A note from the managing editor of The Jewish State
By Seth Mandel

With this issue of The Jewish State, we will be ushering out the 12th year this newspaper has been in publication, and will prepare to welcome 2008, the 13th year the paper has had the privilege of proudly serving the wonderful Jewish communities of Middlesex, Monmouth, and Union counties.

Also with this issue, I have the distinct honor of taking over managing editor duties for The Jewish State.

As you know, I have been writing and reporting for this newspaper since our publisher, Elly Ezra, brought it back in November 2006. Five months earlier, Elly hired me to edit The Jewish Journal and The Speaker, our two sister publications that were also reborn under Eliyahu Publications.

Without question, writing for The Jewish State has been a highlight of my career in journalism thus far. Its Jewish communities are blossoming, its issues are unique, and the passion of the people on this beat has been nothing short of inspiring.

Recently, for example, two of our news stories brought in a flood of letters in response. Some of these letters were downright courageous, and others were examples of the great men and women we have living among us. The writers of these letters found themselves front and center in a public debate about issues with immense significance, and they spoke with conviction and heart.

That is the purpose of a newspaper such as The Jewish State. We love to report the news, and we are happy to share our opinions in editorials and other columns, but we relish the virtue of being a forum for ideas, and to give a voice to those willing to speak up.

In that respect, I hope to continue the proud tradition of this newspaper.

Rabbis: The Jewish community looks to you for guidance, and so do we. We welcome religious columns, holiday tips, or your thoughts on the weekly Torah portion.

Professionals: You may advertise with us already, but our readers can also benefit greatly from your insider’s knowledge. Feel free to shed some light on aspects of your industry and clear away some of the fog for our readers.

Writers: Take the opportunity to inform your Jewish community. Come write for us, cover events, keep the flow of information going strong in your community. Full-time or part-time, both options are open to fit your schedule.

Readers: You are our better half. It was a reader that got the ball rolling with Ten Thousand Villages, and the story made its way to Pittsburgh, where the local Jewish newspaper saw it and wrote about the issue for their audience. And it was the readers who responded to that story as well; your letters were probably the first thing readers opened the paper to. Keep up the good work.

I can be reached at our office phone number, (732) 968-4567, or by direct e-mail at
seth@elipubs.com. Continue to send your letters or other contributions to news@elipubs.com, or mail us (our address is on page 6).

The most important thing to remember is this: You, your children, your synagogues, and your organizations are all doing wonderful things every day. Let us know about them.

I look forward to our partnership.