December 16, 2016
16 Kislev 5777
Dear Friends,
An essential freedom in a free society -- one that most of us have probably long taken for granted in our country -- is the freedom of the press.
By "freedom of the press," we mean the freedom to investigate and critique and publish without intimidation. We mean the freedom to speak truth -- even when inconvenient -- to the powerful, without fear of retaliation. Such freedom is essential to a healthy, thriving democracy. It protects us from tyranny.
That's why we should all subscribe to responsible news sources committed to truthful and fair-minded reporting. They help keep us all safe.
What is true for our society at large is true for the Jewish community as well. We need responsible journalists to report Jewish news -- i.e., news about Jews, Judaism, and Jewish culture. We need a strong, vigorous Jewish press to probe the events of the day and to help us better understand them.
The Forward is a Jewish newspaper that will soon celebrate its 120th anniversary. Founded by Yiddish-speaking Jewish socialists in New York in 1897, it was "the" newspaper for hundreds of thousands of East European Jewish immigrants to this country.
My beloved great-uncle Julius Shamberg used to read the Forward in Yiddish. I, on the other hand, only began reading the paper once it began publishing a weekly English-language edition in 1983. Not only have I long found the Forward's news reporting critical to staying abreast of important developments in the Jewish world, but I have enjoyed reading its op-eds and its lighter fare as well, such as the advice column ("Ask Wendy") or the Philologos language column, both of which ran for several years. I've long subscribed to the Forward not only because I enjoy reading it, but also because I think it's important for all of us to support responsible Jewish journalism.
Imagine my shock -- and disgust -- when I learned that the Forward was being maligned -- "defamed" might be a better word -- with the charge that it was partisan and biased, and serving merely as the tool of partisan interests in the recent presidential election campaign.
This is an irresponsible charge that has been refuted by the editors of the Forward.
Nonetheless, this charge has stirred up much hostility and has inspired intimidation and threats. Several writers and editors of the Forward have been subjected to vile anti-Semitic insults, delivered in the form of unsolicited tweets and emails delivered to their in-boxes. The story of the Forward's role in the recent election, which was originally about how the paper was being falsely and unfairly criticized for its coverage of the campaign, has turned into a story of how quickly real, old-fashioned anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head.
We need the Forward. Not because its founders were socialists. Not because it may or may not have a particular editorial perspective (which is immaterial to me when I think about its overall importance) but because it is an important, responsible, national Jewish newspaper. Whatever our politics, we should support the Forward by subscribing to it and by contributing to it. We should be standing up for its brave editors and writers who, through their commitment to a free Jewish press, may be risking their lives for the sake of all of us.
Take a look at this letter by Sam Norich, the president of the Forward. When you're finished reading it, I strongly urge you to consider contributing to the Forward -- and standing up for freedom, in the face of intimidation and threats. To subscribe, click here. To contribute, click here.
You see: You too can act like Marlon Brando! Take a look:
(Marlon Brando "reading" the Forward)
Sincerely,
