Bill Motchan

Missouri

Contributor at St. Louis Jewish Light

Staff Writer and Photographer at Freelance

Writer, photographer, golfer. Staff to house panther Hobbes.

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Articles

“It’s a solid F+” — reporter slams media for failing Israel, ahead of St. Louis visit - St. Louis Jewish Light

1 week ago | stljewishlight.org | Bill Motchan

A veteran journalist who covered the Middle East for the Associated Press for years now claims AP and other news outlets engage in ongoing media bias against Israel. Mark Lavie, who also worked for NPR, NBC and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, will visit St. Louis for a May 13 presentation at the Jewish Federation. Lavie recently told the Jewish Light he grades media coverage of Israel a solid F+.
100 and still working, Columbus man radiates joy

1 week ago | columbusjewishnews.com | Bill Motchan

Stanley Maybruck took a day off work for his birthday on May 2, but he came back at it a few days later. Maybruck is a car buyer who attends auto auctions every week and acquires vehicles for dealers. At age 100, it’s a good bet he’s the oldest member of the profession. Yet – he shows no sign of slowing down. “I like the excitement of competing against other buyers,” Maybruck told the Columbus Jewish News.
Lifestyle choices can help keep memory exercised, functioning

1 week ago | stljewishlight.org | Bill Motchan

If you periodically misplace your car keys but can have no problem calling up random bits of trivia, that is one of the nuances of your hippocampus. Located deep within the temporal lobe, it is the part of the brain that handles memory. It holds short-term memories and transfers them to long-term storage. Long-term memories are hard-wired into the brain, like a computer backup. Information stored in the short-term memory is trickier.
Hot rods and heart: Jewish car lovers rev up memories and medals in Chesterfield

1 week ago | stljewishlight.org | Bill Motchan

The phrase “active aging” didn’t just apply to the competitors in the 2025 St. Louis Senior Olympics. During the opening ceremonies at The Hub STL at The District in Chesterfield on Sunday, May 4, a special exhibition featured vintage cars. Two of those cars owned by Jewish St. Louisans won medals. Second place went to a 1929 Pontiac two-door sedan owned by Tab Cohen. The blue coupe has been in his Cohen’s family since 1965, but he’s only owned it for the past four years.
St. Louis-area lacrosse player checks another box: Team Israel

1 week ago | jns.org | Bill Motchan

(May 5, 2025 / JNS)When an opposing goalie sees Yael Sabin approaching, it’s usually too late to react. The Jewish star midfielder for the Ladue High School Rams in suburban St. Louis will seize the opportunity to score yet another goal. Sabin, 18, has already amassed an impressive set of stats. She is the scoring leader for the 8-3 varsity girls’ lacrosse team with 46 goals and 11 assists. She currently ranks in eighth place among all metro-area high school lacrosse players in goals.
New JCRC leader addresses antisemitism in Affton and outlines bold vision for community ties

1 week ago | stljewishlight.org | Bill Motchan

David Cohen, who assumed the role executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of St. Louis, officially stepped into his new position on March 31 and he has already become fully engaged in the St. Louis Jewish community. Cohen is a native of Boston and a graduate of Brandeis University. He earned a Master of Arts degree in political history from Boston University and a master’s in Jewish education and organizational leadership from Hebrew Union College.
Ladue lacrosse standout Yael Sabin to join Team Israel after record-breaking high school career

1 week ago | stljewishlight.org | Bill Motchan

When an opposing goalie sees Yael Sabin approaching, it’s usually too late to react. The Jewish star midfielder for the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Rams will seize the opportunity to score yet another goal. Sabin, 18, has already amassed an impressive set of stats. She is the scoring leader for the 8-3 varsity girl’s lacrosse team with 46 goals and 11 assists. She currently ranks in 8th place among all St. Louis high school lacrosse players in goals.
Tamar Brecher and Robin McCann | Luster

1 week ago | clevelandjewishnews.com | Bill Motchan

When Tamar Brecher and Robin McCann started planning their gift boutique, they brainstormed dozens of possible names. Before they chose Luster, one of the ideas on a white board was “Something Awesome.”The two friends laugh about it now, but they both admit the growth of Luster has been nothing short of awesome since it opened in 2014 at Van Aken District in Shaker Heights. In fact, they’re in the final stages of an expansion that will increase the store’s size by one-third.
Generational living ensures longevity of causes

2 weeks ago | columbusjewishnews.com | Bill Motchan

Many nonprofit organizations would face a financial dilemma without the generosity of donor support. Philanthropy is the lifeblood of these organizations, but those funds are never guaranteed. They can fluctuate from year to year, which is why multigenerational giving is an important and predictable source of giving.
St. Louis community gathers to honor Israel’s fallen

2 weeks ago | stljewishlight.org | Bill Motchan

A solemn gathering of 300 community members commemorated Yom Hazikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) at the JCC on Tuesday evening, April 29. The ceremony consisted of readings and poems in Hebrew and English, a torch lighting, and a one-minute siren. The event in communities around the world honors soldiers and victims who gave their lives to protect Israel. Musical interludes were provided by soloists, the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School choir and the Shevel Keshet (Israel Scouts).