Introducing The Jewish Independent

The Jewish Independent (TJI) is a new platform for respectful debate, fresh news and original thinking about life through a Jewish lens.

TJI will function as a hub for news, analysis, opinions, and ideas about Jewish life in Australia, Israel and around the world. It will offer free twice-weekly e-bulletins, a range of editorial and multimedia content, events, and opportunities for community action.

The Jewish Independent grows out of Plus61J Media, a media platform which has served the Jewish community for the past nine years. But it is much more than a rebrand or a new website: it responds to the profound changes in the global, Jewish and media landscapes.

“A running commentary of significant events in our lives and in the world is readily available. The tools with which we make sense of it are not,” says publisher Uri Windt. “TJI will provide those tools.”

Editor Deborah Stone said TJI would challenge assumptions and seed debate within a framework of civil discourse and nuanced conversations.

“Jewish culture has a wonderful concept of ‘argument for the sake of heaven’. It recognises that there is such a thing as healthy disagreement and that we shouldn't strive for sameness but for respectful and thoughtful debate.

While TJI was in development long before October 7, Stone said the grief, hate and anger which has come to the surface with the Hamas attacks and the Israel-Hamas war has emphasised the need for layered analysis to replace sloganeering.

“We are living in a time when trust in institutions and traditional sources of information has declined, political opinion is more polarised, and the capacity for civil debate has been undermined. Media committed to respectful, independent journalism is essential to maintaining social cohesion and a healthy multicultural society.”

TJI is founded on five core values: courage, curiosity, diversity, integrity and justice. At the launch events for the new platform in Sydney and Melbourne this week, prominent public figures spoke to each of these values in an affirmation of the ethical and moral foundation of The Jewish Independent.

Former Editor-in-chief of The Age and TJI contributor Michael Gawenda spoke about the importance of quality journalism and the value of the platform, not just for Australian Jews but for broader audiences.

“There is a need for journalism that is not agenda-driven, and that publishes a wide range of views and commentary with fairness and integrity.

“Journalism is in a crisis. The old ethics seem to no longer apply. That’s why media platforms like The Jewish Independent are more important than ever—because they maintain old ethical principles of fairness, objectivity and publishing a wide range of views,” Gawenda said.

Windt says the decision to launch TJI is a result of the remarkable success of Plus61J Media in broadening communal conversation.  "Over the past nine years, we have presented fresh perspectives, we have become a haven for critical thinkers, we have entertained, and we have made ‘black and white’ issues grey befitting their complexity.”

The Jewish Independent is also committed to an active role in the Australian Jewish community, and beyond, through public programs, surveys, and regular events.

“We want to be part of a learning, growing community and learn and grow with our community,” Windt said.