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

Parents, resolve your childhood issues before raising kids

Parents, resolve your childhood issues before raising kids

RICHARD LAZAROFF, Special to the Jewish LightPublished August 31, 2022

Congratulations! I hear you are pregnant. These are words many are eager to hear, and friends and family enjoy saying it. But after hearing the words out loud, it is time to get down to business and get ready. And task No. 1, if you haven’t already...

Upcoming events for Jewish families in St. Louis

Upcoming events for Jewish families in St. Louis

Published July 20, 2022

Upcoming events include a family "Making Mensches" event at Shaare Emeth's Mitzvah Garden, Kol Rinah's First Fridays family service, 'Matilda: The Musical,' the St Charles Jewish Festival and more. ‘Matilda: The Musical’ When/Where: July 22-24...

Groups launched to help Jewish couples with IVF face uncertain landscape after Roe reversal

JACKIE HAJDENBERG, JTAPublished July 13, 2022

(JTA) — Kristin had been trying to conceive for two years before learning that she had two blood-clotting conditions that increased her risk of miscarriage and could make pregnancy and childbirth dangerous, even fatal. So she and her husband Shai...

Nominations are open for Amy’s Mom Awards

Nominations are open for Amy’s Mom Awards

AMY FENSTER BROWN, Special to the Jewish LightPublished June 29, 2022

As I write this, I’m watching the Tony Awards, where Broadway artists are honored for their outstanding work. I love awards shows so much: the celebrities, the fashion, the speeches in which the winners act like they’re surprised to be revered because...

Deanna Shoss and Jerry Witkovsky are the authors of  “Where Two Worlds Meet: A Guide to Connecting With Your Teenage Grandchildren.”

Two worlds don’t have to collide: A guide for grandparents of teens

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished June 29, 2022

As a grandma with two amazing granddaughters, ages 6 and 4, I’ve got to say, life doesn’t get much better. They’re at the ages when they are so happy to see me, especially if it’s for a sleepover because they love to play “interview” at...

Kids at summer camp

Spreading wings and gritting teeth: It’s time for sleep-away camp

ELIZABETH MACANUFO, Special to the Jewish LightPublished June 22, 2022

I went to Camp Herzl in Minnesota for three weeks, returning on my 13th birthday. I hated it. I missed my family, objected to spending time outdoors and, as a Reform Jew, felt lost among my more religious peers. And yet, I strongly suggested that...

Grandparenthood comes with many perks and some responsibilities

Grandparenthood comes with many perks and some responsibilities

DR. RICHARD LAZAROFF, SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHTPublished June 1, 2022

Who hasn’t heard a friend claiming that being a grandparent is better than being a parent? You get to play with the child but can give them back when you want. Is it really that simple? Aren’t there “rules” that grandparents ought to abide by? Let’s...

The Abeles family wrapped in Elis tallit that he wore on his bar mitzvah 30+ years ago. Photo: Spoonful of Sugar Photography

Aaron Abeles honors his dad with special Bar Mitzvah project

Jordan Palmer, Chief Digital Content OfficerPublished May 5, 2022

Aaron Abeles has experienced losses no 13-year-old boy should ever know. He also has the maturity, at his age, to understand how to take those tough experiences and turn them into something good and beautiful. "It probably won’t surprise anyone that...

Lea-Rachel Kosnik with her husband, Logan, and their son, Vincent.

The challenge of interracial adoption: “Is he with you?”

LEA-RACHEL KOSNIKPublished May 5, 2022

“You should be a mother,” was what my own mother said to me the week before she died. I held her thin, weakened hand across the hospital bed and nodded. I was in my early 20s, and children seemed a far away possibility in an unlikely land that included...

Cindy Levin. Photo: Bill Motchan

Advocacy leader’s work inspires others to become activists

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish LightPublished May 4, 2022

If you’ve ever signed a petition, written a letter to the editor or marched for a cause you believe in, you participated in a form of advocacy. It’s an act of free speech that can help call attention to important issues. Cindy Levin has made advocacy...

Angela McManis is community services director at Jewish Family Services. Photo: Bill Motchan

Abuse prevention effort adapts over 30 years to keep kids safe

BILL MOTCHAN, Special to the Jewish LightPublished April 20, 2022

For 30 years, Jewish Family Services (JFS) has visited St. Louis area schools delivering its Child Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP). The initiative has never been more important. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in...

Jewish Song of the Week: ‘Save Our World’ by Stacy and Athena

Jewish Song of the Week: ‘Save Our World’ by Stacy and Athena

Published April 20, 2022

“Save Our World” by Stacy and Athena (JKids Radio) From Rick Recht: This week we celebrate Earth Day! There are SO many great kids songs from Jewish and secular artists about taking care of our planet — a message that grows more important year...

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