Joshua L. Schonfeld

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Nov 20, 2024, 8:13 AM

Sunday, after a cool, cloudy autumn day in St. Louis, the sun peaked out—just as sunset approached. As a result, it was a somewhat muted golden hour, highlighting many of the fall colors all around us. Red, yellow and...

Apr 15, 2024, 7:59 AM

Reflections on Ahavat Yisrael–April 2024

People who know me well are aware that my connection to Israel and to my Israeli family and friends is very personal. The Jewish value of Ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel) was fostered by my parents and my grandparents...

Jul 6, 2023, 11:15 PM

Memories of 1967 and 1968

Over the past several years, especially since my Mom’s passing, I have had much time to reflect. During those moments, my thoughts often wend their way back to two life-changing journeys taken in 1967 and 1968. My fond memories...

Apr 29, 2021, 7:50 AM

On Lag B’omer, Yarhzeit and New Beginnings

Lag B’omer is the date of my father’s, Gustav Schonfeld’s, yahrzeit. It is now a decade since he has passed and since I have felt his warm embrace or heard his voice. I have missed him so often these...

May 24, 2020, 11:02 PM

On praying alone

In the midst of this awful pandemic, our communal life has been disrupted and we are shut in our homes—except for the occasional run to the pharmacy or to the grocery store to pick up food. That said, with...

Aug 5, 2019, 9:34 PM

Some notes from Israel — summer 2019

As we just returned from our visit to Israel, I thought I would share some thoughts jotted down while we were on our journey... I cannot help but notice that I am always surprised and amazed by certain aspects of...

May 15, 2019, 4:13 PM

Memory Versus History

Recently, as I prepared for Passover, I read a post by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in which he discusses the difference between memory and history. History, he explains, is when we learn about past events we may or may not...

Apr 18, 2018, 5:05 AM

We have much to celebrate and be proud of!

As our community celebrates Yom Haatzmaut, we rejoice in the 70 year anniversary of the re-establishment of the Jewish State—the State of Israel. On the day before Yom Haatzmaut, we remember all those who gave their lives to defend the...

Dec 15, 2016, 7:09 AM

As we approach the 100-year anniversary of the US entrance into WWI and the Balfour Declaration, I keep thinking of Abraham and Sophie Steinberg. There are very few people left who actually knew my Grandpa Abe and Grandma Sophie --...

Apr 15, 2016, 6:37 AM

Passover 2011 — The Gift

About 5 years ago, in late February 2011, during one of our almost daily conversations, my father told me that at some point (in the 1970s) his father told him that it was time for my father to take...

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About Me

Josh Schonfeld lives with his family in Potomac, Maryland. He is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He has served as a board member for a number of Jewish communal organizations and is an active member of the community.