Jon Voight is a Chabadnik at Heart
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Jon Voight is a Chabadnik at heart, or so he declared at a cornerstone-laying ceremony in an east Jerusalem neighborhood.
A long-time Israel supporter, the American Academy Award winner and star of films such as “Midnight Cowboy” is visiting the country with likely Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
“I’m proud to stand here today with believers of the justness of the Jewish nation, and their heritage,” he said, addressing the crowd. “I possess a deep feeling and connection to the Jewish nation.
“When I see you, I see all the greats who throughout the centuries dreamed of giving over the heritage to the next generation, and the sacrifices and hardships they endured to do so. And now, all you here, this is your time, and you’re doing what is incumbent on you, namely, to prepare the future generations to be the hope of the world.”
Voight has also spoken of his desire to have his movie-star daughter, Angelina Jolie, join him in Israel. While he is unaware of her stance on the country, he told the associated press that he would love to have Jolie accompany him.
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.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
