5 Jan 2015 7:40 PM PT
JTA January 5, 2015 5:41pm ET
70 Faces Media CEO Ami Eden, left, Editorial Director Deborah Kolben and actress Mayim Bialik celebrating the merger of JTA and My Jewish Learning. (Cara Paiuk)
NEW YORK (JTA) — The Jewish Telegraphic Agency and MyJewishLearning announced that they have officially merged to create 70 Faces Media.
“The driving mission of 70 Faces Media is to connect as many people as possible to all sides of the unfolding Jewish story,” said Ami Eden, CEO and executive editor of 70 Faces Media.
Eden said that 70 Faces Media is committed to maintaining and growing its existing brands — JTA, Kveller and MyJewishLearning — as well as creating new brands and content to serve the diverse Jewish community. In addition, he added, the new company remains committed to providing readers with news, information, content and discussion on Jewish topics without political bias or denominational bent.
In deciding to move forward with the merger, JTA and MJL board leaders said the move would allow both organizations to grow readership and increase revenues through the formation of unified and expanded audience development, business development and fundraising teams.
The new organization operates three main websites that generate 3.4 million page views per month, as well as serves a syndication network of about 70 Jewish and Israeli newspapers and websites with more than 3 million monthly users.
The editorial director of 70 Faces Media will be Deborah Kolben, the founding editor of Kveller, MJL’s parenting site. Kolben served previously as the news editor of The New York Sun and the managing editor of the Village Voice. The new organization’s management team also includes Meredith Lewis, the chief operating officer; Lenore Silverstein, the director of administration and finance; Nancy Clayman, the director of development; and Leo Lazar, the director of business development.
The name 70 Faces Media is derived from the Jewish teaching that “the Torah has seventy faces.” The organization’s website explains: “We take our name from and are guided by the enduring message of this ancient dictum, that the creation of Jewish knowledge and narrative must reflect a wide range of experiences, perspectives and personalities.”
With my new colleague
— Ron Kampeas ()
Mayim Bialik with Kveller editors and Image: on Twitter
LOL this is an adorable picture of 2 bespectacled funky ladies I must say!
— Mayim Bialik ()
and we had all just had a make up party. Don't we look appropriately farputzed!?
— Mayim Bialik ()
Here's me and mindful parenting author and buddy at the bash last night . You're not a dork, Carla!
— Mayim Bialik ()