Philissa Cramer, a co-founder and editor at large of the education news organization Chalkbeat, has been named editor in chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, announced the wire service on Tuesday.
“I am honored to be joining the terrific team at JTA,” Cramer told the news outlet. “Now more than ever, the Jewish world needs ambitious, impartial and inspiring journalism. I look forward to leading JTA to deliver more of the pace-setting reporting that has distinguished the news organization for the past century.”
She succeeds Andy Silow-Carroll, who was in the post for three years before he was tapped in July to become editor in chief of The New York Jewish Week.
“During her time at Chalkbeat, Philissa tackled challenges similar to the ones faced by JTA, like the need to produce smart and credible reporting on complex and polarizing subject matters, and doing so in a manner that meets the needs of local and national audiences,” said Ami Eden, CEO and executive editor of 70 Faces Media, JTA’s parent company. “Philissa shares our commitment to pursuing ambitious change in a manner that honors our storied history, and is true to our core values and standards.”
“As the wife of a rabbi who has worked in small and large communities,” he added, “Philissa also brings an intimate familiarity with various types of Jewish communities and their experiences.”
JTA, founded in February 1917, has reported on issues related to the Jewish community and Israel for more than 100 years. Articles by the wire service are currently syndicated in more than 70 publications.
