The last three years have been one of the most traumatic periods for Jews and interfaith families since the Holocaust. Israel and the Diaspora have been deeply impacted by the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. More than 1,200 were murdered that day and over 250 were dragged into captivity in Gaza. Meanwhile, in the U.S., antisemitism has soared since Oct. 7 and shows no sign of slowing down. In this state, not a day goes by when Jews are not accused of contributing to “genocide,” or verbally attacked or intimidated because they are Zionists. According to the FBI, 63% of the 2,408 religion-based hate crimes in the U.S. targeted Jews in 2025.

Over the last year, the Journal has worked tirelessly to bring you the latest news about the conflict. While other publications use wire services, we employ journalists in Israel and Greater Boston who have a deep understanding of the conflict and have access to sources on the ground that few other reporters have. For the last two years, the Journal has won national awards for its excellence in investigative reporting and coverage of the war in Israel. Also, this past year, the Journal produced two films about the war that were shown locally. The documentaries focused on survivors of the Nova festival and hostages who were held in Gaza by Hamas.

Since it was founded in 1977, the Jewish Journal of Greater Boston has been covering the North Shore and Greater Boston, and as we approach the Jewish New Year, our paper continues to bring you award-winning stories that reflect an evolving America, and a changing Jewish and interfaith community.

While we publish important news stories, we are also the central link that connects Greater Boston Jewry. For thousands of our readers, the Journal is the only link to Jewish content in their lives. On these pages, you can find breaking news, profiles of community members, stories about our institutions – including day schools, Jewish community centers, synagogues, Jewish camps and charities. Those stories, along with essays, columns, births and deaths, and calendar listings, provide an essential connection to thousands of Jewish and interfaith families.

Here at the Journal, our job is to write and report stories that reflect our community. And our urgent mission is to continue to be financially solvent in order to publish and mail 29 papers a year at no cost to our 11,000 subscribers. We are a modest organization, with a staff of four full-time and four part-time employees. Our budget is around $1 million annually and our revenue comes from three sources: advertising, voluntary subscriber donations and grants. To remain solvent, we need to raise $500,000 from our readers over the next 12 months.

Journalism is a labor-intensive profession, and the reporting and printing of facts cannot be automated. While the paper is free, the actual cost of an annual subscription is $136. We consider our readers and the nonprofits we serve and publish stories about as partners. Please partner with us and help keep our presses running by becoming a volunteer subscriber. Our future rests on generous contributions and support from our readers.

There are many ways to donate. You can call us at 978-745-4111.

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The Jewish Journal
P.O. Box 2089
Salem, MA 01970

As we turn to the New Year, we have great hopes for our publication. Please join us so we can continue to be the voice of this diverse and dynamic community. Θ

– Steven A. Rosenberg