of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis speaks at a 2017 interfaith vigil at the Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse downtown, marking the 78th anniversary of end of the voyage of the MS St. Louis, an ocean liner carrying refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. The vigil was organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Holocaust Museum of St. Louis and several interfaith partners. Photo: Bill Motchan

St. Louis Islamic Foundation condemns anti-Semitism despite absence from local event

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published June 7, 2021
Rabbi Jeffrey Abraham holds open the door to the sanctuary at Congregation B’nai Amoona, which has been holding services at limited capacity since October. Photo: Bill Motchan

As arc of pandemic heads the right way, synagogues start to reopen their doors

ERIC BERGER, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Published June 4, 2021

St. Louis Jewish leaders urge Josh Hawley to avoid partisanship in condemning anti-Semitism

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 27, 2021
Rabbi Moshe Shulman teaches a class at Yeshivat Kadimah High School. Private religious schools in Missouri could benefit from a proposed tax credit program. Photo: Lisa Mandel

St. Louis Jewish community split on school choice tax credit program

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 25, 2021
Tyler Terry

Suspect in Goodkin fatal shooting captured in South Carolina

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 25, 2021
Photos of Tyler Terry (left) and Adrienne Simpson from Chester County, South Carolina, sheriff's office

St. Louis Jewish organizations help fund Goodkin murder investigation

ERIC BERGER, Associate Editor
Published May 21, 2021
Cris Jacobs

Dark Star drummer talks Grateful Dead with fellow Jewish musician Cris Jacobs

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 20, 2021
Barbara Goodkin, fatally shot, planned to serve as Holocaust museum docent

Barbara Goodkin, fatally shot, planned to serve as Holocaust museum docent

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 20, 2021
Michael Carnick (left) set his film, “The Forbidden Wish,” at a fictional St. Louis synagogue.

Filmmaker chooses St. Louis as backdrop for characters to debate the Jewish faith

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 20, 2021
Steve and Maxine Mirowitz with their grandson Ethan. Photo: Bill Motchan

Will the third time be a charm? St. Louis grandmother again tries to visit family in Israel

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 17, 2021
Edward and Avril Adelman immigrated in 2018 from St. Louis to Israel and now live in Tel Mond, a town of 13,000 east of Netanya.

Former St. Louisans now in Israel prepare to celebrate Shavuot amidst violent conflict

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 17, 2021
Missouri State Sen. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur

NCJW, Schupp advance long-sought domestic violence survivor legislation

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 16, 2021
St. Louisans to rally in support of Israel amidst country's escalating conflict with Hamas

St. Louisans to rally in support of Israel amidst country’s escalating conflict with Hamas

Eric Berger, Associate Editor
Published May 12, 2021
(From left) Infectious disease physicians Morey Gardner, Tessa Gardner, Michael Gutwein and Gregory Storch lead a panel discussion on the coronavirus on Feb. 23 at Bais Abraham Congregation. 

Infectious disease doctor urges vaccinated St. Louisans to remain vigilant

ERIC BERGER, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Published May 10, 2021
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