The St. Louis Jewish Light is pleased to announce that businessman and philanthropist Michael Staenberg will become the next President of the Board of Trustees, effective Aug. 30, for a two-year term. He succeeds Bethe Growe, who will remain on the Executive Board for the next year as immediate Past President.

With a deep and enduring commitment to the St. Louis Jewish community and keen business acumen, Staenberg is poised to lead the Jewish Light into a new era of growth, innovation and financial sustainability. He brings decades of experience to the role, having served in various leadership capacities at the Jewish Community Center (past chairman), Regional Business Council, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, Forest Park Forever (fundraising chair), St. Louis Variety Club, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum and Epstein Hebrew Academy, among others.

“I believe there are three vital components to building and maintaining a vibrant local Jewish community,” said Staenberg. “You need a strong Jewish Federation, you need a strong Jewish Community Center and you need a strong Jewish news operation, both print and digitally, to connect the community and to promote it.”

Staenberg will work closely with Light CEO Betsy Schmidt and the rest of its dedicated staff and board members to ensure the print publication and digital newsletters remain a robust source of information, inspiration and connection for the St. Louis Jewish community and beyond. 

“We are very grateful that Michael volunteered to be President of our Board,” said Schmidt. “His vision and leadership are particularly needed during this difficult time in our industry.” 

Schmidt also expressed gratitude to outgoing President Bethe Growe for her dedicated service and leadership the past two years. She took the helm during COVID – which led to a substantial decrease in media advertising — yet under her stewardship, the Jewish Light significantly increased the circulation of its digital weekday newsletter, Morning Light; added several new newsletters, including a bi-monthly one focused on Israel; and championed a strategic plan to help guide the non-profit Light into the future.

In addition to Staenberg and Growe, other members of the Light’s Executive Board are Kara Newmark (vice president), Ryan Rich (vice president), Justin Krachmalnick (treasurer) and Todd Taylor (secretary). Remaining board members are: Carolyn Goldenberg, Mia Kweskin, Debbie Lefton, Steve Rosenzweig, Adam Schneider and Alan Spector.

The Light also thanks outgoing Trustees for their guidance and counsel. They are: Dan Bindler, Laurie Chod, Jerry Ehrlich, Richard Flom, Mark Gershenson, Debra Klevens, Beth Manlin, Lauren Murov, Bruce Sandweiss, Joan Silber, Laura Silver (past president), Ben Weiss and Dan Winograd. You can make a tribute to these dedicated volunteers for their service online. 

Staenberg will be officially installed as Board President at the Light’s annual meeting Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the Gallery at the District in Chesterfield from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to this free event, but RSVPs are requested at [email protected] or by calling Terri Green at 314-743-3600.

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