Happy New Year. I know we celebrate the Jewish New Year in the fall, but I like that there are two occasions during the year to make resolutions and begin anew, in case the first time around doesn’t take.

January is also a good time to implement changes in the workplace. You know, fresh starts, new projects.

The first one at the Jewish Light has to do with weddings and engagement announcements. It seems most couples have interesting stories to tell about the way in which they met, fell in love and proposed. So rather than just providing us with the bare-bones, we are now asking couples who plan to publicize their weddings and engagements in the Light, to share their “how we met and fell in love” story. On forms available from the paper, either online at www.stljewishlight.com or printed and mailed, couples can sketch out the preliminaries. If the story sounds like a good fit for the paper, we’ll follow up with a phone interview for further details.

The second “new big thing” we are adding is a twice monthly photo essay by award-winning local photographer Mike DeFilippo. You might remember Mike from his days at the Riverfront Times when he championed a photo feature called “The Big Picture.” Mike’s charge at the Light will be chronicling rites of passages as they apply to the Jewish community. So to help usher in this new feature, we are asking local parents whose children were born in 2011, to call 314-743-3669 or email [email protected] with the exact time (and date) of birth so we can determine who is the first and then, with the parent’s permission, snap some pictures of the cutie.

I’ll keep you apprised of other new changes as the year progresses, and as always, I look forward to your feedback and suggestions. Again, a healthy and happy New Year to all.

Awards announced for ‘Lighten Up’ weight loss challenge

Last week, we outlined the “Lighten Up Weight Loss Challenge,” the eight-week “Biggest Loser”-style weight lost contest sponsored by the JCC and the Jewish Light. What we didn’t tell you about are the prizes for the team that sheds the largest total percentage of weight and the individual winner who does the same.

The team prize includes a Cardinal experience for four (on field VIP pass with good seating), three personal training sessions each, $50 J Gift card each and an article in the Light.

The individual prize includes a Westin Hotel stay, dinner for two, three personal training sessions, $50 J Gift Card and an article in Light.

If you haven’t already signed up, you must do so by Monday, Jan. 10. The actual challenge starts a week later on Jan. 17. For all the details, go to www.stljewishlight.com or contact Challenge Leader Kay Hughes at 314-442-3176 or [email protected].