The award-winning Ohr Chadash Teen Page of the St. Louis Jewish Light is calling for applications from high school students for the 2013-2014 staff.   Positions to be filled include writers, editors, photographers, online editor, graphic artists and more. If you or someone you know might be interested, please go to www.stljewishlight.com/apply to fill out an application.

Ohr Chadash, which literally means “New Light,” offers “teen news by teen Jews,” is written, edited, and produced by Jewish teens in grades nine through 12.   The inaugural year of Ohr Chadash received an Education and Journalism award from the National Newspaper Association.  The teen staff produces a two-page section once a month from September to May.   Ohr Chadash also maintains a website, www.stljewishlight.com/teen, so readers can view past articles and submit their own ideas for stories. 

“We look for bright, talented high school students who can make a commitment to monthly meetings and have a strong interest or experience in journalism or writing,” said Jewish Light Board member and Teen Page Co-Chair Peggy Kaplan. “We are very proud of the tremendous effort by our teen staff to produce such a fabulous monthly feature, making our community paper relevant to the youth of St. Louis.”

Mia Kweskin joined the teen page staff three years ago as a staff writer and now serves as the Executive Editor of Ohr Chadash.  She encourages any high school students with an interest in writing, photography, newspaper design or editing to submit an application.  

“I never imagined how much I would take away from the experience,” she said. “Besides working with a group of very talented Jewish teens, I have had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of interviewing, writing and editing and gained the experience of working at a professional newspaper,” she said.

The Teen Page’s diverse group of editors and staff members represent many St. Louis area high schools, currently including John Burroughs, Clayton, Ladue, Lafayette, Parkway Central and Parkway North. 

Co-Chairs for the 2013-2014 Ohr Chadash will be Kaplan and Caroline Goldenberg.  Ohr Chadash receives generous funding from Michael and Carol Staenberg and the Staenberg Family Foundation, the Kranzberg Family Foundation and the St. Louis Jewish Light Publisher’s Society. 

For more information regarding the staff or the application process, please contact Mike Sherwin, Managing Editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light at 314.743.3665 or [email protected].