A new day has dawned at both the Connecticut  and Massachusetts Jewish Ledgers — and we couldn’t be more excited!

On January 1, 2022, the two venerated New England publications joined forces to create the Southern New England Jewish Ledger. 

The first of its kind in New England, the new global Ledger publication will serve the Jewish communities of Connecticut, and Western and Central Massachusetts, covering Jewish news throughout the region, North America, Israel and the world. 

The launch of the Southern New England Jewish Ledger is made possible by 20/20 Media, a new full-service publishing and marketing concern based in West Hartford, Connecticut that, as of January 1, 2022, acquired the Connecticut Jewish Ledger and the Massachusetts Jewish Ledger.

Tom Hickey, president of 20/20 Media and a founding partner of WeHa.com, welcomed the Ledger to the 20/20 Media family with open arms.

“For almost 93 years, the Ledger has been a strong voice for the Jewish communities of Connecticut and Massachusetts,” said Tom in announcing the purchase. “It has invigorated and supported Jewish life locally, throughout North America and around the world, and it has opened and reinforced lines of communication with other local communities and communities of faith, helping to unite us all. We are grateful for this opportunity to now be a part of that long and distinguished legacy.”

Of course, there’s more to the Southern New England Jewish Ledger than just a name change. In the coming months readers will see a slew of improvements designed to enhance the paper and further serve the community.  

A quick flip through the pages of this issue reveals the first of those improvements: An updated and stylish new look. 

In addition, the Ledger will switch from a weekly to a bi-weekly schedule, publishing online every other Tuesday.

Of course, for those who will miss their weekly dose of Jewish news — not to worry! This month the Ledger introduces JL TODAY — a weekly online update of breaking news of interest to the local community, designed to complement the Ledger.

In addition to Tom Hickey, who takes over as publisher, the new publication will be headed up by the same accomplished team of experienced professionals who have guided the Connecticut and Massachusetts Jewish Ledger. They include: Judie Jacobson (Editor-in-Chief), Stacey Dresner (Associate Editor), Hillary Pasternak Sarrasin (Digital Media Manager) and Chris Bonito (Creative Director/Graphic Designer), as well as a team of advertising representatives and event coordinators.

“These are exciting times at 20/20 Media. We’ve got all sorts of exciting projects in the works that aim to enrich our community, and the new Southern New England Jewish Ledger is now among them. We encourage everyone to stay tuned,” says Tom, who take over as publisher of Southern New England Jewish Ledger.

In purchasing the Ledger, 20/20 Media ensures the continued publication of Connecticut’s only statewide Jewish newspaper. Founded in April 1929 by the late Sam Neusner and the late Rabbi Abraham Feldman, the Ledger is one of the oldest Jewish weekly newspapers in North America. 20/20 Media purchased the Connecticut and Massachusetts Jewish Ledgers from Hartford area businessman and philanthropist Henry Zachs, who has owned it for the past seven years eight years.

The community is invited to share thoughts and comments with the Ledger by emailing Southern New England JL Editor-in-Chief Judie Jacobson at judiej@jewishledger.com.