This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of chaos and confusion, and of declining trust in public institutions. An era in which reporting facts that are true, holding power to account, telling stories that matter and having a platform for civil discourse on all that divides us are more essential than ever.
That’s the work of the Forward; work I have been so honored to have been part of, and work that my family will continue to support this Passover and every Passover.
As we take our first bites of matzo this weekend, I’ll be thinking of this line from Pirkei Avot, Sayings of the Fathers: Im ein kemach, ein Torah; im ein Torah, ein kemach.“If there is no wheat, there’s no Torah; if there’s no Torah, there’s no wheat.” Without sustenance, we can not learn. Without learning, what’s the point?
Similarly, without money, we cannot make quality journalism, and without good journalism, we’ll never understand what’s really going on.
This is a reader-supported nonprofit newsroom. We are lucky to have a handful of wealthy donors and foundations who make six-figure gifts each year, but there are thousands of folks like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year because, as one recent donor-generated Slack message put it, I learn so much every day from the stories you select.
Truth-seeking wise journalism…You discover and report the truth…
The tie between democracy and modern Judaism…Always timely, always interesting…Nuanced news and factual reporting...
I’m Jewish, you’re important, you asked.
I think that’s my favorite one. I’m asking. Please.
