The Jewish Press

The Jewish Press
Name	The Jewish Press
Type	Weekly newspaper
Format	Broadsheet
Foundation	1960
Founder	Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin; Rabbi David N. Israeli
Publisher	Future Media Group
Political	Conservative Orthodox
Headquarters	New York City, New York
Language	English; Hebrew (online)
Circulation	Circulation varies; national and international distribution

The Jewish Press is a weekly English-language newspaper and online publication founded in 1960 in New York City with an editorial focus on Orthodox Judaism and conservative Zionist perspectives. It serves readerships across the United States, Israel, and the global Jewish diaspora, offering news reports, opinion pieces, religious commentary, and cultural coverage. The paper has been associated with figures from Orthodox institutions and conservative political movements, and it has intersected with debates involving Israeli politics, American Jewish organizations, and media ethics.

History

Founded in 1960 by Orthodox leaders including Rabbi Jacob S. Kassin and Rabbi David N. Israeli, the paper emerged during a period shaped by the aftermath of the Six-Day War and shifts in American Jewish life. Early editorial direction reflected alliances with leaders from Orthodox institutions such as the Rabbinical Council of America and yeshivot in Brooklyn, while engaging with debates involving organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, and Zionist bodies including the World Zionist Organization. Over decades the paper intersected with figures such as Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Rabin, Golda Meir, and American politicians like Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush in coverage and commentary. Ownership and publishing arrangements evolved, with later ties to media groups and figures connected to conservative and Orthodox networks, reflecting broader trends that also implicated institutions such as Yeshiva University and advocacy groups like Americans for a Safe Israel.

Editorial Stance and Content

Editorially the publication aligns with conservative Orthodox viewpoints, frequently addressing topics related to Halakha, Israeli security policy, and American Jewish communal life. Content categories include news reporting on Israeli politics — covering leaders such as Benjamin Netanyahu, Naftali Bennett, and Ariel Sharon — opinion columns referencing commentators like Phyllis Schlafly and Alan Dershowitz, religious essays by rabbis from communities linked to Agudath Israel of America and the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, and cultural commentary engaging authors akin to Elie Wiesel and Chaim Potok. The paper has published analysis on international actors including United Nations debates, US administrations from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama, and geopolitical crises such as the Yom Kippur War and the Gaza–Israel conflict.

Circulation and Distribution

Distributed in print primarily in the New York metropolitan area and nationally via subscription, the paper expanded its reach with online editions targeting readers in Israel, Canada, United Kingdom, and Jewish communities in Argentina, South Africa, and Australia. Circulation patterns have been affected by competition from outlets such as The Forward, Haaretz, and The Jerusalem Post, and by the digital transition that has reshaped publications including The New York Times and niche ethnic presses. The publication’s distribution has involved collaborations with community institutions, synagogues across boroughs like Brooklyn and Queens, and Jewish day schools affiliated with networks such as Torah Umesorah.

Influence and Reception

The paper has exerted influence within segments of the Orthodox and conservative Zionist public, shaping discourse that intersects with policy debates involving Israeli leaders Ehud Olmert and Shimon Peres, American Jewish federations including the Jewish Federations of North America, and think tanks like the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Reception among broader Jewish and secular audiences has been mixed: praised by conservative activists and some rabbinic figures for advocacy on issues like Jewish law and settlement policy, while critics from organizations such as the Brenner Center and commentators associated with The Nation and The Atlantic have contested its editorial choices and partisan alignments. Academic observers from institutions like Columbia University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem have cited the paper in studies of media influence on diaspora–Israeli relations.

Controversies and Legal Issues

Over time the publication has been involved in controversies involving defamation claims, editorial disputes, and questions about sourcing and journalistic standards, drawing scrutiny from legal figures and media watchdogs. High-profile incidents have intersected with public figures and organizations — occasionally prompting litigation or public retractions — and debates involving libel law as adjudicated in courts like those in New York County and discussions referencing precedents such as New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. The paper’s editorial positions on Israeli settlement policy, interactions with right-wing organizations, and commentary on intercommunal affairs have generated criticism from groups including the Anti-Defamation League and progressive outlets such as Haaretz and The Forward.

Notable Contributors and Staff

Contributors and staff have included rabbis, journalists, and columnists active in Orthodox, political, and journalistic circles. Names and affiliations that have appeared over time include rabbis connected to the Lakewood Yeshiva and editorial voices who engaged with politicians like Ariel Sharon and intellectuals such as Bernard Lewis and Richard Perle. Columnists and contributors have ranged from local New York figures to commentators with bylines in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, and Commentary. Editorial leadership has interacted with major communal leaders, authors, and policymakers spanning the networks of Orthodox Union, Zionist Organization of America, and conservative think tanks in Washington and Jerusalem.

Category:Jewish newspapers in the United States Category:Publications established in 1960