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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

Would you like to be our "Hanukkah Harry?"

Would you like to be our “Hanukkah Harry?”

Ellen Futterman, EDITOR-IN-CHIEFPublished November 30, 2021

Donate Here  I’m sure I’m not alone here, but this time of year has me thinking a lot about gratitude and feeling grateful for the many blessings in my life, not the least of which are family and friends. I’m also grateful, and thankful, for my...

Anya Corson, owner 
of Anya’s 
Apothekere.

Annual News & Schmooze Hanukkah Gift Guide

Ellen Futterman, Editor-in-ChiefPublished November 19, 2021

We will have barely cleared the dishes from Thanksgiving, when Hanukkah shows up a few days later — in November, no less. If like me, you’re behind in your Hanukkah shopping — or haven’t even started! — perhaps some things in the Light’s...

Beekeeper Lonnie Grosman. Photo: Bill Motchan 

Buzz-worthy project at United Hebrew brings sweet rewards

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished August 26, 2021
Earlier this summer, Lonnie Grosman constructed the UH beehive boxes out of pine wood and purchased a bee package of sorts for the largest of the three hives. The package came in a screened cage with three pounds of bees, including a queen (she is the egg layer – without her, no more bees), which he put it in the back seat of his car and drove to the synagogue.
St. Louis baker Jodie Bertish and some of her strudel selections  on display.

Sweet pastry by ‘Jewish Strudel Lady’ is likely to remind you of grandma’s

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished August 20, 2021

To help overcome shyness as a girl, Jodie Bertish’s parents sent her to a cooking class. She adored it. So much so, it jump-started her love of baking. She began experimenting with recipes and sharing the results with family and friends. Her...

Lynnie’s Light for Life to honor legacy of Lynnie Isaacs Palan

Lynnie’s Light for Life to honor legacy of Lynnie Isaacs Palan

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished August 16, 2021

The Jewish Community Center and the family of Lynnie Isaacs Palan (z”l), invite the community to honor the legacy of an inspiring woman. Lynnie’s Light for Life 2021 takes place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1  at the J’s Staenberg Family Complex...

Changing her focus: Animal photographer turns to capturing faces of older St. Louis women

Changing her focus: Animal photographer turns to capturing faces of older St. Louis women

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished August 11, 2021

Editor's note: This is a more complete story of a version that ran online earlier this month. One familiar refrain we women of a certain age hear is that we’re invisible. It’s not that anyone actually says that out loud, but we feel it from...

Author, sports columnist Benjamin Hochman to speak at Clayton Chamber event 

Author, sports columnist Benjamin Hochman to speak at Clayton Chamber event 

Published August 2, 2021

St. Louis Post-Dispatch sports columnist and author Benjamin Hochman will speak at the Clayton Chamber of Commerce networking luncheon Thursday, Aug. 19th.  The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clayton Plaza Hotel, 7750 Carondelet...

In Missouri, the fun flows from backyards to rivers

In Missouri, the fun flows from backyards to rivers

ELLEN FUTTERMANPublished July 30, 2021

Much of the content in this edition of the Jewish Light (printed paper July 28th issue) is devoted to transforming outdoor living spaces into relaxing sanctuaries. We hope we’ve piqued your interest and enticed you to watch a 30-minute video at stljewishlight.org/outdoorliving,...

Max & Louie Productions brings "Tiny Beautiful Things" to the stage July 29-Aug. 8. Photo: Dan Donovan

Lived advice from the heart animates ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished July 25, 2021

Sydnie Grosberg Ronga wasn’t supposed to be directing “Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar” because the play, presented by Max & Louie Productions, was supposed to be performed last summer. Of course, we know that...

Light prepares to host first Outdoor Living Showcase

Light prepares to host first Outdoor Living Showcase

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished July 15, 2021

More of us came to appreciate our backyards and outdoor living spaces during the pandemic, if for no other reason than they provided a somewhat safe haven for us to socially distance ourselves from one another and still be able to visit with friends and...

Jeff Baumgarten goes up the Warped Wall during the Jennifit fundraiser at Howdershell Park in May 2021

This ninja warrior faced an unusual obstacle: his bar mitzvah

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished July 15, 2021

I recently caught up with my ninja warrior friend, Jeff Baumgarten, who will be a seventh grader at Parkway Central Middle School, attending virtually. He became a bar mitzvah last month at United Hebrew. You might remember that when we last left Jeff,...

Aubrey Yawitz is surrounded by his children (from left) Nancy, Richard, Carol and Joanne for his 105th birthday.

Life is no picnic, but at 105 years, he does the best he can

ELLEN FUTTERMAN, Editor-in-ChiefPublished July 5, 2021

When Nancy Yawitz told me recently that her father, Aubrey Yawitz, had turned 105 earlier this month, I knew I wanted to meet him. And soon.  On Sunday, I went to the Clayton home Aubrey has lived in since 1954 and now shares with Nancy, who helps...

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