Rabbi Yisrael Gettinger

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
“In 1979 my husband and I moved from New York City to Mishawaka, Ind., expecting our first child, and coming from non-religious communities with strong Jewish identities. Nothing could have prepared us for the non-Jewish experience we confronted. Then we connected with the rabbi and his wife, made new friends in the community and started to see what was missing in our life. Rabbi Gettinger and his wife were instrumental in guiding us along our path to becoming Orthodox Jews. They taught me, answered my questions, inspired me, were there for me in every way, mentored my children and gave me a legacy to pass on to my children and grandchildren. Much of who and what I am today is in large part due to Rabbi Gettinger and his wife, and I owe them both a debt of gratitude.”
—JANE KOVEL
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.
