Q&A with Jewish storyteller and musician Alicia Jo Rabins See page 11
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Bravo! New Jewish Theatre’s 2023 plays earn 24 St. Louis theater award nominations JORDAN PALMER CHIEF DIGITAL CONTENT OFFICER
The St. Louis Theatre Circle announced their 2024 nominations on Friday and the New Jewish Theatre’s production of “Into the Woods” was among the top local productions with 11 nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Musical. In total, performances by NJT during 2023 earned 24 nominations. “I am blown away to see New Jewish Theatre’s productions and artists be honored with so many nominations from the See NJT on page 7
Scenes from New Jewish Theatre’s production of ‘Into the Woods,’ which earned 11 Theatre Circle award nominations. PHOTOS: JON GITCHOFF
Pro-Israel resolution’s hearing at Missouri Capitol draws strong turnout from Jewish students STORY AND PHOTOS BY BILL MOTCHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH LIGHT
JEFFERSON CITY — A Missouri House of Representatives committee on Feb. 6 held a hearing on a pro-Israel resolution. Nearly 120 supporters of the resolution attended the hearing, including 100 students from Epstein Hebrew Academy and Torah Prep. The resolution, known as HCR30, expresses support for Israel and recognizes its special relationship with the United States. It was introduced by Rep. Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis County, who is also speaker of the house. Plocher began by Jewish day school students from St. Louis traveled to Jefferson City to show their support during a hearing for a pro-Israel resolution.
Jewish Federation President and CEO Brian Herstig (left) and Coalition for Jewish Values Chairman Rabbi Ze’ev Smason spoke in support of the pro-Israel resolution.
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introducing the resolution and stating that “Missouri’s ties to Israel go back a long time and I’m proud of that.” During the hearing, the Special Committee on Public Policy offered citizens the opportunity to share testimony, alternating pro and against the resolution. The first witness to speak was Jill Noble, a resident of Clay County, who noted that the Israeli flag was first flown at the 1904 World’s Fair.
Brian Herstig, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, offered testimony and said, “Over 70 Missouri companies have benefitted from doing business in Israel. Thank you for reaffirming the special relationship between Missouri and Israel.” Unlike bills, resolutions are not laws. They are expressions of the sentiments of lawmakers and must be passed by both the house and the senate. There are currently 44 co-sponsors of the resolution.
The hearing before the public policy committee was one step toward the final adoption of the resolution. The wording of the resolution was the result of collaboration between Plocher, the resolution sponsor, and Rabbi Ze’ev Smason, chairman of Coalition for Jewish Values in Missouri. Prior to the hearing, Smason noted that the show of support by the Jewish day school students was “a very powerful statement.”
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