Publisher's Note
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September 26, 2008
A Year Of Concern … And Success
Andrew A. Buerger
Publisher
A near collapse of the financial markets and a government bailout to the tune of $700 billion. A record federal budget deficit with unknown long-term impact. Declining home values and a shocked mortgage market. Skyrocketing energy prices. Quickly rising food prices and the claim that “the era of cheap food is over.” A grinding two-front war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another devastating flood, this time hammering Texas.
Locally, families involved with our Jewish day schools are struggling. Our Reform congregations –– and truth be told others — face huge challenges. And this major market correction will likely affect local giving to these non-profits and others.
In Israel, scandals have brought down a prime minister. There are fits and starts of peace talks. Gilad Shalit cruelly remains Hamas’s hostage. New elections –– with a very uncertain outcome –– are possible. The fear of a nuclear Iran mounts. Rockets, while more frightening than lethal, have rained on Ashkelon (Baltimore’s Israeli sister city) and the nearby Sderot. Fears of daily terrorism, particularly in Jerusalem, mount.
Since Rosh Hashanah last year the world and the Jewish people have absorbed these difficult headlines and more. Obviously as American Jews, if the U.S. aches, so do we. When Israelis are hurt, we feel that pain.
Still, it’s hard to imagine but despite these major challenges this actually has been a good year for the Jewish people. We must reflect on that, too, as we head to synagogue and temple –– or wherever we commune with God –– next week for Rosh Hashanah.
Locally, The Associated, our Jewish federation, just enjoyed a record haul to help meet the growing needs of our community. The Associated’s new strategic planning process known as “visioning” is retooling our structure to meet 21st century needs and funding priorities. It has not been easy, but the dividends are already being revealed financially and in services.
Meanwhile, Jewish camping is growing. Jewish day schools are educating a significant portion of our students. Synagogues are experimenting with how to attract new members. Hebrew schools are starting to get the attention they deserve.
Nationwide, our presidential candidates are fighting over who can is a better friend to Israel. Our strengths remain the envy of other ethnic groups.
In Israel, there were no “hot wars” with neighbors, as there was only two years ago. The Jewish state’s always chaotic political scene is under going a civilized democratic transition. Its stock market was one of the world’s top three performers. Not bad for a small country with no natural resources –– other than its remarkable brain power, which is making fantastic strides in medicine, high-tech, communications and the environment.
And, of course, at the BALTIMORE JEWISH TIMES we are proud of our growth in these tough economic times. You may not know it, but our iNSIDER publication –– the quickest growing part of the paper –– is overrun and stuffed into the backpacks of every pre-schooler in Jewish Baltimore. This enables us to reach young Jewish families just starting out on their path in our community.
Our investigative series continue to gain national attention and we have garnered multiple awards from different professional organizations. Our enhanced website is reaching an audience broader than we could have originally imagined. And all along, we keep bringing you the news that matters in your life.
This coming year will have its challenges, but we can never forget how the strong community so many have forged will enable us to not only survive, but thrive as the crown jewel in Jewish North America.
My warmest wishes for a year of health, success and peace.
L’shanah tovah