4 | AUGUST 15 • 2024 
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Our New Look

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Thank You, Metro Detroit!

D

ear Detroit Jewish News 
Readers:
Over the last four years, 
under the stewardship of the 
Detroit Jewish News Foundation, 
the direction of 
the Detroit Jewish 
News has seen many 
changes. A new and 
focused mission was 
created to guide both 
the culture of the 
organization and the 
content of the weekly 
publication. The 
establishment of that 
mission is intended 
to not only uplift, 
inspire and encourage 
the Detroit Jewish 
community, but also 
to highlight the many 
wonderful attributes and activities 
of Jewish Detroit. 

When the Detroit Jewish News 
was founded in 1942, it was printed 
on traditional newsprint. Seventy-
seven years later, the rising cost 
of paper forced 
us to make the 
difficult decision 
to change our 
format. Although 
people have gotten 
used to the glossy 
magazine-style, 
we have heard 
from many in the 
community who 
would prefer a 
return to the 
traditional style of the paper. 
However, the price of newsprint 
made a change back cost-
prohibitive, particularly after we 
became a nonprofit publication.
Little did we anticipate that in 
2020, COVID would impact the 

supply chain across industries 
— including the paper market — 
resulting in an increase in the cost 
of glossy paper, as well. Combine 
that with the ever-growing price 
of postage, and we 
feared we would 
have to raise our 
rates or decrease the 
number of times we 
publish per month 
to accommodate 
for these substantial 
increases.
However, in the last 
year or so, something 
important happened. 
As the supply chain 
stabilized, newsprint has become 
more readily available and, thus, 
less expensive. Today, the price of 
glossy paper has far surpassed that 
of newsprint. Therefore, we have 
made the long-awaited decision 

to return to our newsprint roots, 
a change that we believe will be a 
welcome one for the community. 
Not only will it have the benefit of 
allowing us, for now, to keep both 
subscription and advertising prices 
at current rates, but it will also help 
us keep our weekly publication 
cadence.
As a nonprofit organization, it 
is part of the continuing mission 
of the Detroit Jewish News to be an 
important service to the Detroit 
Jewish community. With the format 
change, we plan to continue to do 
so for at least another 80 years. 
Our gratitude and appreciation 
for your continued readership and 
patronage. 

Gary Torgow is chairman of the Detroit Jewish 

News Foundation and Marni Raitt is executive 

director of the Detroit Jewish News Foundation. 

 

For more, see Looking Back on page 70.

O

nce again, Detroit 
has proven why we 
are the premier JCC 
Maccabi community. This year, 
we proudly set a new record 
by hosting the Games for 
the seventh time, and words 
alone can hardly capture our 
gratitude. From the ceremonial 
lighting of the torch to its 
passing, and everything in 
between, your contributions 
provided 1,200 Jewish 
teens with an unforgettable 
experience and demonstrated 
why we are the best.
The JCC Maccabi Games are 
more than just a sporting event 
— they offer an indescribable 
sense of connection and 
community that must be 

experienced to be fully 
appreciated. We are thrilled 
that so many people had the 
opportunity to be a part of it. It 
truly takes a village, and we are 
incredibly proud of our Detroit 
community for stepping up to 
volunteer and host.
Our heartfelt thanks go out 
to everyone who played a role 
in the success of the 2024 JCC 
Maccabi Games. Just two weeks 
ago, 1,200 athletes arrived as 
strangers and left as family, 
with the parking lot echoing 
with happy tears and hugs as 
they said their goodbyes — not 
as farewells, but as “see you 
again soon.” These athletes left 
Metro Detroit with hearts full 
of joy from the remarkable 

Jewish experience you helped 
to create.
Metro Detroit’s rich history 
with the JCC Maccabi Games 
is unmatched. We have hosted 
more Games than any other 
community, thanks to the 
collective spirit of everyone 
from the greater Detroit area, 
Grand Rapids, Traverse City 
and Windsor. Your hospitality, 
generosity and willingness 
to contribute make this 
community exceptional and 
enrich the lives of so many.
We could not have achieved 
this without your commitment, 
passion and dedication. 

Karen Gordon and Franci Silver are the 

2024 JCC Maccabi Games co-chairs.

Gary Torgow 

Marni Raitt

PURELY COMMENTARY

KAREN GORDON AND FRANCI SILVER

Karen 
Gordon and 
Franci Silver

MACCABI

