Source: STL Jewish Light
A group of Jewish St. Louisans sent an in-person message to Missouri lawmakers that they need more protection from antisemitic acts. The 50-person delegation visited the state capitol on Jan. 21 for Jewish Advocacy Day.
The initiative was planned by a variety of Jewish community groups: the American Jewish Committee (AJC) STL, Anti-Defamation League Heartland, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Federation of St. Louis, National Council of Jewish Women St. Louis, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and Jewish Community Relations Bureau AJC Kansas City.
The group, which included 10 teenagers, asked members of the Missouri legislature to prioritize non-profit security funding to safeguard Jewish synagogues and facilities in the state. They were prepared with information and data. A key point, the team explained, was that in the one-year period following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, more than 2,000 antisemitic incidents targeted Jewish institutions.
During Missouri Jewish Advocacy Day, local advocates spoke to a number of state representatives, members of congress and aides. They talked about the impact of antisemitism on their families and the importance of safety. The primary request was to approve funding for the Missouri Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).
The NSGP provides federal funding for high-risk nonprofit organizations, including churches, synagogues and mosques. It helps ease the burden of the cost of physical security protection (like bullet-proof glass and bollards). This marks the third year for the Jewish Advocacy Day trip to Jefferson City. One first-time participant was Cathy Goldsticker, who said afterwards she was proud of the team’s efforts.
“I thought it was educational, and I think it was worthwhile,” said Goldsticker, a member of Temple Israel. “I feel really good being Jewish, and I liked the warm reception we got from the senators or their assistants and their chiefs of staff and the representatives. It was all very positive.”
Another first-time participant was Julia Frank Hundman, a retired teacher and 2025 recipient of the NCJW STL community impact award.
“There are so many ways that an average, basic citizen can get their voice out there,” Hundman said. “I think it’s imperative that you know your representatives, know your senators, that you speak when you disagree agree with them and speak when you agree with them.”
Hundman said lawmakers pay attention when constituents show up to speak out on issues. The younger members of the delegation also made their voices heard during the trip. Olivia Stobie, 13, a sixth-grade student at Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, was glad to be a part of the trip.
“I found it really interesting and I got to kind of see what people at the state capitol do,” Stobie said. “I thought it was a wonderful experience.”
Amanda Arst, 17, a senior at Parkway Central High School, said she was eager to participate.
“I think it’s important that you start young caring about politics and speaking out against policies and issues that you care deeply about,” Arst said. “This was a way for me to do something small that could make a difference. I thought it was really cool just being able to talk to my legislators and the people that my parents and my grandparents voted for.”
Arst said she feels fortunate to attend a school that has been diligent about combating antisemitism. The experience of Jewish Advocacy Day motivated her to continue supporting protection for Jewish students.
“It does definitely make me want to speak out against things that I care deeply about,” she said. “It is important to me, with the rise of antisemitism, to be doing this kind of work.”