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

Eric Mink photo of the headstone on the grave of his great-grandmother, Sarah Serkin. 

The emotional toll of fallen headstones

BY ERIC MINKPublished March 1, 2017

I think it was the violence that got to me, the sudden consciousness that a rampage of deliberate violence had taken place sometime in the past three days on the ground where I now walked. It had left its mark in plain sight.I actually staggered − just...

TOP ROW, FROM LEFT:  Sally Levy, Adam Ariel, Alex Ozar, Amanda Packman and Jill Schupp.SECOND ROW, From Left: Jeff Vines, Randy Vines, Will Kodner, Tali Katz, and Dr. Mauricio Lisker-Melman.THIRD ROW, From Left:Bob Kaiser, Eva Amelia Goodman, Gavriel Weiner, Lynne Prywitch and Debbie Manber Kupfer.

Jews in the News: March 1, 2017

Published March 1, 2017

Sally Levy will be honored as a Major Contributor to the Arts at the St. Louis Visionary Awards on April 24. Levy and her late husband, John D. Levy, have been major supporters of Opera Theatre of St. Louis (OTSL) for more than 40 years. She is the namesake...

Alan Pierson conducts Alarm Will Sound. Photo: Cory Weaver

‘Cave’ project brings together video, music and Abrahamic faiths

By David Baugher, Special to the Jewish LightPublished March 1, 2017

Caves are usually known for their darkness, but this month, one will come to town looking to spread a little light.“We’re proud to be bringing it here, and we really want St. Louis to turn out because people will be missing something if they don’t...

Estimates of up to 2,500 people gathered at Chesed Shel Emeth on Feb. 22 to help in a cleanup effort at the cemetery. Here the group listens to remarks by Gov. Eric Greitens, who put out a call on social media for volunteers to join him in a show of community support after 154 headstones were overturned or broken at the cemetery. Photo: James Griesedieck

Standing Tall

Jewish Light EditorialPublished March 1, 2017

In physics, Isaac Newton told us, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That observation certainly applies to the inspirational response to last week’s horrible desecration of the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City.As...

Deadline approaching for Inclusion Mini-Grants

Published February 22, 2017

The deadline to submit applications for Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ 2017 Inclusion Mini-Grants is Feb. 28.The Inclusion Mini-Grants are aimed at helping Jewish agencies and organizations eliminate barriers to active participation of individuals...

An architect’s rendering of the renovated exterior of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis building.

Federation starting $3.5 million renovation in May

By Eric Berger, Staff WriterPublished February 15, 2017

Jewish Federation of St. Louis plans to conduct a major renovation of its facilities in Creve Coeur. The first phase of the project will cost $3.5 million and include a new elevator at the three-story building at 12 Millstone Campus Drive; adding Americans...

Max meets Khizr Khan at the University of Virginia. Photo courtesy of Max Krupnick.

Former Ohr Chadash writer meets Khizr Khan

BY BEN REMIS, JUNIOR, JOHN BUROUGHS SCHOOLPublished February 8, 2017

The Ohr Chadash staff is a close group, so when Max Krupnick, former member of Temple Emanuel and a student at John Burroughs School, moved with his family to Charlottesville, Va. last summer, we were sad to see him go. Luckily, we have been able to keep...

 

Federation group plans ‘CommUNITY: Making a World of Difference’

Published February 2, 2017

Women’s Philanthropy of Jewish Federation of St. Louis invites women from throughout the Jewish community to unite and celebrate our various Jewish women’s volunteer organizations; over 25 organizations will be participating. The evening will take...

Dr. Jeremy Benstein

Traditional Congregation hosts scholar-in-residence weekend

Published February 1, 2017

Traditional Congregation’s 2017 Scholar-in-Residence program: “Putting the ‘Olam’ Back into Tikkun Olam” with Dr. Jeremy Benstein, co-founder of the Heschel Center for Sustainability in Tel Aviv. The community is invited to join us for an informative...

Israelis celebrate Jerusalem Day in 2013 by waving flags as they walk to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  File photo: Nati Shohat/Flash90

JCRC leader: We should embrace diverse Jewish voices in discussions about Israel

By Maharat Rori Picker-NeissPublished January 26, 2017

There is no one way to be pro-Israel. Our Jewish community maintains a strong, passionate, active, and engaged relationship with the State of Israel. How that should manifest, the values we should espouse, the goals we should work toward, the policies...

Nixon to visit Israel, Germany

Published November 10, 2016

For the second time in the last year, Gov. Jay Nixon is heading to Israel. Nixon is expected to travel to Israel on Nov. 15 to sign an agreement between the Missouri Technology Corporation, a state-run venture capital fund, and the Israel Innovation...

“They Call Me Supermensch: A Backstage Pass to the Amazing Worlds of Film, Food, and Rock ’n’ Roll”

Author’s journey includes sex, drugs and chicken soup

BY ERIC BERGER, STAFF WRITERPublished November 9, 2016

Readers beware, talent manager Shep Gordon no-holds-barred memoir is not for everyone. He opens with a story about how he stumbled upon a Hollywood, Calif. hotel in 1968, took a hit of acid and then tried to save a woman who he thought was being raped...

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