Every “brick and mortar” business still in existence is battling several dragons, including the economy, shopping malls and the Internet. And now The Jewish Week, whose own existence hinges on the financial support of local advertisers, is promoting the purchase of products on the Internet.
Tamar Snyder’s piece highlighting new items and seder plates was very nicely written, and the items she featured were well chosen (April 8). The locations for their purchase, however, were all online sites. Not one brick-and-mortar store was mentioned as a potential source for their purchase. I’m sure many other papers are guilty — if that’s the appropriate word — of perpetrating the same insensitivity.
I think it behooves everyone at the paper to assess this situation. One of your goals is to provide a newspaper for your readers each week, and I believe that advertisements from local businesses figure prominently. Please consider this the next time you offer online sources for your featured pieces. Will your readers be driving to Amazon.com on a Friday afternoon for a bottle of wine for Shabbat lunch? They might have to if the local liquor store is no longer in business.
When a prominent newspaper subliminally and overtly promotes the Internet, the long-term consequences can be dire.
Toni Nayowitz, Owner
Judaica House, Ltd.
Teaneck, N.J.
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