world
The DNA Of
The Community
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jonathan Aaron
Kari Alterman
Pamela Applebaum
Mark Bernstein
Kevin Browett
Daniel Cherrin
Ben Falik
Jonathan Frank
Arthur Horwitz
Lena Epstein Koretzky
Matthew Lester
Donald Lifton
Martin Maddin
Robin Schwartz
Sarai Brachman Shoup
HONORARY CHAIRS:
Eugene Applebaum
Mandell L. Berman
The Hon. Avern Cohn
Michael Steinhardt
A. Alfred Taubman
HONORARY BOARD:
Peter Alter
Robert Aronson
Harlene Appelman
Penny Blumenstein
Eugene Driker
Wayne Feinstein
Irwin Field
Dr. Conrad Giles
Dr. Lynda Giles
Nancy Grosfeld
Doreen Hermelin
Larry Jackier
Aaron Lansky
Florine Mark
Professor Deborah Dash
Moore
Robert Naftaly
David Page
Norman Pappas
Dulcie Rosenfeld
Mark Schlussel
Alan E. Schwartz
Jane Sherman
Joel Tauber
Mary Lou Simons Zieve
s television cameras transmit-
ted images of a devastating fire
that engulfed the Jewish News
Southfield office in January 2002, a few
seconds of film seared into the memo-
ries of evening newscast viewers. With
flames shooting as high as 20 feet and the
building's interior an orange-red glow, a
wooden bookshelf containing dozens of
black-bound volumes of all past issues
of the publication — dating to March
27, 1942 — could be spotted through a
smashed window.
In the fire's aftermath, the three most
common questions posed: "Was anyone
hurt?" "Are you out of business?" "What
happened to the old copies of the Jewish
from anywhere in the world. By
shoulders of those who came
visiting www.djnfoundation.org ,
before us.
you will land on the Foundation's
With the continuing generos-
home page. It includes a descrip-
ity and support of the commu-
tion of the Jewish News digitization
nity, foundations and individual
project. All you will need to enter
donors, this digital archive will
the archive is to provide basic reg-
be
regularly enhanced, updated
All ■ ‘‘\\
istration information and view a
and
expanded. Through sym-
Arthur
brief video that offers tips on how
posia
and other gatherings,
Horwitz
to use the search engine.
it will be utilized to "bring to
During the testing phase of
life" topics of current interest
this project, I had many opportunities to
and concern to the community and its
seek and retrieve information (it is worth
leaders. And it will enhance and enrich
noting that more than 90 percent of the
the research and good work being done
digital content was actually derived from
by other organizations in the community
the original bound volumes salvaged after
dedicated to preserving and communicat-
the fire!). I was able to quickly research
ing our history.
News?"
individuals, families, organizations, demo-
The Detroit Jewish News Foundation,
Thankfully, no one was hurt. We were
graphic trends, etc.
with continuing support from generous
able to set up temporary
What I realized was
and caring donors, is pleased to provide
offices in the ballroom
the Jewish News digi-
this timeless trove of previously unavail-
of a nearby hotel and kjgOt ,ovi" JEWISH A,
tal archive contains
able information to the community.
distributed a 116-page
the DNA of the com-
May we continue to go from strength to
'"4'4 /
edition — with the
munity: the smallest
strength.
Jewish News fire as the
tidbits of information
cover story — one day
that, when strung
late. Thanks to the shelter provided by
together during searches, tells full, deep
Appreciat ly,
the bookshelf and the compactness of the
and remarkable stories. This archive also
volumes, these back issues of the Jewish
provides easy access to the thinking and
News were largely spared from destruc-
doing of the smartest people of their
tion. While offsite microfilm of all Jewish
generation. Current and future com-
News editions existed, there was no substi- munity leaders would be well advised to
tute for seeing and feeling the stories that
tap into their wisdom. Many of our chal-
Arthur Horwitz
shaped our community in their original
lenges today are no different than those
President
form.
of yesterday. We are truly standing on the
Substantial interest in the fate of the
Jewish News editions, "our communal
Services
Donate
Contact Us
history:' as many callers and letter writ-
ers described them, was a catalyst for
the creation of the Detroit Jewish News
Foundation in July 2011 as an indepen-
dent 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. Its initial
Become a Donor
decision was to secure the funding to
f
Supporters of the Detroit Jewish News Foundation
preserve, digitize and make available the
represent a cross-section of the community From chief
entire content of the Jewish News as a
executive officers and retired school teachers to family
foundations and college students they all share a common
timeless community asset.
interest to unlock and share the history of the Detroit
Beginning Nov. 18, this asset — com-
Jewish community and the thousands of families who
continue to shape it
prising more than 267,000 documents
They recognize they are standing on the shoulders of the
and growing as new chapters of our col-
;,./
ones who came before them and that future generations
lective history are written — will be at
g ri
will be standing on their shoulders.
0
your fingertips. Your inquiries, whether
More
about a person, an event, an organization
or a subject, will be processed quickly by a
1.1L
Google-style search engine. And thanks to
the strategic thinking of the Foundation's
board of directors and the generosity of a
cross-section of the community, the site is
available to individuals free of charge.
2013 Detroit Jewish News Foundation. All rights reserved. Created by
The Jewish News digital archive will be
open 24 hours a day, seven days a week,
• •
tittlitoo f
V‘ NDAT /04/
Vok.)
' v-
❑
a
c ,
.a.,
4
N Ear
Media Genesis
Privacy Policv/Terms 8 Conditions
10 November 14 • 2013
JN
Dl