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For a healthy and happy New Year: A JNS appeal

JNS provides in-depth coverage and analysis on issues impacting the Jewish people.

Blowing a shofar at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sept. 16, 2017. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
Blowing a shofar at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sept. 16, 2017. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.
Alex Traiman. Credit: Courtesy.
Alex Traiman
Alex Traiman is the CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) and host of “Jerusalem Minute.” A seasoned Israeli journalist, documentary filmmaker and startup consultant, he is an expert on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. He has interviewed top political figures, including Israeli leaders, U.S. senators and national security officials with insights featured on major networks like BBC, Bloomberg, CBS, NBC, Fox and Newsmax. A former NCAA champion fencer and Yeshiva University Sports Hall of Fame member, he made aliyah in 2004, and lives in Jerusalem with his wife and five children.

The Jewish people have much to be proud of entering year 5780. Over the past decade, Israel has emerged as a regional military and economic superpower with greatly improved international diplomatic standing. In the United States, the Jewish community has begun to reckon with difficult questions of maintaining and strengthening Jewish identity. Jewish pride is on the rise.

The Jewish people have also been forced to unite around one of the world’s oldest forces: anti-Semitism. In the past year, attacks on Jews in the United States, Europe and Israel have increased. Deadly shootings in Pittsburgh and Poway, and vicious assaults in New York, have served as reminders that political differences, observance levels and geography do not separate Jews from our unique heritage or create distinctions among our enemies.

In an increasingly hostile political environment, many Jewish media outlets have taken to attacking the leaders of Israel and the United States, even as they help strengthen Israel and the Jews. These dangerous and misguided efforts harm Jewish interests and have turned Jewish diversity—one of the great strengths of the Jewish people—into divisiveness.

In the past year, JNS has provided in-depth coverage and analysis on important issues that impact the Jewish people. Coverage of Israel defense and security, American political developments, university campuses, anti-Semitism and BDS activity, Jewish culture, features on pro-Israel Jewish organizations, and understanding tensions between Israel and the American Jewish community have all led JNS to become the fastest-growing international Jewish news agency.

Our reporting is honest, fair and constructively critical. Our bureaus in Israel and the United States work to build a bridge to keep the Jewish people united over geographical and social divides.

We’ve grown tremendously in 5779 and expect that trajectory to continue in 5780 with continuously improved coverage, new initiatives and added partnerships.

And yet for all of our growth, our budget remains smaller than most media outlets. And so, as the Jewish New Year approaches—a time of reflection and charity—we turn to you for your support. We ask you to consider a tax-deductible contribution to JNS to help us continue to bring you the news, features, columns and analysis the Jewish world needs during these challenging times.

Each dollar goes into our editorial coverage and goes a long way towards helping us bring you top-quality reporting.

Thank you in advance for your support as well as your continued readership!

Wishing you many blessings for a sweet and successful New Year!

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