Every year I write my state of the city editorial on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah and the new year. People always kid me about rewriting the same editorial from the year before. Alas, I have heard your suggestions and I am writing this on a new piece of paper. Well, not really, but a new sheet of paper on my computer. I plan on using much of the same thoughts and ideas, but this is all new. It is now nearing the end of Elul, the last month of the year. I look forward to hearing the shofar every morning. It says, “You have much work to do to get ready for Rosh Hashanah.” Yes, there are many stories and ads to prepare, and many people to see and contact about their ad in the biggest issue of the year, but we here at the paper are up for it. And, so far, we always seem to get everything done right before we send it off to the printer.
Let us not forget that, during Elul, we need to think about the spiritual and the personable. The interpersonal relationships we all have with our many family members, friends, colleagues and associates. I know that I can always improve. As a person, a man, a friend, a father and a brother, I can improve on aspects of my life. When I hear that shofar I think “I am human, I can always do better; I can strive to do better.”
I want to thank the staff of The American Israelite newspaper and website. The staff that brings you this paper every week is dedicated, hard working and each of them loves this city. We all do, and it shows every day. So, to all of you, thank you! I also want to thank everyone else that this company does business with, cooperates with, and collaborates with, and all of you: our readers and advertisers and supporters. You deserve a pat on the back on a job well done. We really do connect Jewish Cincinnati and we truly are the leader in many ways. From covering events to covering the news to bringing it to the people through many different means, we deliver each and every day. You are the reason we are loved and you are the reason we have such a huge following in this city and, dare I say, around the country and around the world.
Here are some of the things we want to focus on in the upcoming year:
Newspaper: We plan on continuing our “Jews By Choice” series and will wrap up that series this coming year. C.J. has done a great job in bringing a very complex issue down to very accessible, understandable terms. It is a major life changing event to change religions, and he adds depth to the people that we now proudly accept into our ranks. I also want to thank those that have been interviewed, those who have let us into their lives on a very intimate basis. If you know of anyone or a family that should be written about, please contact me and we shall make every effort to bring their story to you, our readers.
Website: As many of you know, we have updated our website. It is still being developed and will be for some time. We are in the process of adding new features and fine tuning other features. It is an ongoing update. We will update you all as we add the new features that will, I believe, improve on what we are doing and help you navigate all the information on the site.
Let There Be Light Podcast: Our podcast has been going now every week for 3 years. I want to thank our co hosts and wish them all a great new year: Stephanie Deutsch, Pam Geller, Julia Olson, Lorrie Platt and Pam Saeks. You all inspire me every day and make coming in to do our weekly podcast a day of fun and joy.
Word of the Year: The word of the year is accountability. I will go into this in more depth in the months to come.
As I do every year I want you all to forgive me and The Israelite for anything that we or I have done to harm you in any way. If you want me to personally talk to you about a matter please email me at publisher@americanisraelite.com so we can clear the air and start the new year off on a fresh footing.
I also want to thank my wife Stephanie for all she does to enhance our lives everyday.
Finally — I wish all of you and the entire klal Yisrael a happy and healthy new year. Let us hope it is a good year, one filled with good health and much joy.
Netanel ‘Ted’ Deutsch
Publisher
