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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

Bill Motchan, writer/photographer

Bill worked in corporate communications for AT&T for 28 years. He is a former columnist for St. Louis Magazine. Bill has been a contributing writer for the Jewish Light since 2015 and is a three-time winner of the Rockower Award for excellence in Jewish Journalism. He also is a staff writer for the travel magazine Show-Me Missouri.

Bill grew up in University City. He now lives in Olivette with his wife and cat, Hobbes. He is an avid golfer and a fan of live music. He has attended the New Orleans Jazzfest 10 times and he has seen Jimmy Buffett in concert more than 30 times between 1985 and 2023.

All content by Bill Motchan
Members of the “Wandering Twos Motorcycle Club"

[Photo] ‘Wandering Twos’ roll into St. Louis for Holocaust victim’s mission

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 9, 2025
Antisemitism at home

[Photo] Fighting antisemitism starts at home, St. Louis leaders say

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published July 8, 2025
St. Louis Friends of Israel announces new grant program

St. Louis Friends of Israel announces new grant program

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published June 30, 2025
Shel Chesky and his daughter Lindsey Hermes

[Photo] From St. Louis with soy: Jewish family mixes faith and science to fix our roads

BY BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published June 4, 2025
Owen Whalen, 18, and Jake Goldfarb, 17

Future Senior Olympians? Meet the teens behind the clipboards

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 27, 2025
Rabbi Michael Alper

Rabbi speaks of Torah power at Memorial Day ceremony

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 26, 2025
1 copy

[Photo] Andy Katzman spent decades coaching baseball — now his name is on the field

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 20, 2025
The outside of Florentin on Delmar.

[Photo] St. Louis chef Ben Poremba’s restaurants hit by tornado — here’s how you can help

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 18, 2025
Rabbi Noah Arnow and Gitti Fredman.

Bagels and Bliss officially opens

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 13, 2025
Susan Florek, Roy Kramer, Lisa Kramer and Scott Berzon.

Pinball Wizard: Meet the Jewish pinball champs of St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published May 13, 2025
Tab Cohen and his Pontiac

[Photo] Hot rods and heart: Jewish car lovers rev up memories and medals in Chesterfield

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published May 6, 2025
St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 30, 2025
Erika Schwartz

[Photo] Born in a ghetto, one day before it was sealed: Her story moved St. Louis to tears

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 27, 2025
They came for surgery. They stayed for survival.

They came for surgery. They stayed for survival.

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published April 18, 2025
Crown Center Russian Seder

[Photo] From the Soviet Union to St. Louis: Russian Jews celebrate Passover in freedom

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published April 7, 2025
Aaron and Cynthia Vickar in the kichen of their Olivette home.

[Photo] Historic charm meets personal style inside the Vickars’ Olivette dream home

STORY & PHOTOS By BILL MOTCHAN, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
Published April 1, 2025
The Missouri State Capitol building on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.

Missouri Senate resolution affirms state’s support for Israel

Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published March 26, 2025
Steven Rosenzweig

Five questions with the new CEO at the J, Steven Rosenzweig

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 18, 2025
Bagels and Bliss brings fresh kosher bagels to St. Louis

Bagels and Bliss brings fresh kosher bagels to St. Louis

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 10, 2025
Everything you need to know about this year's 'Purim Parade'

Everything you need to know about this year’s ‘Purim Parade’

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 10, 2025
The Iftar that brought 200 people of different faiths together

The Iftar that brought 200 people of different faiths together

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 5, 2025
Bnai Amoona 140th Anniversary: 
Event co-chairs Michael Rubin, Jackie Levin, Judy Abrams and Rick Abrams

140 years of faith and community: A night to remember!

Bill Motchan, Special To The Jewish Light
Published March 2, 2025
The Avrutsky family (parents Raya and Harel, son Beeri and daughter Carmi) from Israel stayed at the Ohel Rina and Michael Bikur Cholim House in University City (above) while Beeri was undergoing surgery and months of rehabilitation.

[Photo] St. Louis Jewish community supports Israeli family during medical journey

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 18, 2025
Darren Grodsky and Danny Jacobs

[Photo] Hollywood duo brings hit podcast home—and fans can’t get enough!

By Bill Motchan, Special to the Jewish Light
Published February 14, 2025
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