Bertram Korn, 64, Former Editor Of Philadelphia Jewish Exponent
(JTA) — Bertram Korn, the former editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent and longtime Jewish activist, died in July 5 from COVID-19. He was 64.
Known to his friends as Buddy, Korn served as executive editor of the Exponent from 1994 to 1997 and was involved in establishing the Philadelphia branch of the media watchdog group CAMERA.
The son of a historian and Reform rabbi, Bertram Korn, Sr., the younger Korn grew to embrace Orthodox Judaism and conservative politics in adulthood, founding Jews for Sarah to support 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and hosting a radio show on a conservative talk radio station in Philadelphia.
“Buddy taught many of us that Jewish journalism was a cause and a calling — and challenged us to make it something to be proud of,” said Ami Eden, CEO of JTA’s parent company 70 Faces Media, who worked under Korn at the Exponent. “He combined this belief with a childlike tendency to dream big, with no worry about limitations or failures. And if you were willing to take the leap with him, he would return the favor with friendship, mentorship and an uncompromising belief in your ability to soar.”
Born in 1955, Korn was active in left-wing politics in his youth. His father led Congregation Keneseth Israel, a prominent Reform synagogue in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, and authored more than a dozen books. His mother was the daughter of Emanuel Rosenfeld, one of the founders of the auto retailer Pep Boys.
“What he was more proud of than his community leadership work, however, was his family and, especially, his children,” said Moshe Philips, who worked with Korn at CAMERA and in his media work. “Two of his sons volunteered for IDF service and the link through shared military service this formed for Buddy’s sons to his own father, who was the first Jewish chaplain to earn flag rank in American history, was something he had often shared with me.”
Korn is survived by wife, Nava; children Emanuel, Avichai, Nechama and Eliyahu; sister Judy Korn; and one grandchild.
The post Bertram Korn, 64, former editor of Philadelphia Jewish Exponent appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
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 confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
