Oct 3, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Shabbat Shalom, We enter this Shabbat in the shadow of the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe. Rosh Hashana opened the gates of possibility, a reminder that the world can begin anew, that we are not trapped by the past. Kol Nidre called upon us to reflect on our promises...
Sep 19, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, As we welcome 5786, I find myself returning to words of one of the most famous Jewish song writers of the 20th century, Irving Berlin. “When I am tired and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep, and I fall asleep counting my blessings.” ...
Sep 5, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, As we prepare to welcome Shabbat, I find myself reflecting on the sacred responsibility we all share in sustaining Jewish life here in St. Louis. Federation is proud to play an important role in this journey, as our team works week after week, year...
Aug 22, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, This summer has been heavy on our hearts. The pain and uncertainty of war, the increasing threats of antisemitism nationally and even here in St. Louis, and the weight of living in a world filled with constant change have left many of us feeling...
Aug 8, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, As Jews, we are no strangers to adversity. In Parashat Shoftim, we are reminded: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” “Justice, justice you shall pursue.” This is not a passive command. It is a charge to act boldly and with integrity in the face of injustice. We are...
Jul 25, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, As we enter this Shabbat, I’ve been reflecting on the powerful Talmudic phrase: Elu V’Elu Divrei Elokim Chayim “These and those are the words of the living God.” This concept—that multiple, even opposing, truths can coexist—feels especially relevant...
Jul 11, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, This week we read Parashat Balak, the story of a Moabite king who hires the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. Yet when Balaam opens his mouth, he cannot curse them. Instead, he offers one of our most beautiful blessings: “Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov,...
Jun 20, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Shabbat Shalom, With war raging on multiple fronts, like many of you, I find myself glued to the news more than usual. Media broadcasts play constantly in my office and at home, updates are coming in from colleagues overseas, and the i24 app pings my phone with...
Jun 6, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Shabbat Shalom, We enter Shabbat heartbroken and outraged. This week, a peaceful demonstration in Boulder, Colorado—held in support of the hostages still held by Hamas—was violently disrupted by a terror attack. The pain and fear reverberating through our community...
May 23, 2025 | From the Desk of Danny Cohn
Dear Friends, As we prepare to welcome Shabbat, we come to the end of a challenging week for our St. Louis community and our global Jewish family. Our thoughts continue to be with those impacted by last week’s tornado and storms. The Jewish Federation of St. Louis is...
