New Jewish Magazine: A Must-Read

I just finished reading the inaugural issue of the Jewish Review of Books, and I am in love. How can I describe it? In his welcoming introduction, the editor, Abraham Socher, contrasts his Review with the academic journals, pop-culture magazines, and special-interest newspapers that form the Jewish periodical landscape:

“We aspire to offer something different: a lively magazine of ideas and argument, criticism and commentary, written especially for intelligent men and women who believe, as I do, that Jewish subjects are worthy of attention that is serious, accessible, and occasionally even playful.” (Spring 2010, p. 4)

Amen. Finally, a magazine that offers sophisticated perspectives on important Jewish issues—and isn’t written only for rabbis. Hillel Halkin’s review of a new British prayer book gave me a lot to think about regarding WHC’s own explorations of prayer books and Mishkan T’filah. This essay by Michael Weingrad, “Why There is No Jewish Narnia,” is full of “aha!” moments for those Jews (like me) who grew up on Narnia, Tolkien, Harry Potter, or pretty much any fantasy adventure. And if you're looking for good suggestions of new Jewish books to read, the Review has dozens.

The whole first issue is free online, but I’m not waiting—I’m already a subscriber.

For Discussion: Are there any Jewish periodicals you read regularly? (Washington Jewish Week? Reform Judaism Magazine? The Forward? Commentary?)