Heritage has a new publisher

Heritage Florida Jewish News has had a second change of ownership in its 48-year history. Laura Ossin purchased the paper on Nov. 30, 2024, from its publisher, Jeff Gaeser.

Ossin grew up in the Dr. Phillips area. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in communications and public relations she moved to Winter Park for work. She later met her husband, Lee Ossin, and moved to Maitland where they now reside.

If the name Ossin sounds familiar to some that's because Lee is the son of Myrna and Archie, Z"L, Ossin. The Ossin family have lived in central Florida since 1969.

She is well-suited to take over the Heritage. For the last 10 years Ossin has worked for Central Florida businesses in marketing and social media.

"I have spent the last three years at Disney where I most recently led the social media strategy and activation team for the Consumer Products segment," she said.

Why did Ossin decide to buy a community newspaper?

"It has always been a goal of mine to leave the corporate world and own a business. It's such a rare opportunity to own an established business that is almost 50 years old. I love that this paper is a connection to the local and Jewish community, and that we can make an impact with this business. It also aligned so well with my skills and experience that it felt like the perfect match."

Gene Starn founded the Heritage in 1976. It was well received in the community and had won five Florida Press Association awards in its first six years. Starn had to sell the paper due to health issues. Gaeser, only 25 at the time, bought the paper in 1982 with the encouragement of many influential leaders in the community. The Heritage has run successfully under his ownership for 42 years, and has earned 49 more Florida Press Association awards - including four first-place wins.

And now it's time to turn the page.

What are Ossin's plans for the future of the Heritage?

"My goal is to expand our local news including highlighting Jewish-owned businesses, events, culture, programs, and overall keeping the community more connected. And we will always continue providing our subscribers with national and international Jewish news and community updates!"