6 | NOVEMBER 28 • 2024 J N 1942 - 2024 Covering and Connecting Jewish Detroit Every Week To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.thejewishnews.com The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334 MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel. VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity. DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 248-354-6060 thejewishnews.com Publisher The Detroit Jewish News Foundation | Board of Directors: Chair: Gary Torgow Vice President: David Kramer Secretary: Robin Axelrod Treasurer: Max Berlin Board members: Mark Davidoff, Michael J. Eizelman, Larry Jackier, Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer Executive Director: Marni Raitt Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: Mike Smith Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: Arthur Horwitz Founding Publisher Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory The Detroit Jewish News Foundation Giving Society The Rebecca and Andrew Hayman Giving Fund Nancy and James Grosfeld The Honorable Bernard Friedman Editorial Director of Editorial: Jackie Headapohl jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com Contributing Editors: David Sachs, Keri Guten Cohen Senior Staff Reporter: Danny Schwartz dschwartz@thejewishnews.com Editorial Assistant: Sy Manello smanello@thejewishnews.com Digital Manager: Elizabeth King eking@thejewishnews.com Contributing Writers: Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne Chessler, Shari S. Cohen, Louis Finkelman, Samantha Foon, Yevgeniya Gazman, Stacy Gittleman, Gary Graff, Esther Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, Karen Schwartz, Robin Schwartz, Steve Stein, Nathaniel Warshay, Julie Smith Yolles, Ashley Zlatopolsky Advertising Sales Director of Advertising: Keith Farber kfarber@thejewishnews.com Senior Account Executive: Kathy Harvey-Mitton kmitton@thejewishnews.com | Business Office Director of Operations: Amy Gill agill@thejewishnews.com Operations Manager: Ashlee Watkins Circulation: Danielle Smith Billing Coordinator: Pamela Turner | Production By Farago & Associates Manager: Scott Drzewiecki Designers: Kaitlyn Iezzi, Kelly Kosek, Michelle Sheridan PURELY COMMENTARY from the executive director Keep Local Jewish Journalism Alive S ince 1942, the Detroit Jewish News has been a trusted source of information for Jewish Detroit, binding our community together during the best of times and the most trying of times. The past year, for instance, has impacted the worldwide Jewish community in unfathomable ways. Since Oct. 7, 2023, antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment has risen around the world. As history unfolds around us and important news breaks every day, it is more critical than ever that Jewish news organizations continue to survive and thrive, both online and in print. In early 2021, the Detroit Jewish News Foundation officially took over the publishing of the Detroit Jewish News. The newly restructured 501(c)3 now had the twofold responsibility of publishing the weekly paper and managing the William Davidson Archives of Jewish Detroit History. Our “Bridge to the Future” Campaign, which included ongoing pledges from donors throughout the community, coupled with two generous $250,000 gifts, allowed us to make the transition from profit to nonprofit. We paid off old debt, moved to a smaller office and limited staff to essential team members. At the same time, a new Board of Directors was established to take the Foundation into its new era. To lay the groundwork, the Board developed a new mission and vision statement that would serve as our north star while, at the same time, making sure we stayed true to our Zionist roots. If you have noticed a difference in the content of the Jewish News these last few years, that has been quite intentional. More than ever, the paper is a collective celebration of our incredible Metro Detroit Jewish community. With more than 2 million pageviews on our website this past year, we know our content resonates with readers. Further, our writers, editors and page designers have received glowing accolades from our peers in the newspaper industry, including awards from the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the American Jewish Press Association (AJPA). However, times have never been tougher for print newspapers. We Marni Raitt Despite these challenges, we remain committed to keeping our news accessible. In fact, we haven’t raised our print subscription rates since 2013, and all our stories are available for free at thejewishnews.com. But we can’t continue this critical work without your help. Your donation, no matter the size, ensures that the Detroit Jewish News can continue to deliver trusted, independent reporting and amplify the voices of our community. Together, we can ensure our stories are heard, our values are defended and our community remains strong. 2024 Numbers At A Glance PRINT SUBSCRIBERS -4% WEBSITE PAGEVIEWS FREE + 121% PAPER, PRINTING & POSTAGE Keep Local Jewish Journalism Alive The past year has impacted the worldwide Jewish community in unfathomable ways. Since Oct. 7, 2023, antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment has risen around the world. Now, as history unfolds and important news breaks every day, it is more critical than ever that Jewish news organizations continue to survive and thrive, both online and in print. Since 1942, the Detroit Jewish News has been shining a light on the truth, preserving our community’s stories and standing as a pillar of strength during trying times. With more than 2 million pageviews on our website in the past year, it is evident our coverage resonates with readers. However, times have never been tougher for print newspapers. We are constantly battling the rising costs of paper, printing and postage, coupled with the expense of engaging top digital talent, freelance writers and investigative journalists. Also, like most print publications, the Detroit Jewish News has seen a gradual decrease in print subscribers as readers migrate to free digital content.