Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the new Jewish year, but this new year brought a tough break for Jewish Living Magazine. Touted a year ago as the Jewish answer to Martha Stewart Living, the glossy magazine hoped to compete in a world where it's becoming increasingly difficult for a magazine of any sort to stay afloat, let alone make a substantial profit.
The last few months has seen the folding of two Jewish magazines that I've enjoyed: Jewish Living, and American Jewish Life. Other magazines are still hanging on, but many have private funding and don't rely on advertising alone, as traditional magazines did. Of course, writers and editors are not in it for the money (or we'd be doing something else, believe us). But maybe it's just too much to try to make a profit on a magazine that appeals mostly to such a small percentage of the world population.
Magazine publishing is a tough sell to advertisers--only the names we already know as prestigious are still managing to make a go at it, and they're only succeeding by integrating online content and largely on the laurels of their reputations.
Despite the bad news and the number of print publications (magazines, newspapers, and even book presses) which fold every year, the publishing world is only mostly dead (which, as any Princess Bride fan can tell you, is "partly alive"). There's still something about holding a product in your hand, something that you've worked with or grown with, or connected with. And as a writer, there's something about having your name on a page you can touch that the internet, as a largely intangible medium, can't compete with.
As the industry evolves, we'll probably see this struggle again--the latest battle between the pragmatists, who realize that the future (and actually, the present) is online, and the poet-aesthetes who may not really fear change, but who wish that certain things would remain the same.
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I purchased the September/October issue at my ShopRite supermarket, found it among other foodie magazines. Loved it and immediately sent a check for a 1 year subscription. Check never deposited...so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones that did not lose money or subscriptions. I then thought the check got lost enroute. So, I just sent a request for subscription. Never heard anything, now I know why. Too bad, the magazine was something worthwhile.
I am looking for a Passover recipe from the magazine. It was from last year's Passover issue. Does anyone still have it? I can't find it and it is driving me nuts! The recipe I am looking for is for salmon with a mustard and olive oil glaze.
Thanks
To Laura:
I searched "salmon with mustard and olive oil" and many recipes appeared. Sorry I didn't read your post till today (well past Passover). I too believe I purchased a subscription to this magazine but only received the September issue. No word from the publishers - very disappointed. Not a very upstanding business.
I also subscribed for two years and that was in April or 2008. I rec'd a couple of issues and then no word at all. I have been a little slow on getting to this site to complain. Who got the $$$ for the issues we all didn't receive??
I would like to know why when Jewish Living folded, people with running subscriptions (I had just resubscribed for myself and two gift subscriptions to my mom and aunt) were not sent other magazines by the Publisher...this is what Publishing companies routinely do as a show of good business. I also do not appreciate the Publishers having my money for three new subscriptions, of which, we only received one or two issues..I think I will contact the Better Business Bureau, unless anyone else has a better idea? This just isn't right..we all work hard for our money.
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