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

Rabbi Arthur Schneier, left, meets with U.S. subcontractor Alan Gross in the Havana prison facility where Gross is being held, March 6, 2012.

Gross advocates press for consideration of some Cuban Five demands

By Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished May 21, 2012

WASHINGTON — Advocates for Alan Gross say talk of a trade with the “Cuban Five” is a non-starter, but acknowledge hopes that the Obama administration will consider lower-level concessions for the five Cuban spies in exchange for Cuban considerations...

Alan Gross’ wife hoping Cubans reciprocate humanitarian gesture

JTAPublished March 20, 2012

WASHINGTON -- The wife of Alan Gross welcomed a judge’s decision to temporarily release a convicted Cuban spy to visit his ailing brother and said she hoped the Cuban government would grant a similar request to her husband. “I empathize with Rene...

Judy and Alan Gross are pictured in a family photo.

Alan Gross’ family appeals to pope to press for his release

By Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished March 7, 2012

WASHINGTON -- Alan Gross' family is appealing to Pope Benedict XVI to plea for Alan Gross' release when he visits Cuba. "We believe this is a special opportunity," Peter Kahn, Gross' American lawyer told JTA this week. "Given the significance of the Pope’s...

Judy and Alan Gross are pictured in a family photo.

Alan Gross revelations could hamper campaign for his release from Cuba

By Ron Kampeas, JTAPublished February 22, 2012

WASHINGTON—For the Jews of Cuba, it was the ultimate Internet connection. The high-tech equipment that U.S. contractor Alan Gross brought with him to Cuba in 2009 to help connect local Jews to the Internet reportedly included a SIM card that makes it...

Judy and Alan Gross are pictured in a family photo.

Two years into prison term, wife hopes to make Alan Gross a ‘household name’

By Jacob Kamaras, JointMedia News ServicePublished November 30, 2011

A typical day in the life of Alan Gross entails walking around his room a couple thousand times, push-ups and sit-ups, and reading. He doesn't have access to kosher food, and if he sees something moving on his plate he pushes it away. That's the description...

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