With the heart of a weekly but the work ethic of a daily publication, the Cleveland Jewish News is beefing up its local coverage and expanding its role in the community.
That is quite a feat for a company celebrating its golden anniversary. The inaugural issue of the Cleveland Jewish News was printed on Oct. 30, 1964, and not a week has gone by since without an issue.
Known in Northeast Ohio as the primary source of information for the Jewish community, the newspaper has seen many changes over the years, and stands apart from many similar publications, which are owned by families, corporations or a local Jewish federation.
A reflection of the community
“We’re a true community newspaper that we like to think operates and writes for a daily audience,” says Kevin S. Adelstein, publisher and CEO. “We are completely independent of ownership. We have a board of directors that ensures our mission is carried out every day.”
Like many publishers across the globe, its parent company, Cleveland Jewish Publication Co., used the paper and its sister publications to build itself into a full-fledged media company. In addition, the Cleveland Jewish News Foundation, an independent organization that supports the mission of the Cleveland Jewish News, was formed to protect, preserve and keep the words of the Cleveland Jewish News alive for the Jewish community.
Over the years, the newspaper and its parent company have changed the way Northeast Ohio views the niche publication in print, online and in the community.
“We’ve added magazines, such as our signature award-winning publication, JStyle,” Adelstein says. “We have several digital properties such as cjn.org, Jstylemagazine.com and daily e-newsletters. We have a custom publishing division, which goes far beyond the Jewish community in which we publish and help organizations and businesses with developing tribute books as they approach significant events and milestones in the community. We also have an event division where we target and reach several niche audiences.”
Other new ventures
All of these entities fall under the Cleveland Jewish Publication Co. brand and Adelstein sees room for expansion. He admits that the company has tried things that have not worked, but says that what’s important is that the company isn’t afraid to admit failure and tackle the next challenge or innovation.
“We are not immune to the challenges facing the publishing business. In the past few years, we have complemented our print products with a robust website at cjn.org, currently going through an overhaul,” Adelstein says.
The company will dive into the ever-growing phone and tablet market with a mobile site, and the use of social media will grow as well. The publishing company also has added a free daily e-newsletter Boker Tov Cleveland (“good morning” in Hebrew).
These initiatives along with new features in the print product are centered on one goal: retaining loyal readers and introducing the newspaper’s brand to the younger generation of Jewish people in Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Jewish News 50th anniversary celebration
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.
TICKETS: General admission $50, reserved seats $150 at cjnfoundation.org in advance
Email [email protected] or call (216) 454-8300.
