Two things can be true at the same time

There’s a phrase I’ve been thinking about a lot these past few weeks: Two things can be true at the same time.

Change is hard. And change can be exciting.

We can be sad to say goodbye to something familiar while also looking forward to what comes next.

We can honor the history of The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle while also recognizing that, after more than 100 years, it is time for it to evolve.

We can love The Chronicle exactly as it is and still believe that it has the potential to become something even more.

I find myself feeling all of these things.

I am incredibly excited about the future of The Chronicle. I have spent hours thinking about the magazine: what it will look like, the stories we’ll tell, the new features we’ll introduce and all of the possibilities that come with creating something new.

But at the same time, change is hard. And sometimes bittersweet.

As we publish this final issue of The Chronicle in its newspaper format, I know that a lot of our readers are, like me, feeling a lot of different emotions. As we process these emotions, here’s what I want you to know: The Chronicle is in good hands.

As the one guiding The Chronicle’s transition from newspaper to magazine, I want to assure you that I care deeply about this publication. I care about its history, its role in our community and its future. I have spent a lot of time over the past year thinking about The Chronicle, about what makes it special and what it can become.

I truly believe The Chronicle has an opportunity to become even more meaningful and important to our community. This is an opportunity many other Jewish publications haven’t been given, so I am grateful to be writing this column about the future of The Chronicle, not its ending.

I know that for some readers, none of that makes the transition from newspaper to magazine any easier. And that’s okay.

Two things can be true at the same time.

You can miss The Chronicle as you have always known it and still give the new Chronicle a chance. You can be hesitant about change and still be curious about what comes next. You can feel sad about the end of one chapter and excited about the beginning of another.

Believe me when I say I feel all of those things.

As we move forward, I promise that I will do everything I can to make this new magazine the best publication possible. I feel a great responsibility to both The Chronicle and our readers, and I don’t take that lightly.

Building something new means trying new ideas, listening to feedback and continuing to learn along the way. I hope you’ll tell us what you love and what you miss. I hope you’ll share your ideas about what you want The Chronicle to be.

Change is hard. But the future of The Chronicle is incredibly exciting. And I can’t wait to take you along on the journey.