As many of you I am sure have read or heard, there have been many changes occurring on the World Wide Web. Most of the Web sites that had been offering their services free of charge, hoping that advertising or the sales of peripheral products or service might help finance the endeavor, have either closed down entirely or begun to charge fees. The reason is quite simple; it costs money in the form of hard cash to maintain a Web site of any kind on the Internet.

Unfortunately, The Gantseh Megillah and The Glossary of Yiddish Words and Expressions are not exceptions to this rule, and therefore I must outlay funds from my own pocket each and every month in order to maintain both of these services. This is something I honestly do not mind doing as I consider both the Megillah and the Glossary to be labours of love and wish it to be my gift to the community. This is why I have always made the pledge that I would never impose any mandatory fees or subscription charges to anyone who wishes to enjoy either or both of these Web sites. I have every intention of keeping that pledge.

The sad fact is though, that the costs of designing and maintaining these sites have continued to climb month after month, and it is becoming somewhat of a strain to maintain the financial burden totally on my own. I have been giving much thought to this problem, and I have also consulted with several people to see if there was some way I might come up with that could help lessen the financial burden involved. Happily, I believe this has been done.

I am setting up a “Virtual Tzedakah box” on both the Gantseh Megillah and The Glossary of Yiddish Words and Expressions Web sites in order to make it possible for people to make voluntary contributions to these efforts. The key word here is VOLUNTARY! No one is being required to pay any specific amount or to make any donation at all. I am keeping my promise of offering the Megillah and the glossary to everyone free of charge. No one is going to be refused a subscription or dropped from the subscribers list if they chose not to make a contribution. This is a solemn promise on my part.

EVERYONE remains welcome to be a part of the Megillah family whether or not they wish to make a contribution. I know I am being repetitious on this point, but it is very important to me that my Megillah family realize how much I value them. If you wish to make a contribution, know that whatever you donate will be greatly appreciated and put to good use. If you do not wish to or are unable to contribute, please feel totally welcome to stay within our group. No one is going to know who did or did not contribute, nor what amounts have been given. This information will remain completely private and confidential with me, and will never be released to anyone for any purpose whatsoever.

If you wish to make a contribution, please click on the Tzedakah box and the information of where you can mail your donation will appear. You may send a cheque, money order or good ol’ cash if you prefer. You can remain anonymous to me if you wish, but to do so, please do not send a cheque as your name will appear on it. J All amounts no matter how small will be of major assistance to me in being able to continue creating and maintaining the Megillah and the glossary.

I wish to thank all of my Megillah family and friends for being members of our community. It is so important for all of us to remain bound together as a proud group by any means which we can. It is my deepest hope that the Megillah family is a pleasant and satisfying way for us to achieve that goal.

This issue of the Megillah contains a rather eclectic set of articles for your reading pleasure. You will find “conversations” with two much admired men who were of primary importance in the creation of the motion picture version of “Fiddler on the Roof.” There is also an interesting, unique and somewhat controversial essay on “The Trap Israel Sets for Itself” which I felt it conveyed a perspective I have not heard voiced very often. Of course, these are but a few examples of what you will find in this month’s issue of “The Gantseh Megillah.

Don’t forget to share your thoughts about anything you read in the Megillah by emailing them to yenta@pass.to.

In closing, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful summer season. For all of you who will be traveling on vacation, please have a safe and pleasant journey wherever you go. If you are staying closer to home, may you enjoy the warmth of the season among those you love most. I am happy to say that the Megillah is NOT taking a vacation this year (happy? I’m not totally sure about that) and that there will be new editions throughout the summer. Don’t forget to send me you comments or questions to yenta@pass.to

Much love to all of you,
Michael
Editor