The Jewish Press: A Diverse Network of Contributors and Perspectives
The Jewish Press serves as a comprehensive platform for Jewish thought, blending religious scholarship, political analysis, and cultural commentary. By hosting a wide array of voices—from world leaders and legal ethicists to historians and bloggers—the publication provides a multifaceted look at the Jewish experience and the application of faith in the modern world.
Key Facts
- Diverse Expertise: Features contributors ranging from Hollywood screenwriters and mathematicians to legal ethicists and photographers.
- Religious Depth: Provides weekly columns on the Torah portion, Talmud, and the teachings of Nachman of Breslov.
- Political Influence: Has hosted columns by high-profile figures including Ronald Reagan and Menachem Begin.
- Digital Expansion: Maintains a robust ecosystem of bloggers covering war, rare books, and geopolitical reports.
Religious Scholarship and Torah Study
At the heart of The Jewish Press is its commitment to religious education. The publication features numerous weekly columns focused on the weekly Torah portion (the specific section of the Five Books of Moses read each week) and upcoming Jewish holidays. These pieces explore the contemporary applications of Jewish law, philosophy, and the Talmud (the central text of Jewish civil and ceremonial law).
The paper also highlights the teachings of Nachman of Breslov, a significant figure in Hasidic philosophy. This religious discourse has been shaped by a variety of authors, including Meir Kahane, Esther Jungreis, Dovid Goldwasser, David Hollander, Rafael Grossman, Hanoch Teller, Berel Wein, Isaac C. Avigdor, Steven Pruzansky, Gershon Tannenbaum, Emanuel Quint, J. Simcha Cohen, Francis Nataf, and Nathan Lopes Cardozo.
Political Commentary and Public Figures
The Jewish Press has long been a venue for political discourse, attracting elected officials and global leaders. In the mid-1970s, Ronald Reagan contributed a weekly column to the paper. The publication has also featured insights from Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and various Knesset (Israeli parliament) members, such as Menachem Porush, Yisrael Eichler, and Moshe Feiglin.
Local and regional political voices have also been prominent, including New York City Mayor Ed Koch, as well as Dov Hikind and Simcha Felder.
Diverse Contributors and Specialized Columns
Beyond politics and religion, the publication draws on a broad spectrum of professional expertise. Contributors include Hollywood screenwriter Robert J. Avrech, historian and mathematician L. (Yitzchok) Levine, and photographer Jacob Elbaz. Legal ethicist and Judaica collector Saul Jay Singer provides a specialized weekly column focused on the collection of Jewish history.
Other notable contributors include Jerold Auerbach, Louis Rene Beres, Phyllis Chesler, Paul Eidelberg, Morris Mandel, Steven Plaut, Marvin Schick, Martin Bodek, and cartoonist Asher Schwartz. Former contributors to the newspaper include Jason Maoz, satirist Arnold Fine, and Julius Liebb.
The Digital Frontier: JewishPress.com Bloggers
The transition to digital media has allowed the publication to expand its reach through various blogs. These digital spaces cover a wide range of niche topics, from the personal reflections of Paula R. Stern in "A Soldier's Mother" to the geopolitical analysis found in Ambassador (ret.) Yoram Ettinger's "The Ettinger Report."
Other active bloggers include Donny Fuchs, Jameel @ The Muqata, JoeSettler, Harry Maryle (Emes ve-Emuna), @IsraelShield, Batya Medad (Shiloh Musings), Frimet and Arnold Roth (This Ongoing War), David Israel, and Israel Mizrahi, who writes on rare and unusual Jewish books.
| Category | Focus Areas | Notable Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Religious | Torah, Talmud, Jewish Law | Berel Wein, Esther Jungreis |
| Political | Government, Policy, Diplomacy | Ronald Reagan, Menachem Begin |
| Specialized | History, Law, Arts | Saul Jay Singer, Robert J. Avrech |
| Digital/Blogs | Personal Essays, Rare Books, Reports | Yoram Ettinger, Batya Medad |
Frequently Asked Questions
What religious topics are covered in The Jewish Press?
The publication covers the weekly Torah portion, Jewish holidays, the Talmud, general philosophy, contemporary applications of Jewish law, and the teachings of Nachman of Breslov.
Which world leaders have written for The Jewish Press?
Notable political figures who have contributed include former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
Does The Jewish Press cover Jewish history?
Yes, specifically through contributors like historian L. (Yitzchok) Levine and a weekly column on Collecting Jewish History written by Saul Jay Singer.
What can be found on the JewishPress.com blog section?
The blog section features a variety of perspectives, including reports on war, musings on rare Jewish books, and geopolitical analysis from retired ambassadors.