AJN welcomes new national editor

AJN STAFF

ZEDDY Lawrence, the new national editor of The Australian Jewish News, has outlined his vision for the paper, expressing his intention to “engage, inspire, educate and entertain” the community.

He has joined The AJN team after four years as editor of the Jewish News & Media Group in the UK.

A graduate of Oxford University, the 39-year-old also studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on the British and Australian semester program.

Lawrence said: “I am truly honoured to take up this new position, having long regarded The AJN as one of the finest Jewish newspapers in the world. The esteem in which it is held, both inside and outside the community, is a tribute to the efforts of my predecessors and to the dedicated team here today. I look forward to playing my part in building on their achievements, providing the community with a newspaper that engages, inspires, educates and entertains Australian Jewry.”

Reflecting on the task ahead, he added: “We have a duty to not only reflect and report on news and opinion, but also to galvanise and shape that opinion, to be the voice that speaks both to the community and for the community.”

A former TV scriptwriter and radio journalist, Lawrence said he also relished the opportunities offered by The AJN’s online presence: “By developing quality online broadcasts, there is no doubt that we can become a major player, if not the major player, in the global Jewish media market.”

AJN publisher Robert Magid said: “I am delighted to welcome Zeddy to the team and I’m sure the community joins me in welcoming him to Australia. Given his background in Jewish journalism, I look forward to working with him and to an exciting future for The AJN, both in print and online.

“As we explore and exploit the incredible opportunities of digital technology, Zeddy’s experience across various media will be crucial in developing the multimedia content that is fast becoming a cornerstone of our business.”