Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive 
of Jewish Detroit History 

accessible at thejewishnews.com

82 Years of Ads for 
Your Jewish News
M

arch 27 will mark the 
beginning of the 83rd year 
for the Detroit Jewish News. 
This is no small feat when, over the 
past two decades, thousands of daily 
and weekly local newspapers have 
ceased to exist. 
We are still publishing your news-
paper every week. And, I did say 
“your” newspaper. The JN is indeed 
your community paper, 
which we continual-
ly strive to upgrade, 
improve, revise and 
innovate, to bring 
you important news 
of and for Detroit’s 
and Michigan’s Jewish 
communities. This is 
nothing new for us 
— it’s been our mission since the JN 
debuted on March 27, 1942. 
Since October 2020, the JN has been 
published by the Detroit Jewish News 
Foundation as a nonprofit journal. In 
short, we rely upon subscription and 
donations in order to bring you the 
news of Jewish Detroit and Michigan. 
At the risk of shilling for my place of 
employment — actually, I guess I’m 
deliberately shilling for the JN! — I 
found some really cool old adver-
tisements for the JN in the William 
Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish 
Detroit History. (The other part of the 
DJN Foundation is the Archive.)
An early ad summed up the essence 
of the JN, which still holds true. The 
JN is “… of the Jewish People …. 
for the Jewish People and … by the 
Jewish People (March 22, 1946).
Another ad from the Jan. 22, 1965, 
issue really focused upon what the JN 
brings to your family: “Whee - Take 
a Look at This Newspaper … It has 
Everything!” This was reinforced 
again in 1979: “The Jewish News Has 
Something for Everybody” (Dec. 21, 
1979). In 2024, we still have some-

thing for everybody, from stories 
about local Jewish people and events, 
news from across America and Israel, 
and over the years, lots of content for 
children. 
BTW
, look for the new children’s 
section by Efraim Harari in this week’s 
issue.
Perhaps the JN ad from July 17, 
1998, offers the best overview: 
“Looking for the Perfect Gift? Candy 
… is Eaten (and fattening, too). The 
Jewish News is fat-free.
” It goes on to 
say that “The Jewish News is a gift that 
helps you celebrate all year. Holidays, 
engagements, births and anniversaries 
… It’s the paper celebrating the people 
you know and care about” (July 17, 
1998). Now this is accurate reporting!
Notice the “perfect gift” statement 
above (hint, hint). We do believe 
giving a subscription as a gift to one’s 
children or grandchildren (or oneself) 
continues a long tradition of Jewish 
Detroiters reading the JN. 
One of the most effective ads was 
a small one: “There’s Hidden Money 
in Your Closet” (Aug. 1, 1986). When 
this ad promoting the selling of used 
goods via JN listings debuted, then 
publisher Arthur Horwitz received a 
phone call from a concerned reader 
seeking assistance: “I’m in my closet 
now. Where’s the money?”
Well, the JN will not promise you 
will find cash in your closet, but we 
do pledge to deliver the goods to 
your door every week, in paper and 
online at thejewishnews.com. And, 
we will archive every page of the JN 
that includes your history. 
The JN is your newspaper, and 
we never forget that. We sincerely 
thank you for subscribing and for all 
your support. 
 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN 
archives, available for free at 
thejewishnews.com.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

94 | MARCH 28 • 2024 
J
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