Looking Back
From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History
accessible at www.djnfoundation.org
78 | JUNE 24 • 2021
For KIDS Only
T
his week, the JN is launching a new
section: “Apple Tree.” Although
the name of this section has been
previously used, it’s a good title and the
new Apple Tree will be the first feature in
the history of the JN to be exclusively for
children.
Now, to be sure, a search
into the William Davidson
Digital Archive of Jewish
Detroit History demonstrates
that, over the past 80 years,
the JN has published plenty
of content specifically geared
toward Jewish children and
youth — my personal favorite
is the JN’s annual Chanukah
Art Contest. Until now, however, kids have
not had their own section.
In the earliest issues of the JN, there
was “Our Children’s Corner,” by “Uncle
Daniel.” I don’t know the name of the
writer behind “Uncle Daniel,” but he wrote
about Jewish religious affairs. For example,
see his column on Jan. 8, 1943: “Dear Boys
and Girls: an interesting minor holiday
is approaching. We know it as Hamisho
Osor b’Shevat, the Jewish Arbor Day” (also
known as Tu b’Shevat).
By the way, in the first issue of the JN
(March 27, 1942) and for many years after,
Danny Raskin wrote the “Jewish Youth’s
Listening Post” column. And, believe it or
not, Danny was a youthful 23 at the time!
Sprinkled throughout the pages of the
JN, one can find content just for children.
For example, the April 5, 1985, issue had
a page: “Kids make your own treats.” The
recipes included Gefilte Fish Kabobs and
Chocolate Matzah.
In September 1987, the JN launched a
special section for Jewish families titled
“L’Chayim.” It was created in a collabora-
tion with Harlene Appleman, director of
Jewish Experiences for Families, or J.E.F.F.,
at Metro Detroit’s Jewish Family Service.
L’Chayim was distributed to more than
21,000 JN subscribers, and 5,000 copies
were sent to schools, synagogues and other
Jewish organizations throughout Metro
Detroit.
It was an influential publication.
So much so, that, at its 1990 General
Assembly, the Council of Jewish
Federations bestowed its Smolar Award
to the JN for L’Chayim citing its “vital role
as a provider of informal Jewish education;
a ‘hands-on’ Jewish family experience.”
Although L’Chayim provided some con-
tent for children, it was notably a family
feature. The kids still did not have their
own special section.
L’Chayim morphed into “Apple Tree”
in 1996, for which Elizabeth Applebaum
was the editor. Apple Tree was published
as a separate JN section. Again, the focus
was upon Jewish families, but it included
more content for children than L’Chayim,
including a very popular page called
“Kaleidoscope,” a coloring page for
kids. Another popular item was “Family
Album,” that featured photographs of
adorable tots and tykes, such as the page
from Jan. 17, 1997.
“Apple Tree” also had an educa-
tional mission. For one example, see
Applebaum’s “Happy Purim” page in
the March 9, 2006, issue of the JN. It
is a short and sweet introduction to the
holiday, probably a nice briefing for some
adults as well.
Kids, your wait is over! This week, the
JN debuts an all new “Apple Tree.” The
name is tried and true, but in this new
Apple Tree, all of the content is devoted to
the interests of children. We hope they, as
well as their parents, enjoy it. Look for it
in the last issue of the month.
Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation
archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.
org.
were sent to schools, synagogues and other
for L’Chayim citing its “vital role
as a provider of informal Jewish education;
Mike Smith
Alene and
Graham Landau
Archivist Chair
in 1996, for which Elizabeth Applebaum
was the editor. Apple Tree was published
section. Again, the focus
was upon Jewish families, but it included
more content for children than L’Chayim,
kids. Another popular item was “Family
adorable tots and tykes, such as the page
is a short and sweet introduction to the
holiday, probably a nice briefing for some