From LB Newspaper Club to New York Newsrooms: Leo Baeck Alumni Making Their Mark in Jewish Media
This week, we caught up with two members of The Leo Baeck Day School Class of 2014—Sam Shepherd and Joseph Strauss—who are now making waves in the world of Jewish media in New York. As alumni of both Leo Baeck and the Columbia Journalism School, they shared reflections on their careers, Jewish identity, and the enduring influence of their early education.
Telling Jewish Stories Through a Journalistic Lens
Joseph Strauss is currently a reporter for The New York Jewish Week, and his bylines span outlets like JTA, Semafor, Grist, and SB Nation. In addition to his reporting, he teaches documentary filmmaking as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia Journalism School.
Sam Shepherd is a culture writer whose work explores Jewish identity, politics, and the arts. After completing his graduate studies at Columbia Journalism School, Sam joined The Forward—the United States’s premier Jewish news publication—as a digital reporting and editing intern. There, he wrote on everything from Broadway revivals to U.S. politics, all through a distinctly American Jewish lens.
Both Sam and Joseph attribute their passion for storytelling and critical thinking to their time at The Leo Baeck Day School.
“We use the skills we learned at Leo Baeck—Jewish history, religion, peoplehood, and critical thinking—every day in our professional lives,” they shared.
Foundations Laid at Leo Baeck
For Joseph, the spark began early.
“I think it was Grade 5 when we took part in the Leo Baeck newspaper club. I don’t remember what we wrote about, but I remember how fun it was—running around the school, reporting, working with friends. That was the first time I felt like, ‘Hey, I love writing.’”
Sam also credits Leo Baeck with nurturing his curiosity and sense of community.
“During my internship at The Forward, I realized how much Leo Baeck shaped my Jewish worldview. From Jewish Studies to the IB program’s emphasis on big-picture thinking, I learned how to hold multiple truths and understand diverse perspectives.”
He recalls a full-circle moment from Grade 8:
“On our class trip to New York, we visited the Tenement Museum and learned about The Forward—and now, here I am, writing for them. That trip planted a seed that’s grown into a career.”
A Lens That Lasts
While both alumni are working in Jewish media today, they view the values and skills instilled at Leo Baeck as relevant far beyond that niche.
“Even if I’m writing for a broader cultural outlet,” Sam explains, “the Jewish lens—the close reading of texts, the commitment to open debate, the curiosity—that stays with me.”
Joseph agrees:
“Leo Baeck encouraged us to explore what we were passionate about. I started writing outside of school because of that support.”
Jewish Identity on Campus and Beyond
Sam shared that Leo Baeck also gave him the tools to stay grounded during challenging times, including during his time at Columbia:
“I lived at a Jewish food co-op called the Bayit—it was like an urban kibbutz. Leo Baeck taught me how to lean on Jewish community, and also how to hold space for people with different perspectives. That helped me navigate a very turbulent year.”
Advice for Aspiring Writers
When asked what advice they’d give to current Leo Baeck students, both emphasized the importance of exploring interests early and often.
“Do what makes you happy,” Sam says. “I was in every school play, and now I regularly write about Broadway. I was involved in the Tikkun Olam committee, and now I work for publications with a commitment to social justice. Those seeds were planted at Leo Baeck.”
Joseph adds:
“If you’re curious about something, follow that curiosity. I did, and it led me here.”
Navigating Today’s Media Landscape
Working in Jewish media today comes with unique challenges—but also opportunities for empathy and connection.
“The news is deeply personal for a lot of people right now,” Sam reflects. “It’s important to lead with kindness and curiosity. You never know what someone else is going through.”
We’re so proud of Sam and Joseph, and can’t wait to see what they do next. Their journeys are a testament to the power of storytelling, community, and a strong Jewish foundation—values that are core to the Leo Baeck experience.
