The Jewish Exponent

Last updated
The Jewish Exponent
What It Means To Be Jewish In Philadelphia
The Jewish Exponent frontpage.jpg
The November 27, 2007 front page of The Jewish Exponent
Type Weekly newspaper
Format Tabloid
Owner(s)Mid-Atlantic Media
PublisherCraig Burke
Managing editorAndy Gotlieb
FoundedApril 15, 1887;137 years ago (1887-04-15)
Headquarters7605 Old York Road

Suite #113

Melrose Park, PA 19027
CountryUnited States
Circulation 24,000(as of 2015) [1]
Sister newspapersThe Guide to Jewish Philadelphia
ISSN 0021-6437
Website Official website

The Jewish Exponent is a weekly newspaper of the Jewish community of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the second-oldest continuously published Jewish newspaper in the United States. [2]

Contents

History

The Jewish Exponent has been published continuously since April 15, 1887. [2] [3] [4] A predecessor newspaper, The Jewish Record, had been published since 1875. [3]

The paper was founded by 43 prominent Philadelphians—among them Henry Samuel Morais—who pledged that it would be "devoted to the interests of the Jewish people." It was an early supporter of Zionism. In the 1940s, the paper experienced financial difficulties, and on May 5, 1944, it was purchased by real estate magnate Albert M. Greenfield and turned over to the Allied Jewish Appeal, a precursor of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, which still publishes it today via the Jewish Publishing Group. [4] [5]

In 1999, the Jewish Exponent launched its website. A totally re-designed website was launched in November 2012. The site contains timely news of a local, national, global and Israel nature, as well as blogs, special interest columns, classifieds, death notices and Mazel-Tov announcements. It is the home of the Jewish community events calendar with hundreds of events added monthly in a fashion that is searchable by event type, audience and location. The online guide to Jewish Philly provides a searchable method for the community to find out about every Jewish organization in the Delaware Valley, as well as businesses that wish to promote their products and services to the Jewish community of Greater Philadelphia. [6] The site also allows users to register for weekly email newsletters as well as engage with the Jewish Exponent via social media such as Facebook and Twitter.

On June 3, 2015, the Exponent laid off its entire editorial staff. Reports said that the paper had been losing $300,000 per year. The owners contracted with Mid-Atlantic Media to operate the editorial department of the paper. Mid-Atlantic is based in Baltimore and produces several other Jewish papers, including the Baltimore Jewish Times , Washington Jewish Week , and Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle . Joshua Runyan, Mid-Atlantic's editorial director, was named the paper's new editor, replacing Lisa Hostein. [7]

On Feb. 28, 2022, the Exponent was sold by Jewish Publishing Group, a subsidiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, to Mid-Atlantic Media. [8]

In July 2022, the Exponent moved its office and archive from 2100 Arch St. to Gratz College’s Melrose Park campus. The school announced plans for library staff to organize, digitize and share online the publication’s archives within the next year. [9]

In 2023, former director of business operations, Cheryl Lutts, was convicted of embezzling $1.4 million from the organization between 2014 and 2019. [10] [5]

Circulation

The current circulation is made up of direct subscribers and those who donate to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. In 2021, the Jewish Exponent had a print circulation of 20,000 and a "digital audience" of 500,000 a year. [5] The paper had 40,000 subscribers in 2009. [11] However, when the paper celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1962, it had the largest circulation of any Jewish newspaper in the United States. [3] At the hundredth anniversary in 1987, the circulation was 65,000. [4]

Awards

In 2010 and 2011, the Jewish Exponent was named "Best Overall Weekly Newspaper" in Pennsylvania by the Keystone Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. [12] [13] In 2014, the Keystone Chapter awarded the newspaper first place for "Use of the Web Among Non-Daily Publications." [14] The Jewish Exponent was awarded one Simon Rockower Award by the American Jewish Press Association in 2019, [15] two in 2022 [16] and another two in 2023. [17]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Philadelphia Inquirer</i> American daily newspaper founded in 1829

The Philadelphia Inquirer, often referred to simply as The Inquirer, is a daily newspaper headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded on June 1, 1829, The Philadelphia Inquirer is the third-longest continuously operating daily newspaper in the United States.

<i>The Forward</i> American news media organization

The Forward, formerly known as The Jewish Daily Forward, is an American news media organization for a Jewish American audience. Founded in 1897 as a Yiddish-language daily socialist newspaper, The New York Times reported that Seth Lipsky "started an English-language offshoot of the Yiddish-language newspaper" as a weekly newspaper in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jewish Telegraphic Agency</span> News agency and wire service

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) is an international news agency and wire service that primarily covers Judaism- and Jewish-related topics and news. Described as the "Associated Press of the Jewish media", JTA serves Jewish and non-Jewish newspapers and press around the world as a syndication partner. Founded in 1917, it is world Jewry's oldest and most widely-read wire service.

<i>Hamodia</i> Hebrew-language daily newspaper based in Jerusalem for a Haredi readership

Hamodia is a Hebrew-language daily newspaper published in Jerusalem. A daily English-language edition is also published in the United States, and weekly English-language editions in England and Israel. A weekly edition for French-speaking readers debuted in 2008. The newspaper's slogan is "The Newspaper of Torah Jewry". It comes with two magazines, Inyan and Insight. Haaretz, the newspaper of Israel's secular left, describes Hamodia as one of the "most powerful" newspapers in the Haredi community.

The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, known simply as the Jewish Journal, is an independent, nonprofit community weekly newspaper serving the Jewish community of greater Los Angeles, published by TRIBE Media Corp. Its editorial stance is conservative.

The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle is an American weekly newspaper published every Thursday for the Jewish community in the Greater Pittsburgh Region. The newspaper is owned and distributed by the Pittsburgh Jewish Publication and Education Foundation.

<i>The Jewish Press</i> American weekly newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York

The Jewish Press is an American weekly newspaper based in Brooklyn, New York City. It serves the Modern Orthodox Jewish community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy</span> Private, Jewish day school in Bryn Mawr, PA, United States

Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy is a coeducational college-preparatory and religiously pluralistic Jewish day school for grades 6 through 12, located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

<i>New York Jewish Week</i> Weekly Jewish community newspaper in New York City

The Jewish Week is a weekly independent community newspaper targeted towards the Jewish community of the metropolitan New York City area.

Washington Jewish Week (WJW) is an independent community weekly newspaper whose logo reads, "Serving the nation's capital and the greater Washington Jewish community since 1930." Its main office is located in Rockville, Maryland, a Maryland suburb of the District of Columbia.

The Baltimore Jewish Times is a weekly newspaper aimed at the Jewish community of Baltimore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gratz College</span> Private Jewish college in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania, United States

Gratz College is a private Jewish college in Melrose Park, Pennsylvania. The college traces its origins to 1856 when banker, philanthropist, and communal leader Hyman Gratz and the Hebrew Education Society of Philadelphia joined to establish a trust to create a Hebrew teachers college. Gratz is a graduate college located in a suburban setting, with fully online courses.

<i>Der Yid</i> Yiddish New York newspaper

Der Yid is a nonprofit New York–based Yiddish-language weekly newspaper, founded in 1953. The newspaper is published by Der Yid Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It is widely read within the broader Yiddish-speaking Haredi community. It uses a Yiddish dialect common to Satmar Hasidim, as opposed to "YIVO Yiddish", which is standard in secular and academic circles.

The American Jewish Press Association (AJPA) is an organization of Jewish newspapers, magazines, journalists, and affiliated organizations in North America. It was established in 1944 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Back then the Jewish Press was referred to as 'Anglo-Jewish press' and some publishers and editors were not comfortable with this tag. This organization was the brainchild of Gabriel Cohen, editor and publisher of the National Jewish Post & Opinion.

The Texas Jewish Post (TJP) is a weekly community newspaper serving the Jewish community of the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1947.

Tablet is a conservative online magazine focused on Jewish news and culture. The magazine was founded in 2009 and is supported by the Nextbook foundation. Its editor-in-chief is Alana Newhouse.

<i>Algemeiner Journal</i> American newspaper

The Algemeiner Journal, known informally as The Algemeiner, is a newspaper based in New York City that covers American and international Jewish and Israel-related news. It is widely read by Hasidic Jews.

<i>Chicago Jewish Star</i>

The Chicago Jewish Star was an independent twice-monthly general interest Jewish newspaper based in Skokie, Illinois, and published from 1991 to 2018. It provided news analysis and opinion on local, national and international events of relevance to the Jewish community, with a focus on literature and arts, politics, and the Middle East. It was a continuation of The Jewish Star, a Canadian newspaper operated by the same principals from 1980 to 1990.

<i>Der Tog</i> Yiddish-language daily newspaper

Der Tog was a Yiddish-language daily newspaper published in New York City from 1914 until 1971. The offices of Der Tog were located on the Lower East Side, at 185 and 187 East Broadway.

Alfred W. Fleisher was an American real estate investor and philanthropist. He was the co-founder and head of Mastbaum Brothers & Fleisher, and the president of the board of trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary. He supported prison reform.

References

  1. ↑ Jared Shelly (2015-06-03). "Jewish Exponent Lays Off Editorial Staff". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
  2. 1 2 "A Brief History". Jewish Exponent. Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Philadelphia's 'jewish Exponent' to Celebrate Its 75th Anniversary". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 30 March 1962. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Keating, Douglas (1 June 1987). "100 Years As A Voice Of The Jews Of Phila". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Boigon, Molly (July 21, 2021). "After scandal, can the Philadelphia Federation's new CEO turn it around?". The Forward. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ Friedman, Gabe (December 2, 2016). "Phoenix Jewish News signs over operations to media firm that runs Pittsburgh and Philly papers". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Guttman, Nathan (June 12, 2015). "What's Behind the Mass Layoffs at the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent?". The Forward . Retrieved 2015-06-12.
  8. ↑ Andy Gotlieb (2022-03-02). "Jewish Exponent Sold to Mid-Atlantic Media". Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 2022-03-03.
  9. ↑ Rogelberg, Sasha (2022-08-03). "Jewish Exponent Archives Find New Life At Gratz College". Jewish Exponent. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  10. ↑ Roebuck, Jeremy (July 25, 2023). "Former financial professional for Philly Pops and Jewish Exponent sentenced to prison for embezzling nearly $1.7M". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  11. ↑ Shister, Gail (20 January 2009). "Redefining the Jewish Exponent A new editor brings a new approach". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  12. ↑ Eden, Ami (April 23, 2010). "Exponent named best weekly newspaper in Pa". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ Hostein, Lisa (June 28, 2011). "Philadelphia Exponent named best weekly paper in Pa". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  14. ↑ Brodsky, Marc (April 29, 2014). "Jewish Exponent takes Web prize". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  15. ↑ "AJPA - 2019 Competition". www.ajpa.org. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  16. ↑ "AJPA - 2022 Competition". www.ajpa.org. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  17. ↑ "AJPA - Winners List". www.ajpa.org. Retrieved December 5, 2023.

39°57′20″N75°10′31″W / 39.95560°N 75.17515°W / 39.95560; -75.17515

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.