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. 

