As anti-Israel and incidents of antisemitism escalate on the campus of Washington University, concerns remain about the safety of Jewish students. On Saturday, April 27 a group of anti-Israel protesters gathered outside the Olin Library before moving to the east end of the Danforth Campus near Skinker Boulevard where they set up approximately 10 tents. Despite the university’s swift response, which led to police arresting more than 90 protesters, including 23 WashU students and 4 university employees, tensions remain high. “We are dismayed to see anti-Israel protests at colleges and univer ..read more

Haley and James Kodner of St. Louis would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Eleanor Marion Kodner, on March 6, 2024.  Eleanor is the granddaughter of Nancy and Mark Kodner of St. Louis, and Debbie and Mike Johnson and the late Bruce Becker of Overland Park, Kan.  She is the great-granddaughter of the late Emma and Harry Becker of Kansas City, Ann and the late Elmer Schweiss of St. Louis, and Penny and the late Martin Kodner of St. Louis. Eleanor has one sibling, Josie Kodner, who is 4 years old. The post Eleanor Marion Kodner just broke the Internet with this smile appear ..read more

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Source: Flickr. The head of the Anti-Defamation League on Saturday called on Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to apologize after she accused some Jewish students of being “pro-genocide” in a statement on antisemitism. “It is patently false and a blood libel to suggest that ANY Jewish students are ‘pro-genocide,’” tweeted ADL CEO and national director Jonathan Greenblatt, charging Omar with putting students’ lives at risk. “It is gaslighting to impute that Jewish people are somehow at fault for being harassed and menaced with signs and slogans literally c ..read more

This story was originally published in the Forward. Click here to get the Forward’s free email newsletters delivered to your inbox. Jerry Seinfeld, promoting his new film about a fictive arms race to invent toaster pastries, says they don’t make sitcoms like they used to.   On The New Yorker Radio Hour, the comedian lamented the bygone days of network monoculture, where people would flip on Cheers or M.A.S.H. or The Mary Tyler Moore Show. And, it goes without saying (it’s the subtext) that you couldn’t make Seinfeld today. Somehow, in Seinfeld’s calculus, those sorts o ..read more

(JTA) — Columbia University has rejected a demand to divest from Israel and has failed to reach an agreement with pro-Palestinian student protesters who are occupying a portion of the school’s New York City campus, according to a letter sent Monday morning to the community by President Minouche Shafik. “All year, we have sought to facilitate opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in constructive dialogue, and we have provided ample space for protests and vigils to take place peacefully and without disruptions to academic life,” Shafik said. “But we must take into account the righ ..read more

On May 4, 1970, four students were shot and killed on the Kent State University campus. They were shot by National Guardsmen who were called in by President Richard Nixon at the request of the academic institution, which wanted to control protests on campus as the uproar over the Vietnam War escalated. Kent State transformed my life. I went from being an apathetic spectator to an activist. As a third-year law student, I was asked to draft and present a strike plan to the entire student body and faculty at Boston University School of Law. Graduation was canceled that year and many of us got inv ..read more

Arthur Jerold Bricker, April 27, 2024 Age 79; Born in St. Louis on October 6, 1944 to the late Lester and the late Ruth Bricker; beloved husband of Cassandra Levin Bricker; dear father and father-in-law of Rick Bricker (Denise) and Scott Bricker (Dena); dear grandfather of the late James Bricker, Ashley Meadows (Mark), Justin Bricker (Ellen Araujo), Josh Bricker (Kassey), and Hanna Smith; dear great-grandfather of Kiley Bricker, Jax Litaker, Leo Meadows, and Axle Corzine; dear brother of Eddie Bricker (Arlene), Sandy Schwartz (Paul) and James Bricker (Shelly); dear brother-in-law of Cindy Pea ..read more

Jazz is a truly original American genre of music. Then there is “Laz Jazz,” which is unique to St. Louis, and created by the Brothers Lazaroff and inspired by Americana, rock, jazz and soul. The Jewish duo is bringing back their Laz Jazz Fest for a second year on Saturday, June 29 at The Big Top in the Grand Center Arts District. Laz Jazz Fest is a small-scale version of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival currently in progress in the Crescent City. Like the New Orleans Jazzfest, Laz Jazz Fest will offer unique food and incorporate multiple stages. In addition to the Brothers Lazaroff B ..read more

(JTA) — Hamas released its second hostage proof of life video in a week, this time featuring Omri Miran and Keith Siegel, as pressure mounts on the terrorist group to accede to the terms of a ceasefire and hostage release. Siegel, 64, is one of several American-Israeli hostages among the 130 or so still held by Hamas. The families of Siegel and Miran, 47, said Saturday through a group representing the families of hostages that they did not oppose media posting and describing the 3.5 minute video. Both men appeal to Israel’s leaders to end the fighting. “There is at times a sense that things ar ..read more

Jack Bolozky, April 25, 2024 Beloved husband of the late Lillian “Bubbles” Bolozky.   Cherished father of Scott Bolozky (Mucki Judge) and Nancy Bolozky. Loving grandfather of Caitlyn Bolozky, great grandfather of Adelaide Garibay. Treasured brother of Carol (Marc) Marcovich. Dear stepbrother of the late Herschel (Margie) Price. Dear brother-in-law of Jerrold E. (Jayn Rosenfeld) Seigel. Beloved son of the late Nancy Blumenfeld and Ralph Bolozky. Our dear uncle, great uncle, cousin, and friend. Funeral service Sunday, April 28, 2024, 2:00pm at United Hebrew Congregation, 13788 Co ..read more