From the Editor's Desk: Looking back and moving forward

May 14, 1982, is a day that I will never forget. That's the day I took ownership of the Heritage Florida Jewish News from the former owner, Gene Starn. I was 25 years old with an advertising degree from UF and a couple of years of experience under my belt, working for the Florida Alligator and the Orlando Sentinel. I had huge aspirations of turning the then eight-page Heritage into one of the largest Jewish newspapers in the country.

After struggling for those first six months - trying to pay bills, attempting to resolve disputes among Jewish organizations and dealing with constant turnover within my staff - I had had enough. I put the Heritage up for sale. Problem was, nobody wanted to buy it.

It was at that point I figured out that in order to survive, I would have to do something different. What saved me and the paper were those small-type legal notices you see in the back of the Heritage that you probably throw away as soon as you get it. Without them, the Heritage would have gone out of business many years ago. We began to specialize in publishing legal notices and at one time, Heritage published more legal notices than any newspaper in Central Florida and more than any Jewish newspaper in the entire country.

I am proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure at the Heritage. For more than 42 years, despite hurricanes, equipment breakdowns and absent workers, we always got the paper out each week. But I couldn't have done it without my loyal staff who have worked so hard to bring you the best newspaper possible.

Because almost all of Heritage employees have worked part-time, we have employed more than 100 people during the life of the paper. I have had many great workers over the years, but none better than the ones I have now. My current staff has been with me for many years and I owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

David Lehman, who holds many hats as office, production and legal manager has worked at the Heritage for more than 25 years and has never let me down.

Chris DeSouza, news editor and an award-winning writer, is one of the reasons Heritage has won 49 additional Florida Press Awards while I have been publisher.

Kim Fischer, associate editor, has contributed greatly by performing various office duties and sharing her extensive knowledge about the Jewish community.

Gil Dombrosky has pasted up and proof-read thousands of legal notices and could always be counted on.

I will miss working with them, but I know the newspaper will be in good hands under the new leadership of Laura Ossin. Laura has an extensive background in public relations and communications and has the knowledge and know how to take Heritage to new heights.

I want to thank all the advertisers, subscribers and individuals who have continuously supported me and the Heritage. Without them, we would have never been able to survive almost 50 years. Special thanks to Burt Chasnov, of Blessed memory and Stan Roberts, who through their encouragement, made me believe I could publish a successful Jewish newspaper.

It has been an honor and privilege publishing the Heritage these past 42 years and I look forward to seeing it flourish in the years to come.