Kindline (Yiddish: קינדליין, /kɪndlaɪŋ/ⓘ) is a New York City–based Yiddish-language weekly magazine founded in late 2014 by then editor-in-chief Mendel Paneth, with the first edition appearing on December 16, 2014.[1]
Originally aimed at children and young adults, Kindline is now read by all ages,[2] and distributed worldwide weekly. Distribution scope is chiefly in areas where Yiddish readers reside, which include the United States, Canada, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and Israel.[3]
Articles and features include an elucidation of the Weekly Torah portion, world history, Jewish history, wildlife, travel, comics, crafts, puzzles, parables, and stories.
Writers and illustrators
Kindline is unique among Charedi publications in that writers and illustrators must attribute their work using their real name within the magazine, and not use a pseudonym as is traditionally accepted at many Yiddish publications.
Kindline writers and editors are mostly noted educators, teachers or speakers in the Chareidi community.[3] The editorial board includes author and lecturer, Fishel Shachter,[4] editor-in-chief Mendel Paneth and Dovid Weber.[5] Staff writers include Ari Abramowitz,[6] and historian Joseph Kwadrat[7] among many others.
Kindline weekly illustrations and comics are mostly the works of Batsheva Havlin, Avram Zmora, Motty Heller and several other artists. However, drawings and comics series by acclaimed Israeli artists, such as Yoel Waxberger, Gadi Pollak,[8]Jacky Yarhi, Deborah Kotovsky[9] are frequently published and appear regularly in special issues, such as the Purim or Pesach magazines.
Conflict and Leadership Changes
In February 2021, Mendel Paneth, the founder and editor-in-chief of Kindline, announced his resignation from the magazine, marking a significant leadership change. This decision followed a prolonged dispute with David Reiner, an investor in Kindline. Paneth accused Reiner of financial misconduct, alleging embezzlement and mismanagement of company funds over several years. This dispute had impacted Paneth's management of the magazine, leading him to start a new journal titled "Hundert."
In the interim, Kindline was overseen by Mrs. Paneth. However, control of the magazine soon shifted to David Reiner, who managed it independently. Reiner initiated an campaign against Paneth and "Hundert," involving various tactics and securing a unilateral boycott from Rabbi Asher Landa of the Beit Din Beit Yosef in Borough Park, which was subsequently shuttered.
Books
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2016)
In collaboration with illustrators, writers, and publishing company Kinder Shpiel, Kindline regularly publishes hardcover comic books of comic serials and other weekly columns that were previously printed in the magazine.