As 2018 comes to a close, I want to thank our readers, advertisers and donors for a year unlike any other in our history. That may sound like a very bold claim, but the culmination of many factors made it so. 

I’d like to begin however, with an end-of-year appeal: You’re reading our paper at this moment because the content has value to you. Reflect on what our weekly newspaper means to you and consider a tax-deductible gift to the Jewish Light in the amount of your choosing (checks can be mailed to 6 Millstone Campus Drive, Suite 3010, 63146 or at stljewislight.com/donate). Expansive reporting and circulation growth both have real costs. Thank you for helping to keep the Light shining bright. 

Now for some 2018 highlights.

Status Matters

Each year the newspaper industry shrinks a bit more and many papers not closing their doors are being swallowed by larger (and sometimes non-news) entities. You may not realize that the Jewish Light remains one of only a few independent and non-profit newspapers operating in St. Louis. As a record-keeper for our Jewish community, we are proud of our independent status because it allows us to remain on a clear course: decisions about content, circulation and community partnerships are made right here in our office. 

Reporting Matters 

In June of this year, the Jewish Light was honored with five Rockower Awards for excellence in Jewish journalism, selected and celebrated by national critics. In the past 10 years, the paper has garnered more than 35 of these awards. It’s easy to underestimate just how much news is covered by our writers across 52 editions of the Jewish Light and four OY! magazines each year. A look back at our 2018 reporting reveals stories about the vibrancy of our Jewish institutions and how many new organizations are being born to serve previously unmet needs. We celebrated Israel turning 70 this year and our teen page, Ohr Chadash, had its 10-year anniversary. The Light covered the horrible instances of anti-Semitism that led to murder and vandalisms, and how, time and time again, we stood in solidarity. We continue to balance more serious topics with profiles of community members, music and theater reviews and new arts festivals like Sababa.  I could go on and on. Our editors are always looking for newsworthy stories; please be our partners by sending your ideas to: [email protected].

Access Matters

Through productive partnerships (remember that we are independent) with Jewish Federation of St. Louis, the Staenberg Family Foundation and an anonymous donor family, the Light received generous funding to allow us to reach out to the whole of our community and offer a free subscription to the paper. Since the launch of the free model in August, thousands of you have signed up for a free subscription (and told your friends and family to do so, too!). 

Digital Matters

We recognize that many of our readers want to get their news online. If you haven’t visited it yet, please look at our redesigned website (www.stljewishlight.com) and while you’re there, sign up for our weekly e-newsletters. Our site is updated daily and in addition to easier navigation and readability, we’ve greatly enhanced the multimedia components as well, bringing stories to life through photos and videos that are unique to our reporting. New digital advertising opportunities are also available.

2019 Matters

Not only are we going to be arriving in more and more mailboxes and inboxes next year, but we’re going to be out in the community with you at various events, too. Our inaugural Mah Jongg tournament in 2018 was a huge success and we plan to bring it back again. We’ll also have the 10^th anniversary of Unsung Heroes. But that’s not all. We are planning events for our new video series, Why Be Jewish? as well as a community forum where attendees can learn more about the Jewish Light and how to become involved in our Jewish news community. 

Scott Berzon, Executive Director of the Jewish Light.