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Staying Mission-Focused In Turbulent Times

A

nated the duties on Wednesday,
s we enter the new year
Aug. 29, after an industry-wide
5779 and the accom-
outcry. However, the uncer-
panying Days of Awe,
tainty the tariff raised has led
we are compelled to reflect on
the Jewish News to reconfigure
our shortcomings, seek recon-
the dimensions of our weekly
ciliation with those we have
publication to ensure we can
wronged and commit to a path
continue to meet the needs of
of self-improvement. This period
Arthur Horwitz
the community. The change
of somber introspection is cur-
takes place next month.
rently framed and besmirched
The tone of our letters to the
by a loss of civil discourse,
editor is increasingly strident,
absence of empathy and inabil-
with some totally unprint-
ity to admit error.
able and others laced with personal
Squaring these Days of Awe with the
attacks on members of the community.
hyper-partisan, divisive, winner-take-
Communication via emails, text mes-
all, mean-spiritedness that has infected
sages and phone calls demand the
Washington, D.C., Lansing, plus digital
and traditional media platforms can feel Jewish News be totally for — or totally
against — a cause, a candidate for polit-
like an exercise in futility. Families have
ical office, a new rabbi in town, J Street,
become fractured and friendships shat-
tered over an unwillingness to see issues the Zionist Organization of America or
a country club’s event-hosting policies.
in shades other than black and white.
At the Jewish News, we feel the sting of Some of these demands include threats
of economic retaliation.
this polarization and nastiness on mul-
tiple levels.
President Trump’s incessant portrayal THE JN’S MISSION
of the media as purveyors of fake news
In these turbulent times, our mission
and the enemies of the people has a
remains our north star. It has been a
ripple effect. While his tweetstorms
part of our DNA since Philip Slomovitz
regularly single out CNN, NBC, the New
launched the Jewish News in 1942. We
York Times and the Washington Post for
are focused on being the community’s
scorn, they cumulatively serve to erode
independent, trusted, credible informa-
the credibility and trust that you place
tion source that “reflects the full range
in all forms of media — including the
of diverse viewpoints in our community
Jewish News.
while also advocating positions that
In launching a trade war with our
strengthen Jewish unity and continuity.”
friendly neighbor to the north, the presi-
Since ushering in the new year 5778,
dent recently included a large tariff on
the Jewish News has undertaken several
Canadian newsprint. Virtually all news-
initiatives, collaborations and partner-
print consumed in the U.S. — includ-
ships in fulfillment of its information-
ing by the Jewish News — comes from
gathering and community-building role.
Canadian mills. Thankfully, the U.S.
These include:
International Trade Commission termi-
• Significant expansion of our social

media and digital pres-
ence. We’ve hired a full-
time social media editor
People were dancing in the aisles at the JN’s 75th anniversary party.
focusing every day on
expanding our reach on
the Detroit Jewish community while
Facebook, Instagram,
Twitter and providing content unique to they are at college. Thanks to the gener-
osity of Howard and Brenda Rosenberg,
those platforms.
high school graduates showcased in
• More frequent updating of our web-
our May Cap & Gown issue are receiv-
site, www.thejewishnews.com, with
ing Jewish News digital subscriptions at
unique content (including video) and a
colleges and universities throughout
growing lineup of insightful and fresh-
Michigan and the country. Included are
voiced bloggers.
custom social media features sought by
• A unique partnership in New
the students themselves.
Michigan Media. This collaboration
• The introduction of Blippar, an
of Metro Detroit’s five leading ethnic/
easy-to-download application for your
minority media outlets has secured
smartphone or tablet. With one click on
grants from the Ford Foundation and
a page with the Blippar icon, you’ll be
the Knight Foundation to further
connected to related content, such as
expand and support our digital and
videos, photo galleries, a story from the
social media capabilities.
independent nonprofit Detroit Jewish
• Our partnership in the Detroit
News Foundation’s William Davidson
Journalism Cooperative. This relation-
Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History
ship enables us to share our content on
several multimedia platforms, including and more. Blippar can connect you to
the all-digital Bridge Magazine, PBS affil- a restaurant’s menu and help you make
a reservation. Blippar-connected ads
iate Detroit Public Television, and NPR
can take you on a virtual tour of a house
affiliates Michigan Radio and WDET.
for sale or to a page where you can pur-
• A major editorial initiative on
chase tickets to a community event or
addiction, depression and suicide.
make a donation. Look for the Blippar
Spearheaded by Managing Editor Jackie
Index on the table of contents on page
Headapohl, this Teen Mental Health
3.
series has produced 60 stories and
• Expanding partnership with The
counting ( find them by going to the
Well. Focused on building an inclusive
JN website and typing “Teen Mental
Jewish community for young adults in
Health” in search). We have joined
Metro Detroit, The Well and the Jewish
hands with others, including Kadima,
News introduced their second class of
Friendship Circle, Jewish Family
“36 Under 36,” young movers and shak-
Service and the Jewish Federation of
ers from across the Jewish community
Metropolitan Detroit, to educate the
who are helping to transform our city
community about this epidemic.
and region.
• Keeping almost 200 high school
• Successful conclusion of the Jewish
graduates connected to each other and

continued on page 8

Contributing Writers:
Ruthan Brodsky, Rochel Burstyn, 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, Joyce Wiswell

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@renmedia.us
Arts & Life Editor: Lynne Konstantin
lkonstantin@renmedia.us
Digital/Social Media Editor:
Hannah Levine
hlevine@renmedia.us
Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello
smanello@renmedia.us
Senior Columnist: Danny Raskin
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com
Contributing Editor: Robert Sklar
rsklar@renmedia.us

| Advertising Sales

Sales Director: Keith Farber
kfarber@renmedia.us

Account Executives :

Martin Chumiecki, Wendy Flusty,
Annette Kizy

| Business Offices

Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner

| Operations Manager

Tara Lennon
tlennon@renmedia.us

| 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

| Departments

General Offi ces: 248-354-6060
Advertising: 248-351-5107
Advertising Fax: 248-304-0049
Circulation: 248-234-9057
Classifi ed Ads: 248-234-9057
Advertising Deadline: Friday, 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.

Subscriptions:
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Detroit Jewish News
29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110
Southfi eld, MI 48034
©copyright 2018 Detroit Jewish News

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is
published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern
Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical
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FOUNDATION
go to the website
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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

September 6 • 2018

jn

jn

1942 - 2018

Covering and Connecting
Jewish Detroit Every Week

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

publisher’s notebook

