[ LONG BEACH JEWISH LIFE | Issue 09 ]
PUBLISHER'S NOTE
In this month's issue, you'll meet Kathryn Miles, Executive Director of JFCS (Jewish Family & Children's Services). You will also hear the story of Long Beach resident Hank Snapper's family of Righteous Gentiles, who protected a Jewish family in Holland during World War II, while five Nazi soldiers lived under their roof!
We will tell you about a hit Israeli TV sitcom that manages to mine rich humor by following a Palestinian family as they navigate modern life in Israel, and we will take you to the kosher Mexican restaurant in Los Angeles that's owned by a Chopped Champion and current Top Chef contestant.
We will also share something of a deeply personal nature to me. In 1997, my wife Jeanne was diagnosed with what turned out to be a very aggressive and destructive case of multiple sclerosis. As the disease sent Jeanne along a nightmarish path that we could never have imagined, it also robbed us of even the most minimal quality of life. As the years went by, and things seemed to go from bad to worse, I found myself asking the inevitable questions, “Why Jeanne?” and “Why us?”.
It took a lot of years before I found the answer to those questions, and I found that answer in an often misunderstood story from the Old Testament. I've been urged – even challenged – to share what is a deeply personal story in these pages. And you'll find that story of Me and the Book of Job in this issue of Long Beach Jewish Life. I share it in the hope that it may answer that haunting Why me? question for at least one other reader who may be going through their own personal ordeal.
Finally, I have to say thank you once again for making Long Beach Jewish Life part of your world. Last month, more than 5,000 of you chose to download our magazine, and that helped us set another record for unique downloads! Your support constantly motivates me to make our magazine all that it can possibly be.
Warm regards,
Jonathan Strum