This month the St. Louis Jewish Light kicks off its 2008 Patron Campaign.

“Our goal is to help friends and supporters understand that Patron contributions are vital to the financial viability of the Jewish Light,” said Judy Pass, Light board member and chair of its Development Committee.

Pass said each patron donation helps keep the Jewish Light focused on its overall mission. “Gifts to the 2008 Patron Campaign allow us to support the mission of the Jewish Light, which is to inform, inspire and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.”

“The Light promotes all the Jewish organizations and synagogues who do important work and deeds in the Jewish community. Whether your interest is news and analysis about Israel, or pictures of your child’s Day School graduation, or articles about the Jewish Film Festival or Kaleidoscope Israel, the Light’s coverage is local, national and international,” she said.

Pass said patron donations are an important part of the Jewish Light’s financial stability. The Jewish Light depends on advertising revenue, Jewish Federation allocation and patron donations to cover its expenses. It costs the Jewish Light approximately $28 a year to mail the paper to one reader.

“We need our patron campaign to help support our mission,” said Milton Movitz, president of the Jewish Light’s Board of Trustees.

In 2007, in addition to its Patron Campaign, the Jewish Light introduced the Publisher’s Society — donors who gave $500 or more. The board hopes to build on the success of the Society’s inaugural year.

“Our Publisher’s Society helped sponsor special issues in the Jewish Light, including the recent “Building Bridges: Creating Connections Between Faiths and Races,” “Photos of the Jewish” and the “Israel at 60″ section,” Movitz said.

All members of the Publisher’s Society will be invited to a special thank-you cocktail party in the fall.

Pass said the needs the Jewish Light are even greater in 2008. “Because of the recent increase in the cost of newsprint, the staff of the Light has been vigilant about holding other costs in check.”

Donations to the Jewish Light, a non-profit organization, are tax-deductible. Donors are recognized in regular thank-you ads that appear throughout the year in the Jewish Light.

“If you haven’t already made your contribution to the 2008 campaign, I hope you will make your donation today!” Pass said.

Patron donor cards will be sent out to readers of the Jewish Light. If you have not received a patron mailer, you can make a donation online at the St. Louis Jewish Light’s Web site: www.stljewishlight.com or contact the newspaper at 314-743-3660 to request a patron card.