‘We wish the JC well: be strong, of good courage’

This is an abridged statement (full statement available online) on behalf of: Jewish Chronicle Newspaper Limited, The Kessler Foundation, The Jewish Chronicle Trust Limited

THE PAST weeks have been very difficult for the JC’s staff and all parties would like to thank them for their hard work in keeping the show on the road from home and for handling the uncertainty with stoicism.

Alan Jacobs, outgoing chairman of the JC, said: “My time as JC Chairman has now come to an end and I wish the publication every success under the control of Sir Robbie Gibb and his Consortium members. I will of course remain an avid reader and supporter of the JC and I look forward to the seeing the fruits of the Consortium’s new investment in the years ahead.

“I have previously thanked the generous individuals who have bankrolled the JC this past year. Those donors can be proud that their combined generosity allowed the JC to survive long enough to help to see off Jeremy Corbyn and friends, one of the greatest threats to face British Jewry in the JC’s existence.”

Michael Goldberg, Chair of Trustees of the Kessler Foundation, said: “The JC has been playing a central role in and for the UK Jewish community for almost 180 years. The Kessler Foundation was established through the generosity and foresight of the Kessler family almost 40 years ago to act as guardian of the newspaper. Through the Consortium, others are now picking up that responsibility. We would like to thank them for their significant investment, particularly in these troubled times, and wish the JC a long and successful future continuing proudly to represent the community with an independent voice under its new stewardship.

David Wolfson, Chair of the Jewish Chronicle Trust, said: “We have supported the process leading to the Consortium’s ownership of the JC because we believe, in the current circumstances, that to be the best way to keep the JC’s heart beating. We trust that the Consortium will maintain the high regard in which the JC has been held for the last 179 years. We wish Sir Robbie, the Consortium, and everyone associated with the JC, well: chazak ve’ematz – be strong and of good courage.”