Anti-Semitism

Members of the Patriot Front, a group that the Southern Poverty Law Center classifies as a white nationalist hate group, march down South Michigan Avenue in January 2022 along the Loop in Chicago as anti-abortion activists march across the street during a March for Life rally.

Racist propaganda, antisemitic acts spiked in Illinois last year, report shows

Tom Schuba

“In some ways, we think that we live in Illinois and somehow we’re immune to this,” said David Goldenberg, the Midwest director of the Anti-Defamation League that issued the “Hate in the Prairie State” report.

St. Louis Feldman Kaplan Holocaust Museum's new facility is under construction now in Creve Coeur. A $1 million donation from the Tilles Foundation will fund an impact lab.

Arts

St. Louis Holocaust Museum gets $1 million to teach people to speak out against bigotry

Jeremy D. Goodwin

The contribution by the Tilles Foundation will fund an impact lab devoted to helping people respond in practical ways to bigotry and hate.

Karen Uban, vice president of the United Hebrew Temple in Benton, Illinois stands by the stained glass windows that were damaged by vandals.

Government, Politics & Issues

‘Hitler Was Right,’ Mary Miller Said. Months Later, Illinois Jewish Leaders Say Pain Remains

Kelsey Landis

Jews in southern Illinois fear the congresswoman’s anti-Semitic comments will lead to more prejudice against the religious minority, which has always been an undercurrent in the region.

Karen Aroesty is the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.

Government, Politics & Issues

St. Louis Anti-Defamation League Leader Says Hate Speech Helped Fuel Capitol Riot

Eric Schmid

Years of unchecked rhetoric from President Donald Trump provided the seeds for violence at the U.S. Capitol, said Karen Aroesty, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League's Heartland office in St. Louis.

Visitors walk through Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery Tuesday morning to check on the graves of their loved ones. (Feb. 21, 2017)

Government, Politics & Issues

Man Gets Probation In University City Jewish Cemetery Vandalization

Chad Davis

A man who confessed to damaging more than 100 headstones at a Jewish cemetery has been sentenced to three years’ probation.Alzado M. Harris, 35, of St.…

J. Samuel Davis plays Antoine in New Jewish Theatre's production of "District Merchants." 1/24/19

Arts

Reconstructed Shakespeare Shows Bigotry Is Timeless

Jeremy D. Goodwin

In a heated conversation during the first act of “District Merchants,” a white immigrant tells a black man that he understands the other’s plight: “I know…

Rabbi Amy Feder (left) and Karen Aroesty (right) discussed the local Jewish community's reaction to the tragic event in Pittsburgh at the Tree of Life synagogue.

Government, Politics & Issues

Behind the Headlines: St. Louis Jewish leaders react to Pittsburgh synagogue shooting

Lara Hamdan

On Friday’s St. Louis on the Air, host Don Marsh went behind the headlines to discuss the local Jewish community’s reaction to last weekend’s tragic event…

Three people were shot and killed outside the Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City and Village Shalom in 2014.

In The Wake Of Attacks, Jewish Communities Balance Accessibility With Security

Adhiti Bandlamudi, Chris Haxel

After a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday, killing at least 11 and wounding others in what federal prosecutors are calling a hate crime, faith leaders around the country are re-examining security tactics while trying to ensure their religious institutions remain accessible community centers.