Jodi Rudoren’s last message as editor-in-chief of the Forward
To get a sane perspective on how world events relate to the Jewish people…Because we need more of the journalism you provide…It is the most well-rounded and intellectually rigorous and nuanced Jewish publication…Now more than ever in my life I must know more about my Jewish identity.
These are not my reasons for supporting the Forward – they’re yours. About 18 months ago, when we took down our paywall to make all our work free and accessible to everyone, we started asking readers who chose to become members by making donations why they did it. Their responses are automatically shared with our team on the messaging platform Slack, and scrolling through them has become my favorite procrastination tool.
Most are simple, yet profound. I so appreciate your clear-eyed reporting…Jews need to support each other…If you say you need the money, I’m willing to chip in.
When I became editor-in-chief of the Forward in 2019 after more than two decades at The New York Times, I never could have imagined the tumultuous — and apparently interminable — news cycle about to engulf us. The pandemic and George Floyd’s murder. Jan. 6 and Oct. 7. War and antisemitism. Politics and polarization.
It has been an incredible privilege to serve this storied institution — which we lovingly think of as a 128-year-old startup — during these intense times, to build and lead a team of independent, intelligent and irreverent journalists, to engage with our broad and broad-minded audiences. As I depart now, heading back to The Times to oversee its newsletter portfolio, I wanted to make one last appeal for you to join me in not just reading the Forward, but investing in its future.
Invest in the Forward’s future
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?
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.
Chag sameach and l’hitraot,
Jodi Rudoren
Editor-in-Chief