'Hamahane Ha'Haredi' stretches face: 88 chrome pages

Rreaders of the veteran newspaper Hamahane Ha'haredi, are in for a surprise: The paper extends its lines and scope and presents its subscribers and readers a renewed and comprehensive version. This is a face-lift and transformation into 88 pages, crammed with content and advertising, printed on glossy paper and which will be a contra to the known magazines and try to compete with them.

33 years have passed since the paper appeared as a weekly by 'Machzikei Hadas' of the Belz Hasidim. First, Hamahane Ha'haredi appeared as a monthly magazine and later was published several times a year, in the format of a larger magazine.

A few months before the resumption of Kehal Machzikei Hadas, by the Rebbe of Belz, it was decided that the magazine will be frequently published every week. MK Israel Eichler was the editor of the paper, since Erev Rosh Hashanah 5740 and accompanies the paper until today. Among the most popular writers who were among the ranks, were Yaakov Rivlin and Zvika Ya'akobson who are now writing in the weekly 'Bakehilla'.

So far, the newspaper in its entirety was published in paper format only. Among its subscribers are not only Belz Hasidim. Years went by, and the management of Machzikei Hadas, headed by Harav Mordechai Brisk, which publishes this newspaper every week, decided that if it wants to conquer new audiences and not lose the old ones, it must make a significant change and reorganization in style and design of the newspaper. There is no self-respecting magazine, which did not have a face lift and reform of one sort or another, with the aim of multi-audience readers and making as many advertising spaces as possible. The executive internalized that if it breaks out, it must come up with a new and dynamic spirit, and shed itself from the antiquated appearance that accompanied it so far.

And news is at the door. Starting tomorrow morning, the newspaper which will await subscriptions in the mail and will be sold in stores each week, will include three parts: two glossy magazines and a news section which will remain in news paper.

The first glossy magazine also includes in addition to the old sections, investigative articles, life stories and various diversified content. Like, for example, new sections on education and hashkofa, written by renowned educators, Rabbi Aharon Friedman and Rabbi Menashe Yisroel Reisman, photograph sections of Kehillos Hakodesh, and more.

Inside the magazine, extended sections will be added for family and children.

The popular supplement, 'Korei Oneg' will also be in glossy edition and will feature a new section called "Chassidim Mesaprim" in which the elders of the Belz Hasidim and others will relate their stored memories throughout their lives' stations.

Even in the news section, the editorial promises a tiding, expanding of articles and sections, and economic aspects will also be displayed. The newspaper reinforced its personnel with professional new forces, which according to it will give a significant boost to the newspaper.

The first paper will include an interview with Israel Eichler and Zvika Ya'akobson – who tell of the early days of the magazine, birth pangs and the tribulations it endured during its birthright.

Now it is only left to see whether literary envy and multiple magazines, also increase wisdom.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!