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

Header image by Grace Yagel/70 Faces Media

How to host a backyard bar or bat mitzvah

HOLLY LEBOWITZ ROSSI, Kveller.comPublished June 23, 2021

If your family is planning a backyard bar or bat mitzvah, Dorothy’s famous words at the end of “The Wizard of Oz” might be on your mind: “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire… I won’t look any further than my own backyard.” True,...

Simcha Lourie will be the featured speaker at ‘The Events Event: 20/20 Vision for Life’s Celebrations,’ on Feb. 20 at Westwood Country Club.  

Coming in February: ‘The Events Event: 20/20 Vision for Life’s Celebrations’

By Ellen Futterman, EditorPublished January 16, 2020

The Jewish Light is planning a series of special events this year, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 20 with a luncheon at Westwood Country Club called “The Events Event: 20/20 Vision for Life’s Celebrations.” More than 20 tables will be beautifully designed...

Best of Simchas

Best of Simchas Readers Poll

Published January 2, 2020

We asked readers to cast their vote for St. Louis’ top businesses that help to make bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and other celebrations occasions to remember for a lifetime. More than 700 people voted in the poll and on the following pages, find the...

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The good, the bad and the absolutely embarrassing

Amanda CohenPublished June 21, 2010

The cost of a bar or bat mitzvah . . . substantial. The memories from that special day . . . priceless.We asked seven young adults from the St. Louis area, each of whom celebrated their bar or bat mitzvahs several years ago, to recall what memory or memories...

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Back to the books

Published June 21, 2010

Each Shabbat scores of proud parents beam from synagogue seats as their sons and daughters become bar and bat mitzvahs.But what if the roles were reversed?They were for Dr. Stephen Radinsky of Shaare Zedek. And by accident, quite literally.Twelve years...

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Man’s second bar mitzvah proves inspiring to watch

Rebecca L. BrownPublished June 21, 2010

Why? Why? Why?Those were the three opening words of Cal Levin, a 76-year old bar mitzvah.Why would a 76-year old guy decide to go back and do over what had been done 63 years ago?And what would drive five other women - all in various stages of motherhood...

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Cost-conscious party planning

Ellen FuttermanPublished June 21, 2010

If planning a bar or bat mitzvah celebration seems daunting, consider the following tips from local event planner Jamie Vollmer of Inspire PR and Events, which are designed to cut down the cost but not the good time: • Set your budget and priorities...

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Taking a team approach to a mitzvah project

David BaugherPublished June 21, 2010

For five local families it all started out as an informal discussion during a baseball game - but it certainly wouldn't end there."All of the moms were sitting on the bench talking, asking, ‘What are you going to do for a project?'" recalls one of them,...

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Shooting for a great mitzvah project

David BaugherPublished June 21, 2010

It was appropriate that James Fox's Torah portion was on Noah. He could certainly identify with the famous Biblical figure. "There was a huge thunderstorm the night before," said James, a Rockwood Valley Middle School student who will enter the eighth...

Complaints can be constructive — or destructive

Rabbi Josef A. DavidsonPublished June 21, 2010

Complainers - they can be a real pain for those in leadership positions and can threaten the effectiveness of the leader.  They undermine the confidence of those being led as well as of the leader him/herself.  They often take valuable energy away from...

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