Sheldon cared that the media in Israel was uniform, controlled by a monopoly on opinions and an economic monopoly • He had a vision, and I had the honor of being a part of it
Sheldon Adelson.
A combination of features that is unmatched
Photography:
Dan Raviv
"Want to be better? Be different."
And in English - Different is Better.
This is what Mr. Sheldon Adelson told me at our first meeting, and this is what he told me again, to us, in "Israel Today," in all our meetings.
Because he was like that, Sheldon Adelson: different, and better.
I had the privilege of being one of the founding members of Israel Today.
I had the privilege of working alongside him and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson. I have known Miri since childhood: her mother and my mother were good friends, both from Poland, both with memories of the families and acquaintances lost in the Holocaust. Both from the generation that founded the country.
I met Mr. Adelson many years later.
I met a smart man.
direct.
Zionist.
I did 35 years in the world of journalism.
I know the media cynicism well.
I have met her over the years.
The choir singing a uniform song.
The arrogance.
The self-confidence that the Ten Commandments are in the hands of a handful, as if they were a monopoly.
In great pain: Sheldon Adelson 1933-2021
Mr. Adelson came to break this monopoly, out of faith, out of love for Israel.
Yes, he was a Zionist.
He cared about the people of Israel and the State of Israel.
"One of the most important values that my late father commanded me," he told us, "is Zionism.
And I never compromised on values.
I am not half-Zionist;
I am a Zionist in every sense of the word.
I sat next to him at "Birthright" events.
In front of thousands of enthusiastic young Jews who came from all over the world, and sang their hearts out - he was proud.
Radiant happy.
Because his contributions to this organization came from a belief that the people of Israel must continue.
And his contributions to Yad Vashem came from a belief that "never again" is not a slogan, but a way of life.
And yes, he cared that for years the media in Israel was uniform, controlled by a monopoly on opinions and an economic monopoly.
He had a vision.
And he and his wife founded "Israel Today," and gave me the honor of being the founding editor.
And with the team that joined us - we set up a newspaper that also expressed other opinions, which until then had been on the margins.
And the public loved us, and we broke the monopoly.
Because there is freedom of expression, and every opinion deserves to be heard.
And the public will decide.
It was an experience talking to Mr. Adelson.
He had determination, adherence to purpose, a sense of humor, and he had humanity.
He always meant what he said;
You could always learn something about life from him.
He was a true leader: he was different;
He was a huge man.
I will miss him, he will miss us all.
The author is the founding editor of "Israel Today".
