My family and I want to be added to the strong chorus of people who send appreciative accolades to you and your whole staff. Mazel tov on reaching the newspaper’s 10-year milestone! This anniversary gives us a chance to congratulate you on this wonderful endeavor. I hope you realize that you achieved the goal of being a strong Jewish link. Your many talented writers and contributors bring so much to so many Jewish households. Perhaps what is so special about the newspaper is the feeling that the staff separately and together really cares about the Jewish soul.

My particular reader tradition is to look at the Israeli news first (after reading the front page). That is how I learn important news about Eretz Yisroel. You have a great handle in the way you present current news from Israel in a concise, straightforward and timely way. Local news, and even world events and happenings, are covered well and help us understand our world with respect to our Jewish heritage. These are Jewish links we very much need.

The school section is so inclusive that even as our children and then grandchildren grow through our many yeshiva day schools (nursery, elementary, high school and beyond), your paper helps us feel connected. Having had a pretty good Hebrew school education (that took place after public school each day at two Washington Heights synagogues), we learned to read and write Hebrew, daven, translate the Chumash, Dinim, Jewish history and a tiny bit of Rashi. However, I realize that it was never as intense as the yeshiva education that my own children and grandchildren are enjoying. So I use the Jewish Link to “catch up” at this late age, by reading many interesting articles and commentaries presented each week in the paper about Jewish texts I was never familiar with. Thank you, rabbis and other learned Jewish writers who bring great insight and knowledge to share with readers. I particularly respect Rabbi Dr. Wallace Greene’s often brilliant views about educational trends. All this is certainly another Jewish link.

Your paper is not afraid to tackle thought-provoking issues that concern us, including political and economic concerns. Your ads tell us of local resources and local needs. One of my favorite stops in your paper is the column that’s written by a teacher who is an amazingly funny man. I love the world according to Mr. Schmutter. We need his humorous take on life, the joyful levity and the laughs he brings. The puzzles and sports news are also fun. The columns on health concerns and wellness advice are so useful. I follow the column written by Alfred Neugut, MD, PhD with the greatest interest. I also enjoy Daniel Chazin’s hikes through local wild spaces. He is a motivational force to get us outdoors and exercising. So does our favorite marathon runner, whose column I enjoy as well. Your real estate section is also of interest as it includes local trends and those that stretch to Florida or Israel. Additionally, the travel section is a way to dream about faraway destinations, and those holiday recipes you publish are nothing less than inspiring. I also read your letters to the editor and I am proud to say you’ve even published two or three of my letters over the years! All these specialties are part of needed Jewish links.

Beyond all this, your newspaper covers historical perspectives and includes both Ashkenazic and Sephardic streams that now flow through our communities, thereby acting as a force to bring us together. In summation, keep up the good work and don’t worry. Your name was brilliantly chosen: your paper is a Jewish link. (My only difficulty is getting to read all those pages each week, but it’s fun trying.)