Sent on my way with a notebook . . . and an A-Z

Jewish Telegraph, June 2022

Jewish Telegraph deputy editor Mike Cohen had just celebrated his fifth anniversary as a reporter at the paper when he was given his biggest assignment . . . to head to Glasgow to find news for our fledgling Scotland edition
MY wife and I have turned into one of those couples who start every sentence to our 16-year-old daughter with “in the old days . . .”.
And one of the things that makes us say “in the old days” is the sat-nav. We try to explain to our daughter how every journey would be made with an A-Z on our laps.
Nowadays, sat-navs make journeys effortless — except when they inexplicably take you into an industrial estate.
So 30 years ago, I was told by editor Paul Harris in midweek that the Jewish Telegraph was launching a Scotland edition . . . that Friday.
I was given my orders, handed an A-Z and sent on my merry way with the addresses of all the Jewish communal organisations, along with my notebook and a camera.
I would also rely on each person I interviewed to give me some rough directions to my next port of call.
Also, bear in mind, that this was in the days before mobile phones, so I had to make frequent stops at public phone boxes to keep the Manchester office aware of my movements and also to pass on story tips to our then chief reporter Doreen Wachmann in Manchester.
I have to say, the friendliness of the Glaswegians was incredible.
They were reeling from the news that the Jewish Echo had closed just days earlier, but were delighted that we had taken it upon ourselves to launch a Scottish edition.
I was made welcome at every port of call.
It amazed me that this community of a few thousand had so much going on.
That Thursday evening was extra special as the first Glasgow edition came off the presses.
I thought it would be a short-lived venture as we were having to rely on Manchester staff, but once we found Glasgow-based staff, it made me realise we were there to stay.
Obviously, printing the paper in Manchester has created its own problems.
We have sometimes held our breath as news has come through of blizzards on the most northern parts of the M6 and in Scotland.
But for the most part, the paper has always seemed to get there on time.
The pandemic has created its own problems. Having to fill pages with Scottish Jewish news when not much is happening was a challenge.
Fortunately, Zoom meetings were still taking place and the formation of the Pulling Together group, along with Lubavitch Glasgow, helping to deliver goods in lockdown, have ensured content for the paper . . . and enabled us to highlight the warmth of the community.
We have also been blessed with many good reporters over the years for the Scottish edition, particularly Sharon Mail and, presently, Colin Grant.
But without the support of the community, we are nothing.
Also remember we are a newspaper, not a community newsletter, so not every story will be a positive one — for example, the recent stories about the meetings and vote for the merger of the shuls.
No matter what we write, though, we are big supporters of the community and want to highlight all that is good.
So please continue to send in your stories and pictures . . . and long may we work together for the good of the community.