The New York Times Just Explained Why The Forward Matters So Much
Image by Kurt Hoffman
Writer-at-Large Jane Eisner October 9, 2017
It’s rare for journalists to be the subject of a news story. We’re usually the ones asking the questions, framing the narrative, finding the edge, telling it our way.
So it was with excitement but some trepidation last night that I began to read the online version of a New York Times story about The Forward.
My trepidation turned to relief and then deep appreciation for the way Jaclyn Peiser so beautifully captured what we try to do every day and every month at The Forward: Tell the American Jewish story better than anyone else. And regrettably, that story has included a spike in anti-Semitism since last year’s presidential campaign and into the Trump administration that has given a new resolve to our journalism.
I was also grateful at the way readers immediately understood and responded. One of the first reactions I saw on Twitter came from Jonathan Greenblatt, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, which has taken the online harassment of Jewish journalists very seriously.
sadly #antisemitism still here & that’s 1 more reason we need @jdforward. TY for yr work, @Jane_Eisner & crew https://t.co/7oUNGySREm
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) October 9, 2017
The truth is, while I am thrilled to have our work described in the Times, I wish it had been for a different reason. I wish we could also highlight our incisive reporting on Jewish communal and religious life, our terrific coverage of Jewish culture, food and fashion, and our sharp opinion pages.
I take greater pride in the Times’ highlighting of our coverage of topics as diverse as transgender rabbis, interfaith life, The Who, as well as our groundbreaking reporting on Sebastian Gorka, the ‘alt-right’ (and the Jews who embrace that movement).
But I meant what I said to the Times — “There’s something different happening now” — and it’s our job to tell that story, too.
Contact Jane Eisner at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter, @Jane_Eisner. To receive her weekly newsletter, Jane Looking Forward, sign up here.
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.
