The Australian Jewish News: A Century of Community Journalism
For over a century, the Australian Jewish News (AJN) has served as a vital record and voice for the Jewish community across Australia. From its humble beginnings in the late 19th century to its current status as a digitally integrated national publication, the AJN has evolved alongside the community it represents.
The Evolution of a Publication
The origins of the AJN date back to November 1, 1895, when it was first established in Sydney as The Hebrew Standard of Australasia under the leadership of founding editor Alfred Harris. For several decades, it served as a primary source of information for the local community.
The publication underwent significant transitions in the mid-20th century. In 1953, John Shaiak acquired the newspaper and rebranded it as The Australian Jewish Times (AJT). This era of growth continued until 1987, when Richard Pratt purchased the AJT and merged it with the Melbourne-based Australian Jewish News.
By 1990, the merged entity officially adopted the name The Australian Jewish News and transitioned to a weekly national publication schedule, ensuring that Jewish communities in every state remained connected.
Modernization and Global Partnerships
The AJN reached a historic milestone in 1995, celebrating its 100th anniversary. To keep pace with the digital revolution, the newspaper launched its online edition in 2001. Leadership shifted again in July 2007, when Robert Magid stepped in as the paper's publisher.
In October 2019, the AJN expanded its global reach by becoming a "local partner" of The Times of Israel. This partnership is particularly prestigious, as the AJN is only the second local partner outside of the United States, following the UK's Jewish News. Today, the AJN's digital presence is fully integrated with The Times of Israel and its other international partners.
Editorial Influence and Diplomacy
Beyond reporting, the AJN has engaged with international diplomacy, specifically by supporting the Abraham Accords—a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. The publication has frequently highlighted pro-Israel Arab figures, such as Emirati influencer Amjad Taha, to promote these diplomatic relations.
Key Facts
- Founded: November 1, 1895, as The Hebrew Standard of Australasia.
- National Reach: Published weekly across Australia since 1990.
- Digital Transition: Online edition launched in 2001.
- Global Affiliation: Local partner of The Times of Israel since 2019.
- Key Figures: Founded by Alfred Harris; later owned by John Shaiak and Richard Pratt; published by Robert Magid since 2007.
| Year | Event/Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1895 | Founded as The Hebrew Standard of Australasia |
| 1953 | Renamed The Australian Jewish Times (AJT) |
| 1987 | Merged with Melbourne's Australian Jewish News |
| 1990 | Became a weekly national publication |
| 1995 | Celebrated 100th anniversary |
| 2001 | Launched online edition |
| 2007 | Robert Magid became publisher |
| 2019 | Partnered with The Times of Israel |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original name of the Australian Jewish News?
The publication was originally founded on November 1, 1895, as The Hebrew Standard of Australasia.
When did the AJN become a national weekly newspaper?
The newspaper has been published weekly on a national scale since 1990.
Who is the current publisher of the AJN?
Robert Magid has served as the publisher of the paper since July 2007.
What is the AJN's relationship with The Times of Israel?
Since October 2019, the AJN has been a local partner of The Times of Israel, integrating its digital presence with the global network.
How has the AJN contributed to the Abraham Accords?
The paper has backed the relations between Israel and Arab countries by regularly featuring pro-Israel Arab figures, including Amjad Taha.