OPINION – Leo Noé: We need a loud, proud voice more than ever
A merged business will unite the very best of both operations to create a modern 21st century print, digital and events company, says Jewish News' owner
I’m immensely proud of the positive impact Jewish News has on our community and in the corridors of power.
I never intended to own a newspaper. Circumstances put me in this position. However, the longer I’ve been chairman the more I’ve come to treasure the special place Jewish News has in the community’s heart and the pioneering projects that set it apart.
Barely a week goes by without Jewish News enriching our community. This week alone the newspaper held the Jewish Schools Awards with Partnerships For Jewish Schools and co-hosted the only Jewish hustings of the Labour leadership election.
I was exceptionally proud of last month’s powerful commemorative edition to mark the 75th anniversary of the Holocaust, featuring portraits of survivors taken by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Jewish News has accomplished so much thanks to the energy and ideas of co-publishers Richard Ferrer and Justin Cohen, but there is still much more to do.
The media industry is rapidly moving away from print, yet newspapers will continue to have a crucial role in our community for years to come. That is why the Jewish News board and I are determined to safeguard our newspaper’s future so it can continue to find new and exciting ways to engage with readers.
After many months of discussions, we have decided the most effective way to achieve this goal, while maintaining a quality, entirely independent news organisation, is to join forces with the Jewish Chronicle.
A merged business will unite the very best of both operations to create a modern 21st century print, digital and events company. This dynamic new organisation will combine the 179-year storied history and heritage of the Jewish Chronicle with the big-hearted personality innovation of Jewish News.
British Jews need a loud and proud voice today more than ever, so this new media brand will have the community’s back, while building a reputation for breaking agenda-setting exclusives of local, national and international importance. It will also deliver impactful campaigns and engaging events that get everyone talking.
This is an exciting new chapter for Jewish News, Jewish Chronicle and our Jewish community. A merger secures the future of both titles, while creating an ambitious new media brand underpinned by a shared sense of purpose and commitment to our community.
We’re delighted to invite you, the readers, to join us on this important journey.
- Leo Noé is Executive Chairman & founder of the Noé group
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
