Editorial: Forgiveness

Issue of Oct. 3, 2008

A radio listener who called in to the popular program hosted by former New York City Mayor Ed Koch a number of years ago went to great lengths to stress the extent to which he agreed with pretty much everything Koch had ever said or done in office, or on the air. Then the caller segued into a description of the anger, shock and disappointment he experienced over something Koch had said that actually didn’t fit this caller’s worldview.

“Pick 12 issues,” Koch advised his disillusioned fan. “If you agree with me on nine out of 12 then you and I see eye to eye on most things.” In his nasal New York accent, the former mayor then added a zinger: “But if you agree with me on all 12 ... go see a psychiatrist!”

Any newspaper worth the time it takes to read is bound to tick off even the most loyal reader from time to time, with a story that strikes particularly close to home, or perhaps with an editorial opposing one’s deeply held view. Agreeing to disagree is part of growing up, it seems, and those who can’t probably haven’t.

We always get a little chuckle out of criticism — presumably constructive — that begins with the critic cautioning that he doesn’t mean to suggest that we’re just trying to sell newspapers, but...

Sometimes we resist the impulse to point out that our paper is distributed for free; sometimes we can’t resist. The kernel of truth in the comment is that of course we want more people to read the paper. We’re not doing this for our health, after all. But suggesting that we made a particular journalistic choice as a business decision is somewhat insulting on two fronts.

First, we believe there’s a big different between our willingness to report and publish material most observant Jewish papers won’t touch, and running a “tabloid.” And, second, wouldn’t the choice that’s likely to tick people off be a poor choice, if made only for business reasons? (In other words: OK, so he believes that we’re craven opportunists, but he also think we’re stupid?)

Still, proud as we are about the paper, and careful as we are about what we publish in it, any such endeavor bears the risk that someone might inadvertently be hurt, either by something printed directly in the paper or by something inferred from it by creative minds that don’t habitually give others the benefit of the doubt.

In these Aseres Y’mei Teshuva, The Jewish Star asks forgiveness, mechilah, from anyone who feels they were wronged. In return, we grant forgiveness, are mochel, anyone who may have failed to give us the benefit of the doubt concerning our intentions or motives, or wronged us in some other way.

Even you, lady, the one who didn’t like the editorial about color-war breakouts, and called to scream, “I’m going to get you.”

G’mar Chasima Tova to all.