Editor's Corner: What Matters to YOU?

If you're reading these words, you belong to a very special group. Let me explain why:

Our Jewish community in Charlotte is estimated at about 20,000 households. Then there’s a subset of those households that receive The Charlotte Jewish News — about 4,600 homes (and businesses). Of course, we have to assume that not everyone who receives the paper reads it, so you belong to that subset as well. And in the subset of that subset are the readers who find themselves on page two, reading my column.

So, if you're here, still with me, you're part of an especially engaged and committed subset. You're someone who deeply cares about our Jewish community and values the information and connections that The Charlotte Jewish News provides. For that, I thank you.

Our paper has grown to anywhere between 36 and 48 pages depending on the month, and it’s likely that you don’t read it cover to cover, page by page. More likely, you skip around to areas that are especially relevant and interesting to you. And that is especially important for me to keep in mind, as its editor.

I was reminded of that diversity of interests last month when I watched the first of our presidential debates. The moderators framed each question from the voters’ perspective, introducing each question with some version "The voters want to know…" or "The voters are concerned about...," covering a range of topics. But what I noticed was that different friends leaned forward, listening more attentively and with more interest in different questions. The viewer who hushed the room to hear about immigration was the same one who used the question about the economy to refill their drink. One leaned forward to hear the candidates’ answers regarding abortion but checked out when the conversation centered around the environment.

It struck me: our Jewish community, like the voters whose concerns were the topics of debate, has diverse interests and priorities. Though we are still one community (perhaps more united and in step with some of our concerns and interests than at this time last year); as individuals our Jewish journeys are unique.

This prompts me to ask: What matters to YOU?

Is it antisemitism? Safety and security? Israel? Deepening your spiritual path? Passing on Jewish identity to your children and grandchildren?

My hope, and if you're reading this, my assumption, is that you read the paper because in some way it addresses that which most matters to you. Under the umbrella of Celebrating Jewish Life, the purpose of the paper is to “represent, inform, and engage” its readers. I want to ask you to reflect: Does the paper represent the priorities and interests that matter most to you? Is it valuable in informing you about the issues and topics you care about? Does it serve as an effective tool to engage you with those interests and our broader Jewish community? Your responses to these questions are crucial as we strive to fulfill our mission and ensure The Charlotte Jewish News remains a vital resource for all our readers. Our paper is like a three-legged stool, supported equally by the Jewish agencies, our advertisers, and you, our readers. Each leg is crucial for our stability and growth. For the past four years, I've worked diligently to strengthen two of these legs: helping agencies communicate their messages effectively and assisting advertisers in creating successful campaigns to reach new customers and clients. Now, it's time to focus on you, our dedicated readers.

Over the past four years, we've been expanding our reach beyond print, venturing into social media, blogs, our website, the new Chai-Lights newsletter announcing upcoming community events, and even a Jewish careers page. Our vision moving forward has two key components: to ensure our current and future initiatives truly resonate with and meet your needs and to extend our reach, inviting the estimated 15,000 additional Jewish households in our area to join us in Celebrating Jewish Life.

To achieve these ambitious goals, we need your engagement and support to shape our efforts and help us grow. We're asking for your help in three key areas:

Financial support: Currently, fewer than 5% of our readers contribute annually. While our paper is free to read, it’s not free to produce. Though our advertisers are generous, we have limited ad space. Your contributions help fill this gap. Please return the enclosed envelope or visit our website to make a secure donation.

Engagement: Stay connected with us by reading our blog, signing up for our Chai-Lights newsletter (found at the bottom of our home page), and following us on social media for exclusive content.

Feedback: We value your opinion. Please take a moment to complete our short survey, which will help us understand what matters most to you and shape our future content.

Visit www.charlottejewishnews.org to easily contribute, engage, and provide feedback.

Our community is strong, and this paper is its mirror. As readers, you're an essential leg of our three-legged stool. Your support ensures we continue to reflect and serve our vibrant Jewish community.

Thank you for your continued readership and support. With your input and engagement, we can ensure The Charlotte Jewish News remains a dynamic, relevant, and inclusive platform for our entire Jewish community.