By Barbara Bayer / Editor
“Paper here.”
That’s a text I get from my father every week telling me he received his Chronicle on time. I’m guessing he’s been a subscriber for 60-plus years.
Because my father is a loyal subscriber, I’ve loved reading The Chronicle for most of my life. When I was in BBYO I started looking at it to see what it said about my BBG chapter (hello to all you former H of Aers) and which of my friends might be mentioned. I’ve reflected in previous columns that I was disappointed I was never chosen as a Salute to Youth honoree.
I was hooked on local Jewish news. Because my dad and my mother, of blessed memory, gifted me a student subscription to The Chronicle when I was in college, I continued reading it week after week.
I eventually got a job with the paper. That was in 1988. Since then I’ve performed virtually every job for the newspaper from writing obituaries to researching candlelighting times to interviewing famous and not-so-famous people. The funny thing is I like the mundane and routine parts of the job as much as I like the more creative parts.
I’ve always said my connection with The Chronicle began a little more than 30 years ago, but while looking for images to go with this article I was reminded that my photo was first in The Chronicle along with my upcoming Bat Mitzvah announcement. I think it was at that same time one of my baby photos appeared in an ad in the “society” section, which we now call celebrations, as well.
Looking through images is when I also discovered that because I write about events and often attend them as a documentarian rather than a participant, there are very few photos of me at events. Even without photos, I will never forget many of these events.
Some were joyous. I’ve been to three events at congregations that were celebrating the completion of a new Torah. Each was different, all were festive and memorable.
Others were sad or somber. I’ll never forget the April 2014 tragedy in the Jewish community where three innocent people were murdered outside the Jewish Community Campus and Village Shalom. The crowd attending the memorial held at the White Theatre overflowed into the Campus Social Hall and the service will be embedded in my mind forever.
Almost all of our agencies have some sort of annual event, but I could not attend each one every single year. The exception I have made is the community’s Yom HaShoah commemoration. It’s a moving service that I truly believe everyone in the community should make a point to experience at least once.
Many people think I’ve been a Chronicle full-time employee for more than 30 years. In reality I’ve drawn a regular paycheck for about half of that time. Yet I’m not sure there’s even been one of those other 15 or so years that I wasn’t involved in writing a story as a freelancer, serving as a consultant or editing Jewish Life magazine or another special project. Even when I wasn’t a regular writer, readers always thought I was and would ask me about The Chronicle regularly when they would see me out and about. After I patiently listened to their great story idea, I would simply say, “Give so and so at The Chronicle a call, and tell them I suggested you call. Here’s the number.” I may be stepping away from day-to-day duties, but if you ask for my help, I’ll still give my best advice and send you to what I think is the best direction.
I knew writing this farewell column would be hard, and it has been. But I’m happy to point out that I’ll be hanging around a little longer working on The Chronicle’s 100th anniversary special edition. To those of you who work in the community that means you may continue to get emails from me with weird requests from time to time.
I believe I am leaving you in good hands. As you get to know Editor Meryl Feld, you will find she is hardworking and lives her best Jewish life. Many of you have worked with Associate Editor Marcia Montgomery for years and know she is dedicated to serving the community through this newspaper. Publisher Steve Rose, and the Rose family, is the reason The Chronicle continues to exist as an independent Jewish newspaper today.
But it’s time to say goodbye to my weekly column, to those I spoke to every single week making sure we had everything we needed for the paper, and to you, our loyal subscribers who have been so kind to me for so many years. Thank you so much for inviting me to events and helping me share the news of the community with you. It has been a privilege and a pleasure. With all my heart I say shalom chaverim, I wish you all of the best.
And Dad, after this week you won’t need to text me and let me know the paper arrived. But I know you’ll still read it. And so will I.