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 Philissa Cramer
Bat Sheva Marcus, the Orthodox sex therapist, is a co-founder and former board chair of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance. On April 11, 2022, she published an essay detailing harassment allegations that had been made against her. (Screenshot via YouTube)

External review clears Orthodox feminist group of wrongdoing after allegations against its sex-guru founder

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published July 12, 2023
Israel to invest $40 million in North American Jewish day schools

Israel to invest $40 million in North American Jewish day schools

Jackie Hajdenberg and Philissa Cramer
Published May 17, 2023
Children from British Jewish schools sing a new version of "Adon Olam" in honor of the coronation of King Charles III.

British Jewish schoolchildren present a new ‘Adon Olam’ for their king’s coronation

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published May 3, 2023
Cartoonist Al Jaffee at the New York Comic Convention in Manhattan, October 9, 2010. Photo by Luigi Novi. This photo may be used, modified and published for any purpose, only if a easily visible credit to the photographer is placed near the photo in each instance in which it is used.

Al Jaffee, iconic Mad Magazine cartoonist, dies at 102

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published April 11, 2023
Kanye West seen in Los Angeles, Oct. 21, 2022. (Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin via Getty)

Why Kanye West says he ‘likes Jewish people again’

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published March 26, 2023
Director Norman Jewison and actor Chaim Topol (Tevye) share a laugh on the set of the 1971 film “Fiddler on the Roof.” Courtesy of Zeitgeist Films.

Chaim Topol, Israeli actor who played Tevye in 1971 ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ film, dies at 87

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published March 9, 2023
Image courtesy of paradebroadway.com/press/

Neo-Nazis rally outside Broadway preview of ‘Parade,’ about an antisemitic murder

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published February 22, 2023
Mass protest in Jerusalem as Knesset advances judicial reforms over widespread objections

Mass protest in Jerusalem as Knesset advances judicial reforms over widespread objections

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published February 13, 2023

Israeli rescue team evacuated from Turkey on Miriam Adelson’s plane amid ‘concrete and immediate threat’

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published February 12, 2023
Man arrested in shooting at San Francisco Jewish center, charged with drawing imitation firearm

Man arrested in shooting at San Francisco Jewish center, charged with drawing imitation firearm

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published February 6, 2023
Jeff Zients. Public Domain.

Biden picks Jeff Zients, Jewish advisor who helped launch DC bagel chain, as new chief of staff

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published January 23, 2023

Netanyahu government introduces bill to diminish Israel’s top court

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published January 5, 2023
Iconic Jewish Argentinean sportscaster makes all-time call upon Argentina winning World Cup

Iconic Jewish Argentinean sportscaster makes all-time call upon Argentina winning World Cup

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published December 19, 2022
The Hanukkah merch market has exploded. But are Jews feeling more represented?

The Hanukkah merch market has exploded. But are Jews feeling more represented?

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published December 13, 2022

Drug charges dropped against ‘mushroom rabbi’ who promotes religious psychedelic use

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published December 12, 2022

Michigan man charged with ‘ethnic intimidation’ after harassing synagogue-goers over Israel

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published December 5, 2022

Kanye West suspended again from Twitter after posting swastika

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published December 2, 2022

Michelle Williams, who plays Steven Spielberg’s mother in ‘The Fabelmans,’ says she plans to raise her children Jewish

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 29, 2022

Orthodox Union endorses Respect for Marriage Act, federal bill to protect same-sex marriage

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published November 17, 2022

Influencer Lizzy Savetsky exits ‘Real Housewives of New York,’ citing antisemitism

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 17, 2022

Noa Kirel, Israel’s hottest singer, wore a Kanye West-printed outfit to Europe’s MTV awards

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 14, 2022

With a dark winter looming in Ukraine, Jewish groups send generators and other support

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 10, 2022

‘The jokes were fantastic’: Jewish Twitter users reflect on their community as the Musk era sets in

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 9, 2022

Chicago suspended a principal who downplayed a senior’s Nazi costume. Jewish students say it’s not enough.

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 8, 2022

‘F— antisemitism,’ John Mellencamp says as his Jewish lawyer is inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 7, 2022

The Kyrie case isn’t about ‘Blacks vs. Jews.’ It’s about bigotry.

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 6, 2022

New Jersey synagogue threat ‘no longer considered active,’ local Jews are told

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published November 4, 2022

Doug Mastriano’s wife: ‘We probably love Israel more than a lot of Jews do’

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published October 30, 2022

NBA star Kyrie Irving defends decision to promote antisemitic movie

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published October 30, 2022

Adidas terminates partnership with Kanye

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published October 25, 2022

‘Kanye was right about the Jews,’ antisemitic group says on Los Angeles highway banner

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published October 23, 2022

‘Not all Nazis were bad,’ an Indiana school board candidate comments, drawing ire

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published October 21, 2022
CNN is airing a special on antisemitism. Here’s your guide to what it will cover.

CNN is airing a special on antisemitism. Here’s your guide to what it will cover.

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published August 19, 2022
The story of the ‘Inca Jews’ is finally being told

The story of the ‘Inca Jews’ is finally being told

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published August 5, 2022

Jewish buyer snags Hitler’s watch for $1.1M, according to Maryland auction house

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published August 1, 2022

Saudi Arabia arrests citizen who helped Israeli journalist enter Mecca illegally

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published July 22, 2022

6 killed at July 4 parade in Highland Park, Illinois, a heavily Jewish suburb of Chicago

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published July 5, 2022

Days after US ends right to abortion, Israel eases restrictions on ending pregnancies

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published June 27, 2022
A rabbi and his students from Oholei Torah in Crown Heights, Brooklyn prepare to hand out shmura matzah to passersby near Lincoln Center in Manhattan, April 12, 2022. (Jackie Hajdenberg)

For their late leader’s milestone 120th birthday, Chabad Jews stage a worldwide celebration

PHILISSA CRAMER, JTA
Published April 13, 2022
Idit Silman, member of the Yamina party, speaks to Yair Lapid, member of the Yesh Atid party, at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 13, 2021. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

Israel’s governing coalition in crisis as right-wing Knesset member resigns, citing Passover food in hospitals

PHILISSA CRAMER
Published April 6, 2022
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is drawing admiration from Jews who see him as a heroic figure. (Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

For many Jews watching Ukraine’s war, Vlodymyr Zelensky is a ‘modern Maccabee’

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published February 28, 2022
School board members in McMinn County, Tennessee, objected to Art Spiegelman's "Maus" because of its language and images. (Philissa Cramer)

Tennessee school board removes ‘Maus,’ iconic Holocaust novel, from its curriculum

PHILISSA CRAMER
Published January 27, 2022

Adrien Brody brings a Jewish character — and antisemitism — to HBO’s ‘Succession’

Philissa Cramer
Published November 8, 2021
Jon Hamm and Larry David discuss Yiddish words during the first episode of Season 11 of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." (Screenshot from HBO)

Larry David gives Jon Hamm a Yiddish lesson in very Jewish start to new season of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’

Philissa Cramer
Published October 25, 2021
Jean Meltzer aimed to subvert traditional Jewish stories in her debut novel "The Matzah Ball." (Lisa Damico/Mira Books; collage and illustration by Grace Yagel)

The author of ‘The Matzah Ball,’ a Hanukkah novel, wants Jews to read more romance

Philissa Cramer
Published October 19, 2021
Jurgen Krauss, who bakes challah for his family's synagogue, shows off his Passover-inspired pavlova in "The Great British Baking Show" tent. (Screenshot from Netflix)

Jürgen brings Passover to the ‘Great British Baking Show’ with charoset-and-matzah-topped pavlova

Philissa Cramer
Published October 15, 2021

Texas official to teachers: State law requires teaching ‘opposing’ views on the Holocaust

Philissa Cramer
Published October 14, 2021
(Sefaria/Wikimedia Commons)

A pioneering German translation of the Talmud, finished in 1935, is now accessible online

Philissa Cramer and Joe Baur
Published October 14, 2021
Rivka Taub Rivera, a physical education teacher at a New York City public school, began her maternity leave early to avoid having to comply with a vaccine mandate that went into effect for city teachers on Oct. 4, 2021. (Courtesy Rivera)

These Jewish NYC schoolteachers want a religious exemption from the city’s vaccine mandate

Philissa Cramer
Published October 4, 2021

Effort to recall California’s governor fails, but scrutiny on Dianne Feinstein could be lasting effect

Philissa Cramer
Published September 15, 2021
From left: Comedian Eric Andre, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero are seen in The Village Temple in New York City during an episode of "Desus & Mero." (Screenshot from YouTube)

Desus and Mero get a bar mitzvah (of sorts), with the help of Eric Andre and an NYC rabbi

Gabe Friedman and Philissa Cramer
Published August 6, 2021

US officials denounce antisemitism after swastika is found in State Department elevator

Philissa Cramer
Published July 28, 2021

Jackie Mason was a Jewish American comedy icon. These videos show why.

PHILISSA CRAMER
Published July 25, 2021
Jewish influencers and users of Instagram, the visual social networking app that is widely used for activism, say it became a challenging place during the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Screenshot)

“Not good for my mental health’: Jewish Instagrammers struggle amid Israel-Gaza conflict and antisemitic violence

Philissa Cramer, JTA
Published May 21, 2021

Jerusalem in tumult, 9 dead in Gaza, as Israel and Hamas exchange fire

Philissa Cramer
Published May 10, 2021

What to know about the Sarah Halimi case and why it matters

Philissa Cramer and Cnaan Liphshiz
Published April 29, 2021

After losing her father, this NY paramedic went back to work responding to COVID calls

Philissa Cramer
Published March 22, 2021

Ancient biblical scroll fragments discovered in Israeli Cave of Horror

Philissa Cramer
Published March 16, 2021
Yaphet Kotto

Yaphet Kotto, ‘Homicide’ and ‘Alien’ actor who was one of the first Black Jews on screen, dies at 81

Philissa Cramer
Published March 16, 2021

In some places, Rosh Hashanah falls on the first day of school. The COVID crisis is adding pressure to change it.

Philissa Cramer
Published March 8, 2021

Israel rocked by COVID death of pregnant 32-year-old who had not been vaccinated

Philissa Cramer
Published February 21, 2021

Kansas City meteorologist apologizes after showcasing Kitler, a Hitleresque cat, on air

Philissa Cramer
Published February 16, 2021

The viral cat lawyer once drew national attention for his prosecution of a Jewish smoke shop owner

Philissa Cramer
Published February 12, 2021

Karen Lewis, Jewish union chief who made Chicago’s teachers into a national force, is dead at 67

Philissa Cramer
Published February 9, 2021

Jewish man leaves $2M to French mountain town that hid him from Nazis

Philissa Cramer
Published January 31, 2021

ADL: Gaming network Twitch is most effective social platform at curbing Holocaust denial

Philissa Cramer
Published January 27, 2021
Tobin Mitnick really loves trees, and wants you to, too. (Courtesy of Mitnick)

TikTok’s comic ‘Jew Who Loves Trees’ wants you to take Tu b’Shvat very, very seriously

Philissa Cramer
Published January 26, 2021

Israel closes its borders, including for citizens and immigrants, in effort to curb COVID-19

Philissa Cramer
Published January 25, 2021

Jon Ossoff had a totem of his American Jewish heritage in his pocket when he joined the Senate

Philissa Cramer
Published January 21, 2021

Meet a rabbi who’s been stationed at the US Capitol

Philissa Cramer
Published January 15, 2021

Jon Ossoff: Everything you need to know about the (likely-to-be) newest Jewish Democratic senator

Philissa Cramer
Published January 6, 2021

Netanyahu says he wants to be first Israeli vaccinated against COVID-19

Philissa Cramer
Published December 9, 2020

7 especially Jewish ‘Jeopardy!’ moments from Alex Trebek’s 36 years as host

Philissa Cramer
Published November 8, 2020
William Latson issued a public apology a week before the Palm Beach County School Board voted a second time to terminate his employment. (Screen shot from YouTube) 

Florida principal who was fired — then rehired — after Holocaust denial is fired again

Philissa Cramer
Published November 2, 2020

The man behind the Faces of COVID Twitter account wants to help America face its grief

Philissa Cramer
Published October 13, 2020

After Heshy Tischler is arrested for inciting a riot in Borough Park, his followers mob the home of the reporter he targeted

Philissa Cramer
Published October 12, 2020
The video of Bibi Shapiro singing "Avinu Malkeinu" was played during online Yom Kippur services through New York's Central Synagogue. (Screenshot from YouTube)

Bibi Shapiro, the 6-year-old whose ‘Avinu Malkeinu’ went viral, sang at Central Synagogue’s Yom Kippur services

Philissa Cramer
Published September 29, 2020

Shortened shofar blasts and last-minute sermon tweaks: How Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death changed Rosh Hashanah services

Philissa Cramer
Published September 21, 2020

This Jewish comedian has been helping rabbis nail the delivery on their High Holidays services

Philissa Cramer
Published September 18, 2020

Seasons without song: How Jews are adapting to the sudden disappearance of communal singing

Philissa Cramer
Published September 16, 2020

The ‘Avinu Malkeinu’ kid isn’t Amar’e Stoudemire’s son. But he does have a message for the High Holidays. Take it from his mom.

Philissa Cramer
Published September 14, 2020
Worshippers danced late into the night at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn after Selichot services early on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (Screenshot from livestream)

Amid increasing COVID alarm, packed services held at Chabad’s Brooklyn headquarters Saturday night

Philissa Cramer
Published September 13, 2020

HBO’s ‘Lovecraft Country’ contains a plot point that resembles an age-old anti-Semitic lie. Why?

Philissa Cramer
Published September 1, 2020

How Jewish socialist summer camp shaped Ron Bloom, one of the men responsible for the Postal Service’s future

Philissa Cramer
Published August 18, 2020

Marjorie Taylor Greene, House candidate who advanced QAnon theory about Rothschilds and Soros, wins primary in Georgia

Philissa Cramer
Published August 12, 2020
Eliezer Sherbatov, second from right, pictured here in 2015, has signed to play for the hockey team in Oswiecim, Poland. 

Captain of Israel’s hockey team signs to play in Oswiecim, otherwise known as Auschwitz

Philissa Cramer
Published August 9, 2020

President Trump reportedly lashed out at Sheldon Adelson, one of his biggest donors

Philissa Cramer
Published August 9, 2020

‘Was she talking about me?’ Nick Cannon ends July by reviewing Bari Weiss’ ‘How to Fight Anti-Semitism’

Philissa Cramer
Published July 31, 2020

Andrzej Duda, Polish president who vowed no reparations for Jews, appears to eke out reelection

Philissa Cramer
Published July 13, 2020
Kenneth Marcus in 2017. (Facebook) 

Kenneth Marcus, high-ranking US education official, returning to Jewish civil rights agency

Philissa Cramer
Published July 10, 2020

Mandy Patinkin lends his voice to the growing chorus of West Bank annexation opponents

Philissa Cramer
Published June 29, 2020

This quiz show aficionado has won JTA’s ‘You Call That News?!?’ 4 times. Who will break his streak?

Philissa Cramer
Published June 24, 2020

Meet the Jewish day school teacher who wagered $18 on ‘Jeopardy!’ and won $50,000

Philissa Cramer
Published June 10, 2020

This Israeli’s daily ‘dad jokes’ are making his Chicago neighbors laugh during dark times

Philissa Cramer
Published June 3, 2020

‘We stand in solidarity’: What Jewish organizations are saying about the protests over George Floyd’s death

Philissa Cramer
Published May 31, 2020

Gila Golder, a news junkie whose grandfather knew Elvis, won last week’s JTA quiz show. Can you beat her?

Philissa Cramer
Published May 28, 2020

Lag b’Omer is traditionally a day of Jewish weddings. What will happen under social distancing?

Philissa Cramer
Published May 11, 2020
Hundreds of Orthodox Jews attend a funeral in Brooklyn on April 29, 2020. (Reuven Blau/Twitter) 

Reacting to a packed funeral, New York City mayor warns ‘the Jewish community’ and faces a swift firestorm

Philissa Cramer
Published April 29, 2020

Here are our Passover plans, and how the pandemic has changed them. What are yours?

Philissa Cramer
Published April 8, 2020

Ramah in the Rockies, a Jewish summer camp, averts layoffs with a federal grant

Philissa Cramer
Published April 7, 2020
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