A menorah lighting on Dec. 2 celebrated both the fourth night of Hanukkah and called attention to the presence of antisemitism. The St. Louis Jewish community brought together faith leaders and state elected officials to speak out against hate during “Shine A Light on Antisemitism” at the Jewish Federation.

The threat of hate and violence is especially significant among Jews, said Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis during her opening remarks.

A traveling LGBTQ history exhibit will be available in St. Louis through early 2022 after its controversial removal from the Missouri Capitol in September.

Numerous businesses, individuals, and organizations banded together to support its display in the St. Louis community, including the Missouri Historical Society, the St. Louis LGBT History Project, and the St. Louis Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).

“It is essential that we learn from and honor the history and struggles of all peoples, and especially the LGBTQ+ community,” JCRC Executive Director Maharat Rori Picker Neiss said. “As we see from the work of displaying the exhibit, these struggles are far from over, and we all have a part to play in building a brighter, more welcoming future for all people.”

A new traveling exhibit about the struggles of the LGBTQ community in Missouri has opening in St. Louis, after it was controversially removed from the state's Capitol building two months ago.
"What a morning," says Rori Picker Neiss via Twitter. "Business, civic, and faith communities came together with vision from @charliekmox to bring @UMKCLibraries exhibit to St. Louis, starting at @CortexSTL and with interactive St Louis interactive exhibit courtesy of @mohistorymuseum. Check it out and be inspired."