Concerned and caring JWR reader:
It's been a week since JWR was last updated. I was asked, as a close friend, to offer an explanation. Though much more "out there" than most, Binyamin still considers himself to be, he told me, a "fairly private person." He asked that what he went through last week be described publicly as a "trauma" that will require weeks -- if not months -- of multiple rehabs, a few hours each day. One of his doctors -- a self-described atheist -- told Binyamin: "Somebody Above must really love you, because [last] Friday could have been your funeral."
That would have been tragic. Not "tragic" as the term is used in the current laissez-faire talk that's bandied about. Not merely because of Binyamin's relatively young age -- he's still only in his early 40s -- and not because Binyamin touches the lives of hundreds of thousands monthly. Rather, because those who've interacted with Binyamin -- in person or virtually -- know him to be a thoroughly decent and caring person whose life goal remains to make our world a better place. He's an inspired and inspiring NON- "luftmensch". Sadly -- TRAGICALLY -- people like Binyamin are becoming increasingly more rare. JWR has what many websites today don't --- a personality. And Binyamin's is all over JWR. He's told us he views himself as a craftsman. To some the notion seems almost quaint: An individual who actually takes pride in his work. But that is our Binyamin, your and my editor and our friend. Binyamin is passionate about freedom. And religion. And freedom of religion. His values are those that made this nation great. The same beliefs that you share; that we, his readers and fans, share. Although JWR stands for "Jewish World Review" , it's anything but parochial. In the last few months Binyamin has been focusing on attacks against Christians and Christianity. He's called it an outrage that so few in the media are highlighting this sickening trend. If they won't, he told me. "This Brooklyn Jew will." Those tuning in to JWR find quality news coverage, smart analysis, inspiring articles, and unconventional (read: unpopular) yet sound positions on issues that matter. JWR informs while it uplifts, simultaneously sounding an alarm of outrage even as it entertains. Quite an accomplishment, if you think about it. The challenge now is going to be how to make sure JWR continues to function at full strength even when its "body" isn't. To do so, Binyamin is going to need assistants. Not "helpers", as he's had in the past that filled in during emergencies, but full-time workers. I've been reading Binyamin's mail - with permission - to see what others have been expressing to him. The missives have come from literally all over the world. Most guessed correctly that Binyamin's failure to publish was health-related. Readers' prayers are being offered in forums as diverse as Baha'i temples and on the 700 Club. (Binyamin requested that he be prayed for as "Binyamin Leib ben [Hebrew for 'son of'] Pesha.) The Divine will, no doubt, respond. He will do His part, but we must do ours. If you have gained from JWR or want to continue to do so --- or want others to, PLEASE click here to make a tax-deductible donation via the secure donation page. If you think you ca spare a couple of dollars a month - even the price of a coffee or a gallon of gas -- PLEASE click here . More comfortable DONATING VIA CONVENTIONAL MAIL? You can mail a donation to the sponsoring organization at:
Keren Yehoshua V'Yisroel/JWR Tax ID: 22-3209160 (Please note on the "memo line" of your check it is for the Internet educational project.) Binyamin needs us to help him help us as his readers Let's do so together united in spirit, gratitude and generosity! |