Grilling at Gracie Mansion

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Michael Bloomberg has never been one to flaunt his Jewish identity, but that didn’t stop New York City’s mayor from celebrating Jewish Heritage Day by hosting a June 17 barbecue at Gracie Mansion. Representatives from a variety of Jewish organizations were there, ushered onto the grounds by volunteers from Jewish universities. Hot dogs and hamburgers (kosher, of course) were served, and Israeli hip-hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari performed.
"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.
