About – J.

J. The Jewish News of Northern California traces its history back to 1895, when it began publication in San Francisco as the Emanu-El. Today we are a nonprofit publication with a website that reaches more than a million people each year and a biweekly print edition that serves nearly 20,000 homes throughout Northern California.

See our full staff and board list here.

J. covers the full range of what it means to be Jewish today — from the arts to religion, food, lifecycle events and news of our local, national and global communities. Our talented staff writers cover the local community in depth, augmented by a stable of skilled, seasoned freelancers. We strive to fill J. with the diverse voices that characterize our vibrant Jewish community, to present a wide range of views through op-eds and letters from our readers, and to engage the reader in the kind of lively debate that enriches and defines Jewish life.

Our mission

J. The Jewish News of Northern California informs, connects and strengthens the region’s diverse Jewish community by producing high-quality journalism through the lens of Jewish experience.

Our vision

J.’s vision is to strengthen Jewish identity and purpose, helping to build a strong, engaged and committed Jewish community.

Our values

EXCELLENCE: J. strives for journalistic excellence, as defined by accuracy, integrity, depth, transparency, sensitivity and accountability in our reporting.

INDEPENDENCE: J. is an independent nonprofit news organization. We maintain editorial independence and operate with financial transparency to build trust and ensure long-term sustainability.

COMMUNITY: J. recognizes the diversity within the Jewish community and aims to represent the whole megillah of Northern California Jewish life across generations.

IDENTITY: J. embraces the role the State of Israel plays in the vibrancy and identity of the Jewish people.

CONNECTION: Fostering civil discourse and mutual understanding within the Jewish community and with the broader society, J. facilitates meaningful dialogue, celebrates achievements and addresses challenges with care and respect.

INNOVATION: Embracing technology and creative approaches, J. aims to keep journalism engaging, accessible and relevant to the next generation of readers.

Editorial Independence

J. The Jewish News of Northern California (“J.”) subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News.

• J. has full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization.

• J. accepts gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgment is made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions. J. prominently labels sponsored content.

• J. does not give favored treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests, and resists internal and external pressure to influence coverage.

• J. makes public all donors, both in print and online, each calendar year. Logos also appear for any donor over $25,000.

• J. may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Thank you to our funders

J. is proud to be supported by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation, a number of foundations and individual donors. Click here to see a list of our major donors. J. The Jewish News of Northern California is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Click here to donate.

If you are not already a subscriber to the print edition, we’ll be happy to give you four issues free. Or just go ahead and start your print subscription.

Financials

Several years of J.’s most recent IRS Form 990 can be downloaded here: