views

publisher’s notebook

continued from page 5

at 98 years of age, Danny Raskin contin-
ues to produce a weekly column for the
Jewish News, a feat of writing that would
draw a tip of the cap from Cal Ripken
Jr. and Lou Gehrig. The “youth” in his
“Listening Post” column was quietly
dropped in the late 1940s.
By the end of World War II, the
Jewish News had eclipsed the Jewish
Chronicle as the community’s primary
communications platform. In July of
1951, Slomovitz acquired the Jewish
Chronicle and absorbed it into the
Jewish News. He continued to edit the
Jewish News with independence, pas-
sion and undimmed Zionistic zeal until
selling it in March 1984 to a group that
published the acclaimed Baltimore
Jewish Times. Though totally blind
by this time, Slomovitz continued to
write his long-running weekly “Purely
Commentary” column until his passing
in 1993 at age 96.

NOW AND THEN

On one level, today’s world and Jewish
community appear to be dramatically
different than the one Slomovitz faced
in 1942. Social media and the world-
wide web have eclipsed traditional
communications platforms. A president
tweets to more than 20 million follow-
ers, and Facebook helps to overthrow
regimes. Israel is a reality, militarily
and economically strong, but its legiti-
macy remains under constant assault.
American Jews are more integrated into
the fabric of society and less connected

Contributing Writers:
Ruthan Brodsky, Suzanne Chessler,
Annabel Cohen, Don Cohen, Shari S. Cohen,
Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Adam Finkel,
Stacy Gittleman, Stacy Goldberg, Judy
Greenwald, Ronelle Grier, Esther Allweiss
Ingber, Allison Jacobs, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer
Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz,
David Sachs, Karen Schwartz, Robin Schwartz,
Steve Stein

Arthur M. Horwitz
Publisher / Executive Editor
ahorwitz@renmedia.us

F. Kevin Browett
Chief Operating Officer
kbrowett@renmedia.us

| Editorial

Managing Editor: Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@renmedia.us
Story Development Editor:
Keri Guten Cohen
kcohen@thejewishnews.com
Arts & Life Editor: Lynne Konstantin
lkonstantin@renmedia.us
Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello
smanello@renmedia.us
Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin
dannyraskin@sbcglobal.net
Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar
rsklar@renmedia.us

to each other and their traditional insti-
tutions.
But on another level, the world is
still a dangerous place — including for
Jews. The “alternative facts” of Henry
Ford, Father Charles Coughlin, Joseph
Goebbels, Adolph Hitler, Gamal Abdel
Nasser and Saddam Hussein are being
regurgitated by the American “alt-right,”
the BDS (boycott, divestment and
sanctions) movement against Israel,
Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah, Iran’s
mullahs and the ultra-nationalists gain-
ing followers across Europe. Holocaust
deniers abound, as do those who seek
to dilute its uniqueness as a war of
destruction against the Jews.
Seventy-five years later, “the whis-
pered word of bigotry” referenced by
Gov. Van Wagoner is still a lie that
undermines American society. As Jews,
we are still a target of this bigotry,
joined by “others” whose religion, cus-
toms or low economic standing trig-
ger baseless hatred. Unlike the 1940s,
today’s technology assures the whis-
pered words of even one bigot can be
amplified, reaching a global audience
with the push of a button.
With this issue, the Jewish News
embarks on a year-long commemoration
and celebration. In addition to honoring
the legacy of Philip Slomovitz, the 75th
anniversary will serve as a springboard
for reimagining ways we can better serve
the changing needs of our community.
It will also offer many opportunities to
express continuing gratitude to you,

| Advertising Sales

Sales Director: Keith Farber
kfarber@renmedia.us
Account Executives : Kathryn Andros,
Wendy Flusty, Annette Kizy, Paige Lustig

Sales Manager Assistants :

Andrea Gusho, Karen Marzolf

| Business Offices

Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner

our readers, advertisers and partners in
community building, for your support,
encouragement and expectation that we
can always do better.
Gov. Van Wagoner’s final request in
his 1942 letter to Philip Slomovitz is
that the newly launched Jewish News
sow “the friendliness and understand-
ing” that can reap “the friendliness and
understanding for the Jew and can help
us preserve our democratic tradition.”

| Production By
FARAGO & ASSOCIATES

Manager: Scott Drzewiecki
Designers: Kelly Kosek, Amy Pollard,
Michelle Sheridan, Susan Walker

| Detroit Jewish News

Chairman: Michael H. Steinhardt
President/Publisher: Arthur M. Horwitz
ahorwitz@renmedia.us
Chief Operating Officer: F. Kevin Browett
kbrowett@renmedia.us
Controller: Craig R. Phipps

| Fulfillment

circulationdesk@thejewishnews.com

In a world that remains dangerous
and threatening, we reaffirm our com-
mitment to continue to educate and
inform our Detroit Jewish community,
keep them connected to their neigh-
bors, and unflinchingly uphold the
democratic traditions and institutions
that continue to make America great. •

Arthur Horwitz is publisher and executive editor of
the Jewish News.

| Departments

General Offi ces: 248-354-6060
Advertising: 248-351-5107
Advertising Fax: 248-304-0049
Circulation: 248-351-5174
Classifi ed Ads: 248-351-5116
Advertising Deadline: Monday, 2 p.m.
Editorial Fax: 248-304-8885

Deadline: All public and social
announcements must be typewritten
and received by noon Tuesday, nine days
prior to desired date of publication.

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Detroit Jewish News
29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110
Southfi eld, MI 48034
©copyright 2017 Detroit Jewish News

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and
additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send
changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200
Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034.

To make a donation to the
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
FOUNDATION
go to the website
www.djnfounadtion.org

OUR JN The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that’s useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen
Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive
MISSION member of the community. Being competitive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied

advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth.

6

March 23 • 2017

jn

jn

1942 - 2017

Covering and Connecting
Jewish Detroit Every Week

