Welcome to a new Chronicle look!

          As I am sure you have noticed from the first page, this printed  issue of your Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle looks very different. And as you can see on this page of samples of past Chronicle covers, our new design looks different from anything this publication has ever done since it was founded in 1921.

          We not only have a big cover photo that we hope will lead you to a big story every month. We also have a new logo, a more contemporary overall design with new headers and type fonts for headlines and stories.

          We have also slightly rearranged the organization of the inside of the issue. The opinion and letters pages are now deeper in the paper, as is done in most newspapers. That is more as it should be; first you have coverage of news and events, then you have opinions about them.

          But we intend these changes to be not just a matter of the external look of the publication. These reflect what we hope will be a new approach in content as well.

          We hope to add where and when possible shorter stories along with those of traditional length; more photographs and graphics; a regular column dedicated to the arts; a regular profile feature of an interesting community member; and generally a wider variety of stories.

          These last named changes may not happen all at once; but we will be adding them in the coming months.

          Of course, some things will remain the same — lifecycle announcements, coming community events listings and a monthly D’var Torah column. Above all, the mission will be the same. The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle will always seek

          • Foster a sense of community within the Jewish population of Wisconsin.

          • Provide information and interpretation concerning Jewish life that is not available through local and national media.

          • Create a forum for hearing those issues of a local, national and international nature that are important to Jews.

          We just hope to be doing these in more modern and fresh ways.

          And this is not the only change coming up. Watch in the coming year for a new Chronicle website that will complement the print edition with more frequently updated news, greater variety of content and versions of stories that won’t fit in the paper edition.

          So secular year 2015/Jewish year 5775-76 will be an especially exciting time at The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. We hope you join us and we welcome your comments and suggestions.