I feel grateful to have served on the Ohr Chadash staff as a writer, editor-in-chief and, finally, contributing editor. I looked forward to each meeting, learned from my fellow staff members and interviewees, gained an understanding of the vibrancy of the St. Louis Jewish community and developed my writing skills. I will always think fondly of my years on the Ohr Chadash staff, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for the page.

Next year, I will attend Vanderbilt University in the College of Arts and Science. There, I hope to continue my involvement with journalism, and I know that my experiences at Ohr Chadash have equipped me well.

Thank you to Ohr Chadash co-chairs Caroline Goldenberg and Lauren Sagel, who have provided me with support and advice over the past several years and to Jessica Goldberg, my co-editor-in-chief, whose friendship I will always cherish. Finally, thank you to the page writers and other staff members, and to everyone else who has supported Ohr Chadash. 

— Lily Hauptman, Senior, Laude Horton Watkins High School

I have had an incredible experience as part of the Ohr Chadash teen page for the past three years. I have learned so much in my roles as a writer and as a Managing Editor, and I feel so lucky to have had the chance to work with such a great group of people. 

It is hard to believe how fast the last three years have flown by, but I am so thankful for every memorable meeting, every new person I met and every opportunity that Ohr Chadash has given me. Ohr Chadash has allowed me to grow as a journalist and as a leader, and I am so grateful that I have had the chance to be a part of it. 

Next year I will be attending the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I have been directly admitted to the School of Journalism and the Honors College. I am very excited to be continuing journalism, and I feel that the teen page has really helped to prepare me for my future endeavors. 

Thank you to all of the editors, writers and adult mentors who I have had the pleasure of working with over the past few years. You have all shaped my experience for the better, and I wish next year’s staff the best of luck! 

— Megan Rubenstein, Senior, Parkway North High School

It’s been an honor serve this incredible readership, publishing pieces which enlighten and teach. Over the course of my time at Ohr Chadash, I’ve edited countless stories, led meetings, and shared anecdotes over cookie cake.

And I’ve learned integral lessons about my Jewish identity. I’ve applied the concept of tikkun olam to a personal context and discovered the true meaning of the holiday of Purim. Now, I’m off to Northwestern University in Chicago, to double-major in journalism and political science. I’ll be a proud member of my school’s Hillel and write for the Daily Northwestern, putting to work that same passion I showcased at Ohr Chadash over the years.

I want to extend an endless array of thank yous to all those who have helped our staff push out quality journalistic pieces. To Caroline Goldenberg, Lauren Sagel, Mike Sherwin and Ellen Futterman, your guidance has helped each of us grow immensely. I also want to thank my co-editor-in-chief Anya Tullman, whose presence and timeliness steered our ship to publication each issue. To everyone else on staff, leaving or returning, I’ll see you guys in the Washington Post.

— Greg Svirnovskiy, Senior, Marquette High School