MARCH 11, 2021 – 27 ADAR 5781 JEWISH JOURNAL VOL 45, NO 16 JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG JOURNAL LAUNCHES $200,000 EPSTEIN-LITCHMAN FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN JOURNAL STAFF REPORT along with the community’s support, will provide not only the financial security we need to sustain our mis- Inspired by a challenge from philanthropists Arthur sion but also to allow us to be there for our readers in J. Epstein and Bryna Litchman, The Jewish Journal has even more ways, whether that be through enhancements begun an unprecedented $200,000 fundraising campaign to our website, or providing breaking-news coverage to to help sustain the publication for the future. The mar- expose acts of anti-Semitism, or reaching more members ried couple has generously agreed to donate $100,000 to of our community and others who have an interest in it the Journal if the publication can raise $200,000 by July through social media. Steve Rosenberg and the Journal’s 15, 2021. staff have done a tremendous job keeping us informed “I believe that the Jewish Journal serves as the connec- and connected, and I know that, with this gift, the Journal tor of our North Shore and larger Jewish community, and will be able to have an even greater impact.” we all need to invest in its sustainability,” said Epstein. Over the last year, the Journal has provided compre- A native of Malden, Epstein spent most of his adult hensive coverage of the health and economic impact life on the North Shore. He began his professional career COVID-19 has had on the Jewish and interfaith commu- with Midas Muffler in 1966, ultimately holding the most nity, and its institutions. It has also covered the disturb- franchises in New England and winning numerous ing rise of anti-Semitism, while also focusing on area awards for his service. He is one of the most respected temples, Jewish education at Epstein Hillel and other and supportive community leaders and has contributed programs such as the Lappin Foundation’s initiatives. his time, expertise, leadership and resources to several The paper serves Greater Boston, and is mailed to more local institutions. In Salem, he funded the creation of the than 100 cities and towns in Massachusetts, and to sub- Epstein Center for Behavioral Health at the North Shore scribers in dozens of states. Medical Center, and in Marblehead, the Epstein Hillel Journal Board of Overseers members Matthew Swartz School – the area’s Jewish day school – is named for him. and Howard Rich are serving as co-chairs of the his- Epstein is fond of saying that he invests in people, toric fundraising campaign. They called it a remarkable and his respect for and confidence in Jewish Journal opportunity to solidify the Journal’s future. “We need Publisher and Editor Steven Rosenberg is evident with the whole community’s support to contribute and help this challenge. reach our goal of raising $200,000. I’m confident that we “I believe in communication and I think that the Arthur J. Epstein and Bryna Litchman will reach a level of solvency and sustainability that is Jewish Journal is an essential part of our Jewish com- essential in order to continue to serve the community,” munity. It informs us about the latest local news, and Journal. The funds we raise now will serve as a bridge to said Swartz, a Swampscott resident. about the JCC, the Epstein Hillel Jewish day school and the immediate period after COVID-19, and to the years Howard Rich, of Marblehead, who is a close friend the synagogues. It is a link that holds the community ahead,” said Steven Rosenberg, the Journal’s publisher of Epstein and Litchman, praised the couple’s commit- together,” said Epstein. and editor. “We will be able to bolster our journalism, ment to the community. Rich believes this is an essential The Journal, which began publishing in 1977, is the website and social media presence and also provide fundraising campaign. “This is what we need to do to largest Jewish paper in New England – mailed free to over wider coverage of the area. Most importantly, it will allow keep going through this period, and until the economy 10,000 homes every other week. Over the last year, it has us to continue to print our paper, and mail it for free to recovers. The Journal’s high-quality level of journalism faced significant economic challenges during the coro- our dedicated readers. And it will allow us to continue to is extraordinary, and it is read widely allowing people to navirus health emergency – with its major source of rev- connect the community, which is an essential part of our connect to the community,” said Rich. enue, advertising, dropping over 35 percent. Still, while mission.” other Jewish papers in major cities such as New York and “Arthur and Bryna’s generosity has truly inspired us The Jewish Journal is a registered nonprofit and all Los Angeles dropped their print editions, the Journal has to think about how we can do more to inform, educate, donations are tax deductible. Donations can be mailed continued to print and remain a free publication – mostly and connect our community, to strengthen the ties that to The Jewish Journal, P.O. Box 2089, Salem, MA. 01970, because of loyal advertisers, donations from readers, and keep us together, and to reach more readers who share or made on our website at jewishjournal.org. For more a committed staff. our love of the Jewish North Shore,’ said Johanna Matloff, information, call 978-745-4111 or write to rosenberg@ “This is an historic fundraising campaign for the president of the Journal’s Board of Overseers. “Their gift, jewishjournal.org. After elected official’s anti-Semitic slur, Lowell’s Jews urge tolerance By Steven A. Rosenberg necting a Jew with finances, went JOURNAL STAFF unchallenged by guests and the pro- gram continued on for another 85 LOWELL – What does a Jewish minutes. community do after one of its elected On Feb. 26, Hoey announced his School Committee members calls a resignation. While local Jews wel- former city employee a “kike” on live comed his departure from city gov- TV? ernment, area Jewish leaders – led That’s the question many are ask- by Rabbi Robin Sparr, of Temple ing in Lowell, after Robert Hoey Jr. Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley in appeared on a public access show and Lowell – called for Lowell to swiftly uttered a slur about the school depart- implement anti-bias training for all ment’s former chief financial officer. city officials and employees. To date, “We lost the kike, I mean the Jewish there’s been no announcement of guy. I hate to say it but that’s what peo- such plans by the city. ple used to say behind his back,” said “It’s a bit disappointing. As far as Hoey, on Feb. 24. The slur, which also Former Lowell School Committee member Robert Hoey Jr., left, on the TV show “City Life.” continued on page 15 repeated an anti-Semitic trope, con- Hoey resigned after using an anti-Semitic slur on the program. SMART PRODUCTS. COMPETITIVE RATES. METRO HAS A MORTGAGE FOR YOU! Call 877.MY.METRO or click MetroCU.org. NMLS #198524 The Jewish Journal is a nonprofit newspaper supported by generous readers, committed advertisers and charitable organizations. Email [email protected]. 2 THE JEWISH JOURNAL – JEWISHJOURNAL.ORG – MARCH 11, 2021 COMMUNITY NEWS How is school going this year during the coronavirus pandemic, as far as attending GENERATION either in-person, hybrid, or remote? I never pictured the trek to school would be the five steps between my bed and my desk. It certainly wasn’t the senior year I envisioned, but we’re all just trying to make the best of it. School itself is going smoothly with the exception of Z sporadic Internet crashes. Within my school district, I’m especially thankful for our athletic department and coaches for their tireless work in making sure our sports season could take place. If nothing else, I was hoping for a somewhat normal senior season as a cross country captain, which I got. I have also taken leadership roles as the president of the National Art Honors Society and the secretary of my school’s Environmental Club, which meet regularly via Zoom thanks to the dedication of faculty advisers. I’ve found that the fluster of school hasn’t stopped, we’ve just found cre- ative ways to engage in the things we normally would in order to work around the pandemic. Do you have any college plans, and if so, what you would like to study? I guess the one positive part of the pandemic was avoiding this question at family gatherings! I’m 17, and choosing a major that will potentially lay the ground for the rest of my life terrifies me. However, I am interested in writing. In my opinion, whether it’s black and white print or the virtual illumination from our 21st century devices, literature never fails to shine through. The words migrate to our minds and send us to new places, silently scream at us, and allow us to grow in the sequence of turning pages. This is what great literature has done for me, and it’s exactly what I want to do for others. My love for writing unintentionally translated into a collection of business plans piling up on my desk. I found the creativity that is present in literature stretches past merely reading and writing and fostered my passion for business, specifically entrepreneurship. I fell in love with the imaginative, innovative process that falls behind design- EMMA KEITH, 17 ing a business.