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

St. Louis hosting the JCC Maccabi Games was one of the major stories in the St. Louis Jewish Community in 2016. Maccabi photo: Mike Sherwin

A look at 2016’s top stories in St. Louis Jewish news

Compiled by Jewish Light staffPublished January 4, 2017

Some would rather forget the year 2016, which will likely be remembered for its contentious presidential primary and election processes. But in St. Louis, it was also a year of several highs, including the city hosting the JCC Maccabi Games last summer,...

Tikkun olam is key part of Maccabi Games

By Hannah Snidman, Staff writerPublished July 27, 2016

When the 2016 JCC Maccabi Games get underway in St. Louis beginning Sunday, July 31, much of the focus will be on the athletic competitions that underscore the weeklong event. But a hidden gem defines the spirit of what these Games are truly all about:...

Maryville University outreach helps St. Louis JCC put on games

By Eric Berger, Staff WriterPublished July 27, 2016

A few years ago, Jewish Community Center President and CEO Lynn Wittels was at a Cardinals game with some leaders of Maryville University. The Maryville officials mentioned their efforts to increase Jewish life on campus. Wittels suggested that the school...

JCC Maccabi Games coach Jim Greenstein greets athletes during a meeting for players and parents on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center. Photo: Andrew Kerman

Let the Games begin!

By Eric Berger, Staff WriterPublished July 27, 2016

In 2014, Jonathan Deutsch traveled by himself to Cherry Hill, N.J. to watch the JCC Maccabi Games. In most years, the Jewish owner of a manufacturing company would have been joined by hundreds of teenage athletes from St. Louis competing in sports ranging...

David Roberts (left) participated in the Maccabi Games first as an athlete and then as a coach. Roberts and his wife, Donelle (right), are competition co-chairs of this year’s JCC Maccabi Games. 

Former St. Louis Maccabi athletes stay connected with the Games

By Hannah Snidman, Staff writerPublished July 27, 2016

Given that the JCC Maccabi Games have been around since 1982, several St. Louisans who took part in them as teenagers are now involved as adults in other aspects of the weeklong competition. What follows are the stories of five local individuals who have...

Feeding 1,500 hungry athletes and coaches takes team effort

By Hannah Snidman, Staff writerPublished July 27, 2016

With more than 1,500 hungry athletes and delegation coaches in St. Louis for nearly a week, feeding mouths at the 2016 JCC Maccabi Games could be a challenge.However, the three co-chairs responsible for handling all of the meals promise that Games participants...

Halle Wasserman

Meet the Maccabi athletes

Compiled by Hannah SnidmanPublished July 27, 2016

Halle WassermanDelegation: St. LouisAge: 12Sport: Volleyball, setterNumber of years playing in Maccabi Games: First yearWhat are you most looking forward to about the week?I’m excited to play, meet people from other states, and do the evening activities...

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