This week has been one filled with pain.

There are no words to describe the fear, horror, anger, sorrow, and anxiety that rushed through me as I turned on my phone after Shabbat and read of the news of the terror attack and hostage situation that unfolded at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, TX. While we are grateful that the hostages were all able to escape without physical injury, the emotional and spiritual toll that took on them and on our entire Jewish community will continue to be felt for years to come.

At the same time, there has been so much hope.

In the midst of all that was happening, my texts and email inboxes were overflowing with messages of love, solidarity, and support. Our interfaith partners have reaffirmed their partnership and continue to reach out to see what they can do to stand alongside us. Elected officials have publicly declared their commitment to fighting antisemitism in our region and in our world. We continue to connect with local government entities to present about antisemitism and help educate our wider world about the stereotypes that can so easily lead to the violence we witnessed this weekend. And, of course, our Student to Student program is stronger than ever before, putting faces to the stories and connecting with teens directly to combat antisemitism by dispelling misinformation about our Jewish community.

We will continue to fight hate in all the forms it might take, and we do so carried by the hope and love that surrounds us.

Praying for a Shabbat Shalom,

Executive Director

Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis

Include the hashtag #stlfightsantisemitism

JCRC's recent Council meeting admitted MaTovu and JStreet as council members. Discussion at the meeting prompted reflections on tolerance, divisiveness, and diversity. Two articles in the Jewish Light cover the meeting and offer perspective on the value of robust discussion and the importance of language when working toward peace.

However, the bill has stalled in the Senate despite having broad bipartisan support. Failing to advance this funding hurts Israel’s security and civilians on all sides of the conflict. In partnership with other national Jewish organizations, Jewish Federation of North America has called on Leaders Schumer and McConnell to pass the funding to replenish the Iron Dome supply as quickly as possible. Contact your Senator and tell them to support Iron Dome funding.

It's cold outside, but the STL Jewish community is helping our unhoused neighbors face the brutal temperatures. Thanks to our hardworking volunteers, the second donation drop-off of Winter Outreach was a success. David Rosenstock, Paul Stroble, Rabbi Randy Fleisher, Dan Haggerty, and Sharalyn Saks picked up 68 bags of donations from local Jewish organizations, stuffed them into their cars, and delivered them to State Rep. Kimberly Ann Collins, who will pass them all on to pop-up shelters in North St. Louis. There's still time to donate warm winter items - the final drop-off day will be February 15th.

Do you have extra coats, jackets, winter clothes, toiletries, blankets, pillows, hats scarves, gloves, or boots? Folks experiencing homelessness in St. Louis need help to stay warm this winter. Drop off new and gently used items at the following participating organizations and they will be donated to pop-up shelters throughout North St. Louis:

Mondays, January 10, 17, 24, 31

7 - 8:30pm | Virtual

Join the Archdiocesan Office of Racial Harmony for four sessions working through Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” one of the most important documents of the Civil Rights Era. Registration is required.