From the archive: 185 years ago – the Jewish Chronicle is born
The Jewish Chronicle is 185 years old this week. Here are some extracts from its first editions, when sermons filled columns, and there were no pictures or ads
Assessment
The Jewish Chronicle's 185th birthday is a reminder that Jewish journalism predates most modern media institutions. The first editions reveal a paper built around sermons and text, without images or advertising, reflecting a community that consumed news differently. What matters is how the paper has survived through wars, migrations, and technological shifts, adapting its voice while maintaining a continuous record of Jewish life. Watch for how the JC marks this milestone with its own history, and whether it draws lessons for its next chapter.