From the new editor...

Dear The Jewish State Readers:

Welcome to a new beginning of The Jewish State newspaper and its relationship with its readers. It is an opportunity for us to become something better.

On this note, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you, my new boss. I've recently been hired by the publisher of The Jewish State as its new editor. This means I will be partnering with you, The Jewish State readers, to direct the content of this publication including our regular sections, features and news, to be more reflective of the community we serve. This is a lot of work, and I can't do it alone.

This is a democratic, interactive, open-ended, participatory process with you. This is your paper. You get to decide what it should be. Any and all suggestions and submissions are not only welcome, but absolutely required to improve The Jewish State. In short, a newspaper can only be as good as those it serves, and we both have to work to make this partnership a success.

Here is what I bring to the table. My last position was as a night shift copy editor for Gannett's The Home News Tribune in East Brunswick. I have also been an associate editor at an academic publishing house in Piscataway, and before this, I worked as a reporter for NJN Publishing out of Somerville for four years providing coverage for a series of local weekly newspapers including The Piscataway Review, The Metuchen/Edison Review, the South Plainfield Reporter and The Journal of Warren and Watchung. During that time I received two New Jersey Press Association awards, for government and environmental coverage.

What all this boils down to is I have some newspaper experience.

However, this is my first experience at a Jewish newspaper. This is where you, the reader, come in. I invite your help. Everyone reading down to this sentence, if you've made it this far, has something to offer. Ask yourself: What can you bring to The Jewish State table? How can you make this proposed marriage of community and newspaper more successful?

And for those who are wondering, yes, I'm Jewish -- Ashkenazi to be exact. For those who are wondering even further, I would characterize myself as Reform.

As for my personal life, I am single -- all yentas are more than welcome -- and live at home with my mother, 66, my grandmother, 90, and numerous pets including cats, dogs and birds. In my spare time, mostly on weekends, I like to attend community events including concerts, lectures and street fairs. My interests include writing and movies, and my dream job would either be as a script doctor or writing comedy for Jay Leno.

So what are your specifics, Jewish State readers? What are your interests and hobbies? What are your needs and wants? And how can The Jewish State help you while you help us? You are the boss. You decide. Continue to make yourselves heard. That's why I'm here.

On a special note, I'd like acknowledge my informal journalism teachers Mike Deak of The Courier and Charles Johnson of The Home News Tribune.

Cheryl Orson can be reached by calling (732) 968-4533 or e-mailing cheryl@elipubs.com.