Jewish World Review


Dear loyal JWR reader:

When I announced last week that I would be shortly making an appeal, a number of readers offered their input. I had to laugh when — get this! — a self-described expert tried to convince me that in order to succeed in this terribly depressed market, I should hire a fundraiser to write what's supposed to be a personal letter.

Another correspondent actually wrote that my past letters don't sound "corporate" enough. "Pretend that you are much bigger than you are," he advised. "Everybody wants to think of themselves as part of something big."

Needless to say, I haven't listened. Should I fail at my undertaking I guess my inbox will be loaded with missives telling me: "See, I told you so!"

So, this note is not going to be slick. Sorry, it just isn't me. It is, however, going to be heartfelt.


As hokey as it may sound, I created JWR almost 11 years ago to make a difference.

JWR encourages goodness while at the same time informs. How, I'm often asked, can we in one section discuss lofty ideas and in the next involve ourselves with politics and the Big Issues of the day. Those who ask similar questions buy into the notion that People of Faith — all faiths — who work on refining their personalities and character are inevitably dull and gullible. How ridiculous!

JWR remains among the oldest non-corporate sites on the web. This, because, in all of my humility, it's a great read. We inspire as well as entertain. We inform as well as amuse. And, of late, we also distract --- with features that, when so much seems so wrong with the world, get you to smile.

But you know all of that already.

The real question, I suppose, is: Do you care?

I'm willing to wager that the answer is a resounding "YES!".


It takes A LOT to run JWR: Time, resources and mental energy.

After 11 years, JWR is still a one-man-show, though I'd very much like to get a staff. At this point, however, I'd just like your partnership in allowing the site to continue to improve; to allow me to continue to serve you.

Yes, I know times are hard. But think about how much JWR means to you.

It's hard to quantify knowledge. It's even harder to quantify inspiration. How much is JWR's push to make you a better person and a more informed citizen worth? PLEASE ask yourself how you would feel if too many folks just took JWR for granted. That's NOT a hypothetical.

PLEASE don't be one of them.

I'm certain you won't be.

You can make a tax deductible charitable contribution of ANY amount -- and given the financial situation, we do mean ANY amount -- through our secure online form or by making out a check and mailing it to the sponsoring organization at:

Keren Yehoshua V'Yisroel/JWR
125 Carey St.
Lakewood, New Jersey 08701

Tax ID: 22-3209160

Please note on the "memo line" of your check it is for the Internet educational project.

In SINCERE gratitude and friendship,

Binyamin L. Jolkovsky,
Editor in Chief