A Living Lens: Rockville, Md.

Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
I had the privilege to be introduced by Herman Taube, a longtime contributor to the Forverts. In his short speech, Taube — a prolific poet — told the audience that his relationship with the paper began on April 18, 1947, four days before its fabled 50th anniversary (see above picture).
As Taube and his wife, both refugees from World War II, disembarked from the S.S. Ernie Pyle, they were approached by a young writer named Isaac Metzker, who asked to interview them. Taube noticed Yiddish letters on the paper stuffed in Metzker’s pocket, and he asked the newspaperman what sort of publication it was. The rest, as they say, is history: Taube contributed to the Forverts for next 60 years.
Alana Newhouse, the Forward’s Arts & Culture editor, is touring the country, speaking about her new book, “A Living Lens: Photographs of Jewish Life From the Pages of the Forward.”
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
