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.

Antisemitism Notebook

Your weekly guide through the news and the noise of how rising antisemitism and disputes over how to address it are shaping American Jewish life.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

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.

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 eisner@forward.com or follow her on Twitter, @Jane_Eisner. To receive her weekly newsletter, Jane Looking Forward, sign up here.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount