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 

