On Sept. 1, the St. Louis Jewish Light welcomed Bethe Growe as President of the organization’s Board of Trustees at its annual meeting. Growe succeeds Laura K. Silver, who will remain on the Light’s executive board as immediate past president.

“The Light has been with us for decades and we have come to rely on and treasure our award-winning newspaper,” said Growe. “I am honored by the board’s confidence in me to lead the organization as we strive to find new and effective ways to expand our reach and communicate with our community both in print and digitally.”

The Light’s Chief Executive Officer Betsy Schmidt added: This is an incredible time of growth for the Light where we are reaching more Jews of all ages in St. Louis. I couldn’t be luckier to have such a smart and dedicated Board to help realize all of our plans.”

Other 2021-2023 executive board officers are Vice Presidents Ben Weiss, Laurie Chod and Alice Handelman; Treasurer Justin Krachmalnick and Secretary Stacy Wolff Smart.

Returning to the Light’s board are Richard Flom, Judy Kaplan, Debra Klevens, Mia Kweskin, Lauren Murov, Ryan Rich, Steve Rosenzweig, Jenn Sagett, Bruce Sandweiss, Adam Schneider, Helene Sherman, Joan Silber and Tony Westbrook, Jr.

The Light extended gratitude to departing board members Mueriel Carp, Suzanne Epstein-Lang, Steve Gallant (a former Board president), Jeff Golden, Bill Hoffman and Matthew Litwack for their service and commitment. Schmidt noted that each was instrumental in helping the Light to fulfill its mission to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

Six new board members will be taking their places, and now is a chance to meet each, as well as learn more about Growe.

JEWISH LIGHT BOARD & OFFICERS: 

President:  Bethe Growe

Immediate Past President:  Laura K. Silver

VP:  Ben Weiss

VP:  Laurie Chod

VP:  Alice Handelman

Treasurer:  Justin Krachmalnick

Secretary: Stacy Wolff Smart

Returning Board Members: Richard Flom, Judy Kaplan, Debra Klevens, Mia Kweskin, Lauren Murov, Ryan Rich, Steve Rosenzweig, Jenn Sagett, Bruce Sandweiss, Adam Schneider, Helene Sherman, Joan Silber and Tony Westbrook, Jr. 

New Board Members: Dan Bindler, Jerry Ehrlich, Beth Manlin, Angela Sandler, Alan Spector and Dan Winograd

Outgoing Board Members: Mueriel Carp, Suzanne Epstein-Lang, Steve Gallant, Jeff Golden, Bill Hoffman and Matt Litwack