Jewish Journalism in Dark Times

Join us for a roundtable discussion exploring the transformation of Jewish
journalism during the interwar years (1918–1939) and World War II, an era of
profound upheaval. Panelists will analyze how Jewish newspapers and journals
became vital platforms for political, literary, and cultural engagement. The
discussion will highlight dramatic shifts in journalistic practices, including
evolving editorial strategies, reporting methods, and technological
innovations in format and distribution and the transnational and transcultural
elements that come to the fore during that time. Panelists will also examine
the economic pressures and opportunities that shaped the Jewish press, and
consider the influence and role of Jews as journalists within the broader
media landscape.

**Gilad Halpern** , journalist and media historian, draws on recent doctoral
research on The Palestine Post amid imperial decline and rising nationalism,
bridging professional and scholarly perspectives.**Naomi Brenner** explores
entertainment fiction in the Hebrew and Yiddish press, focusing on the
aesthetics and politics of the roman-feuilleton as a transnational literary
form.**Matthew Handelman** investigates the cultural politics of German Jewish
intellectuals and the primacy of culture in political discourse from the
Weimar Republic onward.

Central to the conversation is the role of Jewish periodicals as spaces for
cultural expression, literary experimentation, and political debate. These
publications not only documented Jewish life, but also actively shaped
identities, fostered transnational dialogue, and provided forums for writers,
artists, and intellectuals grappling with questions of survival and belonging.
This roundtable offers timely insights into journalism during a time of
crisis, illuminating enduring questions about Jews and media.

Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies

View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13936