Forgive my “Toy Story” reference, and welcome to The Jewish Link’s 400th issue! I would like to take this opportunity to briefly reflect, and also look to the future.
Looking back … all the way to 2014, when I first started with what was then The Jewish Link of Bergen County and quickly became The Jewish Link of New Jersey. That was when the paper first started covering Jewish news and events outside of Teaneck and its surrounding communities, specifically those in Essex and Union counties. (Yes, there is strong and vibrant Jewish life outside of Bergen County.) As the Essex and Union community editor it was my responsibility to get these areas into the paper, and I hope I succeeded.
From then until now, The Jewish Link has grown and flourished beyond any expectations I had that first year. As senior editor, I have had the privilege of working with amazing rabbis, school principals and administrators, shul leadership, politicians, business owners, community lay leaders and many, many other people who have allowed our communities to thrive. To date, those communities now include Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic and Union counties in New Jersey; the Bronx, Westchester and Manhattan in New York; southern Connecticut; Israel and occasionally other locations.
I have also been lucky enough to work with the very best team, and the paper would not be the same without each and every person—from our management team, to our content editors, to our production team, to our copy editors, to our advertisers, to our design team, to our social media team, to our marketing and sales staff, to our support staff and, of course, to our many writers and contributors in all communities as well as everyone else who plays a part in putting The Jewish Link in your hands each week. All I can say is “thank you.” You make this so much more than just a job.
Looking ahead … to continuing to bring you all the Jewish news throughout northern and central New Jersey, New York, southern Connecticut and Israel; and to continuing to grow and expand our reach. I am so excited about the future and look forward to sharing it with you, our loyal readers.
Because none of this would be possible without you and your support. Thank you for being a part of this journey. I can’t wait to see where the next 400 issues take us!
By Jill Kirsch
