Opinion: Dropping the J From JTA – Standing up for Ivanka Trump

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New York (VINnews/By Rabbi Yair Hoffman) – Once upon a time there was a news agency that specialized in news that affected the Jewish community and the Jewish world, in general. This was its mandate, and, by and large, it kept to it.  It was founded in 1917, and called the “Jewish Telegraphic Agency.”

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Now, however, it is clear to all that the JTA, or rather the STA – the Salacious Telegraphic Agency has mutated and morphed. By printing the trashy conversations of a former acquaintance of Ivanka Trump, an article penned by JTA’s deputy managing editor himself, this organization has turned itself into a mockery of what it once was.  At best, it is now slightly below the National Inquirer, and perhaps slightly above __ well, fill in the blank.

Regardless, unless and until they apologize, the term “Jewish” should be removed from its name – because it is anything but.  Here is why:

A news agency should not reprint the trash talk and conversation of a former acquaintance of a famous personality.  This is neither journalism, nor news, nor newsworthy.  Is this agency so desperate for fame and hits that they must print Vanity Fair trash talk?

Secondly, whatever happened to decency and integrity?  Is it not a Jewish value to maintain the highest standards of etiquette in societal discourse?

Is it not a Jewish value to be able to read and understand the news with our children and grandchildren?  Does the JTA really need to introduce terms and conversations that normal people would be embarrassed to have their children and grandchildren see?

One last thing.  It is a Jewish value not to oppress the convert.  Publishing such content is not just undignified, it is humiliating and demeaning.   One can hardly conceive of a more oppressive act.

Open your eyes, JTA. Republicans and their children are human beings too.  The JTA should apologize for carrying the hit piece on Ivanka Trump.  It is utterly reprehensible, and decidedly not journalism.

JTA should apologize immediately and Jewish media across the country should reconsider automatically publishing content from JTA.  Until JTA apologizes and redirects its general decline – Jewish publications should be wary.

The managing editors of Vosizneias have expressed their regret that it has given a forum to the JTA piece.

The author can be reached at [email protected]


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18 Comments
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L.H.
L.H.
3 years ago

Thank you, Rabbi Hoffman. There also needs to be guidelines or Rabbanim for Jewish sites regarding lashon hara and motzei shem ra – with the comments too. Just because someone is famous does not mean one has to badmouth them – this goes for politicians too. Although the laws of lashon hara are laxer regarding non- Jews, it could lead to the more severe aveira of speaking lashon hara about Jews.

Last edited 3 years ago by L.H.
PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
3 years ago

Oh, it is an opinion piece. I wish it had been labeled as such.

Democrats support Jew haters and terrorists.
Democrats support Jew haters and terrorists.
3 years ago

The JTA is just another left wing rag propaganding for the democrat party.

e.g.
e.g.
3 years ago

A lot of the news is not worthy to share with our children, OTOH,it is impertive that we teach our children to be skeptical of each and every article and put it to the Torah test.To identify the author and goals/spin of each article. In this case the article is about a pro palestinian who has an agenda against an old “friend” (with friends like that who need enemies). Children must be taught that not everything written can be relied on as truth or significant or worthy of our attention- even on “kosher” sites.

Shlomo
Shlomo
3 years ago

Excellent. I have waited for such a statement. This problem we have is not only concerning this publication.many ,or better, many jewish outlets, papers, websites are spreading lashon hara. Not always out of bad intentions, but sometimes out of a feeling to be on the right side of history. Thank you for such a clear statement against such behaviour.

PaulinSaudi
PaulinSaudi
3 years ago

“Nevermind”I am wrong. It was labeled. Sorry about that.

Phineas
Phineas
3 years ago

Have to agree. Article was gratuitous and a convert’s past should not be raised. This is about halacha, not Ivanka.

elyeh
elyeh
3 years ago

Thank you Reb Hoffman.

Joseph moskowitz
Joseph moskowitz
3 years ago

Perhaps JTA Never had so many people and frum kids reading their op ed until this opinion piece was published.

Facts Rule
Facts Rule
3 years ago

Excellent, Rabbi. God bless you & yours to continue strength to strength, physically & spiritually.

Stam Misha
Stam Misha
3 years ago

“democrat” and “orthodox jew” are two opposites
we are simply not left with a 3rd option these days.

When democrats slander one of us they slander all of us

Anonymous
Anonymous
3 years ago

From the JTA’s About page:
“Our organization has no allegiance to any specific branch of Judaism or political viewpoint.”

The so-called three streams of Judaism, Orthodoxy, Conservative and Reform, already distort what it means to be Jewish.

Add to that: heretical Zionism, “Modern Orthodoxy” and its logical conclusion “Open Orthodoxy”, and you can easily see how the JTA can consider itself “Jewish” no matter what it “prints”.

Perhaps Rabbi Hoffman can write an article about the above, how “Jewish” means Torah-compatible and nothing else. This would, presumably, create a much better awareness of what is and isn’t Jewish than this JTA issue.

Yudele
Yudele
3 years ago

Another hit piece by Hoffman against the Democrats and anyone who dares to stand up against trump. Using the same ‘talmudic’ logic, why does VIN carry JNS hit pieces and articles about ‘Heshy’ and Hikind as they attack others without merit? Open up your eyes. Look at how trump is taking us to the brink, as a Lame Duck.