Publisher's note: The new Jewish Star

by Mayer Fertig

Issue of January 29, 2010/ 14 Shvat 5770

An attribute of the Jewish Star that many readers have admired is the “broadsheet” format — that is, a newspaper in the style of the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. An attribute of the Jewish Star that many otherwise satisfied readers have complained about is that same broadsheet format — too hard to read, even at the kitchen table, many have said.

I’ve always tried to be sympathetic to those comments. I assume readers who prefer the smaller page just didn’t have the advantage I was born with: my mother, who taught me how to fold and read the Times even while holding on by the crook of an elbow in a swaying subway car.

Putting aside my personal expertise with newsprint origami, several months ago as we considered how to “freshen up” the paper to prepare for our expansion into New York City we began to think seriously about making a change.

Once it was decided to turn the Star into a tabloid-format paper, we also made a conscious decision to make certain that the paper would still be recognizable as the Jewish Star.

We decided on a format of two, at most three, stories on page 1, with an eye-catching graphic presence that will include larger photographic images and even photo illustrations, as in this issue. Our “flag” or logo on the front page remains unchanged, as do most of the typefaces that appear in the paper, which should help to maintain a familiar feel. We’re very proud of the new design, which is the handiwork of a very talented newspaperman, Richard Stein, former publisher of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Riverdale Press, which is now one of the Star’s sister publications.

The calendar is redesigned from the bottom up, as well. Edited by Senior Editor Michael Orbach, the new calendar will make use of a larger dedicated space to include more of the interesting details about upcoming events that used to be left on the cutting room floor, and even some photographs. We believe you’ll find it an enjoyable new part of the newspaper.

That’s Life, edited by Miriam L. Wallach, has pride of place in a new home at what’s known as the “back of the book.” Readers who like to begin at the end will enjoy Miriam’s latest each week adjacent to the inside back cover.

Our talented columnists David Seidemann (From the other side of the bench), Micah Halpern (I’m thinking), Alan Jay Gerber (The Kosher Bookworm), Rabbi Avi Billet on the parsha, and our roster of rotating contributors are all in here as well. The opinion writers in particular, as well as the editorial, will appear in the center of the newspaper so as to leave more of the pages at the front of the paper available for news coverage.

Which brings me to an important point: one thing that remains unchanged in the Jewish Star, and will remain unchanged, is our commitment to independent, original reporting on our local communities and the frum world. It’s our goal to be candid — not in anyone’s pocket — and interesting, too, whether the subject is hard news or a feature. We’re proud that this sets us apart from other publications in our industry — that and the fact that almost everything in our paper each week is written just for the Star and is not available elsewhere. It’s what makes the Jewish Star worth reading, and is why so many people read the paper from cover to cover each week, and that’s why it makes the paper worth advertising in, as well.

Whether you’ve been reading the paper in Nassau County for years or picked it up for the first time this week in New York City, thank you for spending time with us. We promise to always do our best to make it a worthwhile investment.