Letters to the editor

Let’s emphasize thriving Jewish life
Each week, when I pull the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle out of my mailbox, I look forward to reading about our Jewish community. I am grateful to the Chronicle’s dedicated team for the tremendous effort that goes into producing a quality Jewish newspaper for our community each week. Yet far too often, the first thing that greets me is another headline about antisemitism or the latest threat facing Jews here or around the world. Of course, these stories matter. Antisemitism is real, and we cannot afford to ignore it. The Chronicle plays an important role in keeping our community informed, and I appreciate that responsibility.

I’d like to offer a suggestion for a shift in emphasis, particularly when it comes to the main front-page feature.

Of course, antisemitism is real, and reporting on it is essential. But alongside that important coverage, I believe there is an opportunity to place even greater emphasis on the positive stories of Jewish life, particularly in the main front-page feature. Even when the headline celebrates the commendable efforts of community leaders and organizations to combat antisemitism, the loudest message on our front page is still about the hatred we face, rather than the Jewish life we celebrate.

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There is so much to report about thriving Jewish life in Pittsburgh. These stories deserve not only a sidebar or secondary headline, but regularly the main front-page feature, with the largest headline and most prominent placement. Imagine opening the Chronicle each week and being greeted by a celebration of Jewish life in Pittsburgh.

And the same applies to national and international coverage. Incredible things are happening throughout the Jewish world, from inspiring initiatives and thriving communities to remarkable achievements and stories of Jewish pride. There is no shortage of uplifting, meaningful Jewish news with which to fill our pages.

I am not suggesting we stop reporting on antisemitism. I am suggesting that we not allow antisemitism to dominate the narrative of what it means to be Jewish today. Let’s make our Jewish newspaper more pro-Semitism than anti-antisemitism. Let’s make sure the story we tell, especially on the front page, is overwhelmingly one of thriving Jewish life.

Sarah Rosenfeld
Pittsburgh