Isaac on The Forward

“Newspapers published many articles about the terrible conditions on Ellis Island. Among these newspapers was the Jewish Daily Forward, the major Yiddish-language daily in America. In 1909 the Forward received a letter signed by one hundred Jewish men and boys who were being held on Ellis Island, describing their bitter lot and the dreadful conditions in which they were held. The protests and articles generated by this letter forced Washington to take notice of the problem.”

“Mr. Cahan, who became well known as a talented author with his novel, The Rise of David Levinsky, and other works, was a strong advocate of realism. He not only printed realistic stories by well-known writers but made an effort to bring the reality of Jewish life in America into his newspaper. Through light articles he inspired and encouraged the readers to write to the Forward about any unusual events in their own lives, and about their own problems. Mr. Cahan firmly believed that "truth is stranger than fiction," and as far back as 1903 planned a special feature for the newspaper in which the readers could express themselves, a section of the paper which would mirror real life...He maintained that the Forward should not devote itself exclusively to trade unionism, to political and social problems. From the outset, he broadened the interests of the paper and enlivened it with varied reading material, including light articles dealing with daily life. The daily newspaper thus drew readers from all strata and classes.”

“Abraham Cahan, the editor of the Forward from its founding in 1897 until shortly before his death in 1951, was eager to help these immigrants. He was aware of their many problems and knew that they had no one to talk to. In 1906 he started an advice column called "A Bintel Brief" (A Bundle of Letters), which was an immediate success. The paper was soon inundated with letters to the editor, which Cahan answered in simple, straightforward language. From the beginning, the letter writers respected him and trusted his advice. The more intellectual readers of the newspaper ridiculed Cahan, saying that instead of raising the stature of the immigrants, he was stooping to their level in the "Bintel Brief." His answer was that in order to help a child who has fallen, one has first to bend down to lift him up. The poverty of these immigrants was very great, and this was reflected in their letters to the column. This is one of the thousands of letters that Cahan received: "My husband left me and our three children in desperate need. My youngest child is six months old. I want to sell my three beautiful children, not for money, but for a secure home for them where they will have enough food to eat, also warm clothing for the winter and loving care."”

“The Forward, a Yiddish daily newspaper in America which celebrated its seventieth anniversary in 1967, played an important role in helping the Eastern European Jewish immigrants transplant and adjust themselves to American life...[it] was primarily a workingman's newspaper, attracted many of the immigrants who had become shopworkers. The paper began to teach them about trade unionism. It explained in their mother tongue how important it was for them to be organized, to unite to fight for higher wages, shorter working hours and decent treatment by the bosses. And the newcomers, who were lonely here, clung to the Forward in turn as to a newfound friend. It became their teacher and guide. The newspaper concerned itself with their lot, spoke to their hearts and quickly gained their respect and confidence. It is no exaggeration to say that the pages of the Forward over the seven decades contain a true epical history of the Jewish mass immigration and the immigrants' adaptation to life in this country. The saga of their struggles, achievements and contributions to the country were written into the day-by-day news. All sorts of articles, literary novels, sketches and special features were printed in this newspaper. One of these features in the Forward was and still is the "Bintel Brief."”

“Abraham Cahan wrote in his memoirs (1929) the following about the "Bintel Brief": "People often need the opportunity to be able to pour out their heavy-laden hearts. Among our immigrant masses this need was very marked. Hundreds of thousands of people, tom from their homes and their dear ones, were lonely souls who thirsted for expression, who wanted to hear an opinion, who wanted advice in solving their weighty problems. The 'Bintel Brief' created just this opportunity for them. Many of the letters we receive are poorly written and we must correct or rewrite them. Some of the letters are not written directly by the people who seek the advice, but by others who do it for them. It has even become a special occupation for certain people to write letters for those who cannot write. There also appeared small signs with the inscription 'Here letters are written to the "Bintel Brief."' [The price for writing such a letter ranged from twenty-five to fifty cents. I.M.] Often the professional 'Bintel Brief' writer let himself go with his own eloquence, but this, naturally, was deleted. And from time to time men and women came to the editorial office to ask that someone write a letter for them about their problems. Through the 'Bintel Brief' mothers have found the children they had lost many years ago...The name of the feature, 'Bintel Brief,' became so popular that it is often used as a part of American Yiddish. When we speak of an interesting event in family life, you can hear a comment like 'A remarkable story-just for the "Bintel Brief."" Other times you can hear, 'It's like a "Bintel Brief" story!' Many of the themes from the letters have been used by writers of dramas and sketches for their works, because a world of literary import can be found in them. The first few years I used to answer all the letters myself. I did it with the greatest pleasure, because in the letters one sees a rare panorama of human souls and because I also had a literary interest in the work."”