in-chief of the “Y Review”. This publication, tastefully got out, reflected the literary aspirations of the group. It was here that J. David Stern received his first editorial training.
PUBLISHED CAMDEN PAPER
Upon his graduation from the law school he went West and little was heard of him until his return to Camden (N. J.) as editor and publisher of the Camden Courier and The Morning Post.
Through his newspapers and by generous personal contributions he supported the various local Jewish activities. To solidify that community he once accepted the honorary chairmanship of the United Jewish Campaign.
His return to Jewish activity in Philadelphia was rather slow. The demands made upon his time by the three newspapers precluded activity in other directions. A contributor to the various Jewish funds, he remained on the periphery of Jewish communal life. Averse to personal publicity, he took a similar attitude to giving space to publicity in the Philadelphia Record which he viewed as a metropolitan newspaper. In this the Jewish institutions were no exception. At times there was the feeling in Jewish circles that The Record was “bending backward” in the paucity of space given to Jewish activity.
AGGRESSIVE ANTI-NAZI
Then came the German upset. The effect on Stern was extraordinary. Overnight The Record became one of the most militant, one of the most aggressive anti-Nazi newspapers in America. Vigorous anti-Nazi editorials were printed on the front page. The boycott of German merchandise found in Stern one of its staunchest advocates.
When Samuel Untermyer called the one-day conference in New York City to lay the foundation for the contemplated League for the Defense of Human Rights, Stern came early—was among the very first arrivals—and stayed late. Together with several other well-known names in the community, he pledged a considerable sum for Philadelphia and made a substantial contribution of his own. At the testimonial dinner tendered Samuel Untermyer that evening he was at the head table. Since then his interest in Jewish affairs has increased considerably.
Stern has a large number of friends in Philadelphia. A number of these friends helped him to acquire the Philadelphia Record. These and many others—friends and admirers in Philadelphia and throughout the country—are now united in wishing him success in his newest and greatest venture.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
