N.Y. Justice System Blocks My Column for 2 Weeks
My weekly column, “Good Fences,” will not appear for the next two weeks. Readers who are pleased that the world will be spared my flawed judgment should not leap to celebrate, however; I am participating even more directly in the flow of events by serving on Grand Jury duty. Unlike jury duty, I don’t sit on a trial but rather hear several cases a day of people who were arrested and vote with my fellow jurors on whether to indict and send to trial or dismiss and send home. Disclosure of our doings would be a felony, but I think I can say the experience so far hasn’t improved my feelings toward the justice system.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
