I may sound like a broken record, but as I was perusing some of the articles that you, our dear readers, were clicking on this year, I didn’t remember that they’d actually happened this year. For example: Crossroads Deli was sold this past March. No really; March of this year (2024, for those of you reading on publication day).
That’s the kind of year it has been.
I had hoped, foolish person that I am, that things would have mellowed some in 2024. After all, Israel’s war with Hamas couldn’t drag on all year, right? This is why I don’t make predictions. Or gamble.
The year was bookended by the Minneapolis City Council weighing in on matters related to what’s happening in Israel. The summer was bookended by spring and fall protests on the University of Minnesota campus. And there was public school drama at St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, and St. Paul.
Through it all, our small-but-mighty editorial team (contributing writers included), has worked hard to cover ALL the things that are happening in the Twin Cities Jewish community. Here are the most-read articles each month this year:
January: Minneapolis City Council To Vote On Israel Ceasefire Resolution Monday
February: Minneapolis Deli Owner Makes Impact with Volunteer Efforts in Israel
March: Crossroads Deli Sold, Remaining Open Under New Ownership
April: Jewish Students Angry, Scared Of “Toxic” Campus Climate
May: SLP High School Apologizes For ‘Unacceptable’ Yearbook Entry
June: Controversial Job Offer Leads To Resignations From Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies Board
July: The 2024 Great Minnesota Bagel Showdown
August: Now VP Candidate, Gov. Walz Has Long History With Jewish Community
September: Sen. Kunesh Apologizes For Oct. 7 Rape Denial Claim
October: Minnesota JCC Employee Arrested, Fired
November: Activist Who Called Jews ‘Enemy Number One’ Speaking At Minneapolis Teacher’s Union Gathering
December (as of 12/17): When Jews Excuse Anti-Zionist Vitriol
I was fortunate to get a first-hand look at what’s happening in Israel this past February, meeting with people and learning from those most affected by Oct. 7 and what their life is like five months after Hamas’ attack took place:
Ready To Experience A Post-Oct. 7 Israel
Visiting The Frontline Of Oct. 7
Fixing A Country Torn Apart? These Two Have Suggestions
Israel’s 2023 Through The Lenses Of Talented Photographers
‘People Is All That We Have’; Wrapping Up An Emotional Week In Israel
Jewfolk’s Associate Editor Lev Gringauz was embedded with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas annual Holocaust educators’ trip to Europe, which resulted in these outstanding stories:
A Mezuzah Imprint, A Chance Encounter, And A JCRC Holocaust Education Trip In Warsaw
Facing Nazi Atrocities, Teachers Trace Path From Warsaw To Treblinka
Face-To-Face With The Holocaust By Bullets In The Polish Countryside
In Berlin, Teachers Grapple With Inner Workings of Nazi Machine
Teachers Find Inspiration In Prague With Son Of Kindertransport Hero
Here’s Why The Tankenoffs, Vikings, and Allianz Fund Holocaust Education In MN
Photos: Warsaw/Treblinka/Lodz, Czyzew/Holocaust By Bullets, Berlin/Sachsenhausen, Prague/Terezin
There was plenty of fun stuff, too. We got to eat a lot of bagels (See July, above), wrote about a new kosher bakery in St. Paul with historical roots to the area that spans nearly a century and a half, and we launched a live show (and subsequent podcast series), MN Mammalehs: Stories from the Tribe, which will be back in June.
The journeys we’ve been through this year are thanks in large part, to support from our community. Whether it was reading, listening, donating, commenting, or sharing, we really appreciate you being a part of our community. Your donations are vital to our ongoing success and have enabled us to reach so many of you, whether online or in real life.
Whether you read TC Jewfolk daily, catch up in our weekly newsletter, listen to our podcasts, engage with us on social media, come to our events, or any combination of those activities, you are a part of the Jewfolk community. You are the reason why we’re able to grow and get better each year. We thank you for your contributions and conversations and just generally being part of our world. We’re honored that you made us part of yours.
