Still The Guardian
From Flames To Newsstands
Jewish News staff shows nothing can stop the paper from going to press.
a few personal items with the help of
employees from BelforUS/Inrecon, a
Staff Writer
Dearborn-based reconstruction com-
pany. For some staffers, this is their
tll p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, a few Jewish
first glimpse of the extent of the
News staff members still lingered at the
damage.
site where they had watched — many
They watch as Inrecon employees
arm-in-arm, some in tears — as fire-
carry
60 years' worth of water-dam-
fighters hosed down flames that enveloped the
Jewish News archive
aged
bound
roof of the Southfield-based newspaper.
books out of the building, to be
But even with the loss of files, photos and elec-
taken to a site where restoration will
tronic equipment caused by extensive fire, water
be considered.
and smoke damage, a mere four days later this
Editorial assistant Bobbi Charnas
issue was ready for print.
grabs
a stack of current papers, and
Getting this 116-page newspaper to readers, who
announces,
"If the room in the hotel
have come to count on it each week for the last 60
is
going
to
be
the Jewish News, it
years, was not always smooth sailing. The issue includes
should
look
like
the Jewish News."
section.
It
Style
at
the
Jewish
News
a pre-printed 24-page
Business Manager Brigette Thompson makes arrangements for equipment
Noon-4:30 p.m. By noon, data is
certainly was an interesting journey and a tribute to
while the staff works on this issue of the Jewish News.
retrieved from the paper's back-up
teamwork and dedication. Here's how it went:
server, taken off-site each weekend.
Monday
Like an airplane's black box, it holds much help-
supplies is created and passed around the room.
ful information, which is successfully retrieved.
The
scramble
for
supplies
is
on.
Web
site
10
a.m.
9 a.m. Publisher Arthur M. Horwitz stands in
Some hopeful staffers are disappointed their infor-
staffers Todd Skiba and Gina Horwitz shop for
the middle of the ballroom in the Embassy Suites
mation isn't there. They begin again from scratch.
office supplies and order computers and other elec-
Hotel in Southfield. He looks around the room,
With strategies in place, writers begin writing,
tronic equipment. Cathy Ciccone, a graphic artist,
pauses, and takes stock of his "second family."
sales staff goes out on calls and anyone with a
Up for most of the night, Horwitz and his man- locates a page waxer, essential for preparing camera-
portable phone is using it. In the absence of com-
ready pages, loaned indefinitely by a former Jewish
agement team discussed the logistics of preparing
puters and telephones, most reporters work from
News staffer now working at the Metro Times.
the paper starting with nothing but its 56
home, except for Harry Kirsbaum, who arrives
The displaced staff keeps busy. They munch on
employees. This morning dozens of split-second
prepared. He sets up shop in a corner, with his
fruit
and
candy
sent
from
businesses
and
Jewish
decisions are made to put things in place.
laptop and cell phone and is dubbed a "self-con-
organizations.
"You are the Jewish News — not the equipment,
tained journalist." By 4 p.m., 10 computers are
When the paper's only available phone line is in
and not the office space," he says to staff mem-
wheeled in on brass luggage racks and installation
use, other callers hear only dead air. Reporters
bers seated at banquet tables. "At the end of the
begins.
and advertising staff must rely on personal cell
day we will turn this empty room into the Jewish
Graphic artists Kelli Johnson and Michelle
phones.
News. And we will deliver a paper this week."
Sheridan
talk of how the night before, "Fireman
10:30 a.m. Employees, mostly from the editori-
9:30 a.m. Employees divide into departmental
Randy"
saved
Johnson's keepsake toy bulldog after
al
department
where
damage
was
lightest,
retrieve
meetings to devise individual game plans. Cell
hearing it "growl." Sheridan says, "If the bulldog
some much-needed documents, files, photos and
phone numbers are exchanged and a wish-list for
SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
A
:OW
t Editor Tier i Gieten Cohen edits stories at the new location.
2/1
2002
16