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

Alan Schaffer measuring the garden expansion.

This week’s Spotlight photos

Published June 4, 2020

With guidance from Gateway Greening of St. Louis, a nonprofit organization that aids over 200 community gardens, Congregation Shaare Emeth has planted and harvested eight raised beds in its Mitzvah Garden. Families have volunteered to water the garden...

Cynthia Levin serves on the national board of directors for RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund, which supports everyday people to use their voices and influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty.

We need strategic acts of kindness

By Cynthia LevinPublished February 1, 2017

In a time of national divisiveness, social media friends tell me that what the world needs now are “random acts of kindness” to get us through each day. I certainly can’t argue with that. Yet other posts and news articles are filled with desperate...

Shaare Emeth volunteers play a game of musical chairs during a recent ‘Winter Fun Day’ event for immigrant families at the International Institute. The congregation partnered with the institute on a ‘New Americans’ project, which provides services for immigrants in St. Louis. 

Shaare Emeth volunteers help immigrants adjust to life in St. Louis

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 26, 2017

For many Americans, the end-of-year holidays and the new year can be a restful time, but for refugees new to our nation, the challenges of learning a new language and nailing down essentials like food and clothing don’t take a holiday. Now, thanks...

Shaare Emeth chosen for URJ initiative on engaging boomers

Published July 27, 2016

Congregation Shaare Emeth is one of 17 Reform congregations in North America selected to participate in the newly formed Union for Reform Judaism Community of Practice (CoP) dedicated to engaging baby boomers. This CoP is a congregational networking group...

Rabbi Avraham Lapine is the director of Chabad of MU and Mid-Missouri. 

Unified vision key to repairing Mizzou’s fractured community

BY RABBI AVRAHAM LAPINEPublished July 13, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Our campus community is undergoing a much-needed period of healing. Racial protests, discriminatory bias and a toxic atmosphere of disunity have torn apart the fraternity of our school, threatening the core values upon which the University...

Benjamin Mkrtychyan lights a candle at last year’s Yom HaShoah community commemoration. 

Yom HaShoah commemoration planned for May 5

Published April 13, 2016

“To Honor and Remember: Testimonies of St. Louis Survivors and Witnesses” will be the focus of an annual Yom HaShoah commemoration at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 5, held at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road. The Holocaust Remembrance Day event...

My most memorable mikveh meeting

My most memorable mikveh meeting

BY ROBERT A. COHN, Editor-in-Chief EmeritusPublished January 25, 2012

One of the most memorable events during my long career at the Jewish Light took place in July of 1978 at the home of the late Rabbi Menachem Zvi Eichenstein and the late Rebbetzin Renee Eichenstein. That's when the two invited internationally noted sex...

Samantha Weil

Experiencing Israel—a journey to be continued

By Samantha WeilPublished January 25, 2012

Before leaving for Israel, I didn't fully understand the deep connection and love people have for it. I had learned a lot about Israel throughout my Jewish education, but I never felt a personal connection with the country or its people. Although I was...

Bob Millstone

2011 was mixed year for Federation fundraising

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished January 18, 2012

The numbers are a study in contrasts this year for the Jewish Federation of Greater St. Louis as the agency continues to pick its way through a turbulent economy and a rocky philanthropic environment. According to figures released Tuesday, the Jewish...

Rabbi Susan Talve

‘Hallelujah’: Local voices express pride, relief at news of bin Laden’s death — and remembrance of 9-11 victims

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 4, 2011

As he woke up Monday morning, Clayton resident Bill Goodfriend checked the news. What he saw amazed him. He immediately went out to put up his American flag. "It's a great day to be an American," said the Central Reform congregant. "Everybody can be really...

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