Milton Movitz, serving his second year as president of the St. Louis Jewish Light Board of Trustees, offered remarks on “The State of the Jewish Light” at the newspaper’s annual meeting which was attended by 40 people last week in the Zorensky Family Board Room of the Jewish Federation Kopolow Building. New officers and board members were also installed at the meeting by David Grebler, immediate past president of the Jewish Light and chair of its nominating committee.

“We have had many challenges and opportunities at the Jewish Light in recent months, and we are moving forward in a very positive manner,” said Movitz, in his remarks.

The Light has been engaged in a search for a new publisher since Andrew Polin, chief executive officer of the Light, resigned his position two months ago to pursue a business opportunity out of town. A search committee, chaired by board member Gianna Jacobson, has been interviewing candidates for the position of publisher. In the meantime, Movitz has been serving as acting CEO of the paper, with the consultative assistance of Robert A. Cohn, editor-in-chief emeritus.

Among other accomplishments in recent months, Movitz also mentioned, “We are now distributing free newspapers in newstands at five locations. Patron subscription envelopes will be inserted into these issues for the next four weeks. Judy Pass, the development chair, has been busy working on fundraising; 2007 saw the first phone-a-thon. Our 2008 phone-a-thon is scheduled for Sept. 23 and 24 and is being chaired by Jack Cohen.

“This year, the Publisher’s Society was established, and was quite successful. We enrolled 12 charter members; the first annual event was hosted at my home, and the 2008 event is scheduled to be held at the home of Gianna Jacobson and Todd Siwak.

“The strategic planning committee under the direction of Jane Tzinberg Rubin completed the first phase of the plan and presented it to the board. She will be working with her committee on implementing the Strategic Plan, both long and short term goals.”

David Grebler, chair of the Nominating Committee, installed the officers and board members for the coming year, along with the existing officers. Those installed were:

Officers: Milton Movitz, President; Gary Kodner, Jenny Wolkowitz and Gianna Jacobson, vice presidents; Diane Gallant, secretary; Cynthia Kramer, treasurer and David Grebler, immediate past president.

Board members: Lew Chartock, Jack Cohen, Kristi Meyers Gallup, Rabbi Daniel Plotkin, Mimi Pultman, Rebbetzin Paula Rivkin, Susie Zimmerman, Harvey Greenstein, Kenneth Ludmerer, M.D., Carl Moskowitz, Rabbi Carnie Rose (B’nai Amoona), Sheri Sherman and Michael Staenberg.

Movitz announced the committee chairs for 2008-2009, as follows: Gianna Jacobson, Editorial Chair; Gary Kodner, Marketing Chair; Jenny Wolkowitz, Co-chair of the Teen Page with Mimi Pultman; Paul Gallant, Business Chair; Judy Pass, Development Chair; John Greenberg and Barbara Rubin, Personnel Chairs; Jane Tzinberg Rubin, Strategic Planning Chair; Daniel Rubenstein, Computer Committee Chair, and David Grebler, Nominating Committee Chair.

Sheila Greenbaum, president of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis offered warm greetings, taking note of the “vital role of the Jewish Light in our community” and of the constructive meetings she has had with Movitz on issues of mutual concern.