I have received numerous letters asking how this newsletter came to be, so I am devoting my Editor's Comments this month to a brief history of the Gantseh Megillah. Our original Web site included a story about the Catskill Mountains resort area in New York State. Yiddish expressions were strewn throughout the piece, which added to its flavour. Since many readers are not familiar with the language, my partner Arnold suggested I add a list of definitions.

Email from people around the world rolled in. People commented not so much on the story, but on the list of Yiddish words. Some letters even included suggestions for additions to the list. New entries were made and the Glossary of Yiddish Words and Expressions you see today was born.

The Internet worked like magic. I never expected so much personal connection from a simple list of words. One morning I received an email from Debra Edery, who lives in Connecticut. Deb told me she was an activities director for a residence of elderly Jewish people. For the most part, her group was unmotivated and seemed incapable of reaching out and interacting with each other in a personal way.

Deb tried an experiment. She made copies of the Glossary of Yiddish Words and Expressions and passed them out to the members of her group. The ordinarily subdued seniors read the list. Looking at the Yiddishisms, their eyes brightened up and smiles appeared on their faces. Suddenly they began talking animatedly with each other about words they recognized and expressions members of their families had used so many years ago. Time melted away as they remembered and argued usages and pronunciations.

Deb's experience warmed my heart and reminded me that our efforts often produce unexpected results. Over time, we became friends and a year or so later, she suggested I consider publishing an online newsletter dealing with Yiddishkeit.

In November 1999, we published the first newsletter sans title. It was our intention to encourage our subscribers to play an active role in the development of the project. Readers suggested names and then we held a vote for the most popular. The Gantseh Megillah won by a landslide.

Initially, the Megillah was a monthly compendium of stories and news articles culled from other sources. Over time, Megillah family members offered to share their writing talents with us, and the newsletter evolved into an unwieldy journal of original articles, news clippings and commentary. We opted to establish the Weekly Megillah to distribute time-sensitive news stories while the monthly edition continued to concentrate on original material of interest to our community.

In November of 1999, the subscriber list for the Megillah numbered around 65. Today, I am proud to report there are over 1,200 members in our Megillah family! I stress "Megillah family" because family is what you have become. You have shared with me news of your own families, stories both happy and sad, and you have expressed opinions and views on many topics. Please continue to submit original articles and stories because all our monthly columnists began as subscribers. The Gantseh Megillah is truly a creation of its readership, and Arnold and I are just its facilitators.

The greatest endorsement of all is when current Megillah members spread the word to their friends and loved ones and encourage them to join as well. This is the clearest indication you have taken the Megillah to heart and made it a part of your lives, and we thank you for your support and confidence.

That's the whole story, or as we prefer to say, the Gantseh Megillah. Now you know how and why we exist. Naturally, if you have any further questions, feel free to contact us. Always remember this is your newsletter and the more you participate the more it will reflect who you are. At this time of trouble and turmoil in Israel and the rest of the world, it is more important than ever for us as a community to stick together. It is our hope that the Gantseh Megillah helps in this endeavor.

Much love to all of you,
Michael
Editor