Thank you and Chag Sameach

March 23, 2013 by J-Wire
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After five years of publication and approaching my 72nd birthday, I have decided to shut down the J-Wire site in favour of enjoying my remaining years in this glorious city of Sydney, this wondrous Australia and of visiting far off parts of the globe remaining on my bucketlist.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all those who have supported the site with a special mention of those who contributed editorially including Fraser Beath McEwing, Isi Leibler, David Singer, Emily Gian, Michael Kuttner, Raffe Gold, Ron Weiser.

 

And to those who vented their enthusiasm through commentary and emails…thank you for your participation.

 

It has been a long and exciting journey and the years which J-Wire chronicled will be carefully archived.

 

I have particularly enjoyed the unreported co-operation with the Australian Jewish News and with other correspondents dealing with Jewish affairs. It is most satisfying that on most occasions we did not do battle with each other recognising that it was better to stick together as there are enough forces outside the community wishing to engage in activities producing negativity towards the Australian and New Zealand Jewish communities.

But all is not over. A new site is being launched which will restrict itself to op-eds and opinion pieces and include the arts

The site is www.jviews.org and I expect it to be functional within 24 hours.

Once again…thank you…and Chag Sameach.  Enjoy your Pesach.

 

Henry Benjamin

henrybenj@gmail.com

Comments

22 Responses to “Thank you and Chag Sameach”
  1. Emily says:

    Henry,

    I just came across this now, so I am glad that you have (partially) changed your mind!

    I am humbled that you mentioned me but I should be thanking you for republishing my articles.

    Kol Hakavod for all of the amazing work that you have done and for your fantastic contribution to the community. I sincerely hope that Jwire does continue, and that it receives the support it deserves.

    In the meantime, look after yourself and keep well.

    Best wishes,
    Emily.

  2. George says:

    What a great job you have done over the years. Both Margaret and I have appreciated your efforts and friendship. Let me assure you retirement is a wonderful opportunity to pursue the bucket list as you say – I can personally vouch for it. May you have a very long, well deserved and happy childhood and may our paths cross on many occasions.
    Have a great birthday,
    We will miss you in particular and J-Wire as well,

    George and Margaret

  3. Jake says:

    Hi Henry,
    Glad that you have now listened to your devoted fans and changed your mind about closing the site. We wish you and JWire continued success in the years to come.
    J,S & B

  4. Michael says:

    Hi Henry, I was great to catch up with you last week…..a lot of memories from the “rag” years…
    I notice you are going to concentrate on other than jwire….wishing you well….with that active mind of yours….Harvey

  5. Thank you Henry for supporting those within the Jewish community who frequently find themselves persecuted by their own community. I hope your actions have helped save a life, change a few narrow-minded attitudes and help make the world a better place.

    To your on-going health and happiness.

    Michael.

  6. pam says:

    Henry,

    You performed a wonderful service to our community and J Wire will be sorely missed.

    Enjoy your retirement!

  7. Peter says:

    At 72 you’re a mere puppy; premature to even think of a bucket list

    I’ve become accustomed over the years to rely on J Wire for current and important happenings in the Jewish world, esp as to Israel. Isi Leiblers contributions have neen the highlight.

    Thank you for your 5 years of intelligent and enthusiastic journalism; I swill miss J Wire, and wish you
    all the best; the world of Brdge beckons .

    Peter Strasser

  8. phil says:

    Henry
    Thanks very much for all the wonderful content you have shared!!
    mazal tov and best wishes for your Barmitxvah!!!

  9. Liat Nagar says:

    Dear Henry,
    As a relative newcomer to JWire, I have embraced it, enjoyed it, and found it utterly inspiring, as well as necessary to myself for the opportunity to engage heartily, and hopefully sometimes effectively, in Jewish issues. Kol hakevod on an important job so well done. I do realise that the work involved for you must have been immense, and you administered the site with rigour, integrity and imagination. Thank you so much for JWire. I wish you a rich and fulfilling life in everything you decide to do from hereon.
    Warmest regards, Liat

  10. Otto Waldmann says:

    Ok ,Henry you can do it ,but only if you promis that once you finished your retirement ,you re-open the site.
    You remind me of Graucho who once ran into an old friend and went :
    How is it goin’ Sol !
    Well, Sol said, I am now 72, and decided to retire, take it easy, not do much, look after myself….
    To which Graucho replied : So, you are a bum !!

    All those above said that they shall miss you. I am joining them and joining we need bcs we shall be falling apart without you…………
    I could go on and pay you more such compliments, but the one I cannot miss is that you are a great YOUNG lad !!

    Sorry for getting – once again – so personal.

    otto

  11. Ziva says:

    So sorry to see you end this wonderful site.

    Good luck in the future

  12. Ari says:

    Oh and Mazal tov for the birthday 4 x chai till 120.

  13. Ari says:

    Dear Henry,

    Mazal Tov on your successes and best wishes for the future.

    A happy Pesach to you and your family as well as the J-Wire community.

    As always, peace and happiness,

    Ari
    Brisbane

  14. Michael says:

    Thank you Henry for providing such a important and interesting website for Jews in Australia to express their views
    Have a great retirement and enjoy yourself you deserve it .

    Burdy

  15. Ian says:

    Thank you Henry.
    There was not a day on which you didn’t have something of interest. I know the love, dedication and effort you put into JWire. It will always be appreciated and remembered.
    Kol hakovod.

  16. suzanne says:

    Thank you for making J-Wire

  17. Rita says:

    Dear Mr. Benjamin,

    Where will I now be able to vent my unsolicited defense of Jews against anti-Jewish Jews and assorted ennemies of a people I admire? 😉 And, since 60 is the new 40 it follows that 72 is the new 52 – that’s YOUNG ! 🙂

    Anyway, thank you for what I suspect was a tremendous amount of work and for your generosity. May the best of your past be the worst you can expect for your future.

    I will miss J-Wire and (nearly) all its correspondents.

    Herzlichst
    Rita.

  18. Jo says:

    Kol Hakovod Henry. I will miss reading your news. All the best with your bucket list!

  19. Gil Solomon says:

    Very sad to hear that J-Wire will be shut down.
    We will all miss it.

    Henry, I wish you the very best for the future.
    Have a wonderful Pesach.

    Hope you liked the book.

  20. Michael says:

    Really sorry to see J-Wire go. Best wishes Henry.

  21. mark says:

    Congrats on all you’ve done – and best wishes on well earned retirement!
    See you in September. Best – and happy Pesach, Linda and Mark

  22. Shirlee says:

    Henry,

    I am very sad about this. Though I of all people know it wasn’t unexpected and we will all miss you.

    Just think, you won’t have me driving you meshiga 50 times daily on the phone, email or text. Now that’s something to look forward to.

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