Abuse Allegations at YU Didn’t End Abuse; Israel Lobby As Pop Culture

Image by NBC/YouTube

Cold Open: A recent Saturday Night Live sketch pilloried the notion of the ?Israel Lobby? in a mock Senate confirmation hearing for Chuck Hagel. Image by NBC/YouTube
In this week’s Reporters Roundtable podcast, host Josh Nathan-Kazis is joined by Forward editor Jane Eisner to discuss why it’s the Forward is reporting on abuse allegations at Yeshiva University, even though the reported abuse occurred decades ago. Then, Forward reporter Paul Berger reports that one of the alleged Y.U. abusers continued to act inappropriately, years after his departure from the university. Then, opinion editor Gal Beckerman drops by to discuss his latest column why the “Israel Lobby” has suddenly become a pop culture punchline.
Why I became the Forward’s editor-in-chief
You are surely a friend of the Forward if you’re reading this. And so it’s with excitement and awe — of all that the Forward is, was, and will be — that I introduce myself to you as the Forward’s newest editor-in-chief.
And what a time to step into the leadership of this storied Jewish institution! For 129 years, the Forward has shaped and told the American Jewish story. I’m stepping in at an intense time for Jews the world over. We urgently need the Forward’s courageous, unflinching journalism — not only as a source of reliable information, but to provide inspiration, healing and hope.
— Alyssa Katz, editor-in-chief
