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The God Blog

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July 17, 2009 | 12:46 pm

Forgive me Godbeat: A brief farewell to journalism

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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The beginning of Shabbat will bring to a close my two years of wandering in the Jewish community. But this has been no desert.

Since joining The Jewish Journal in May 2007, I’ve had some amazing experiences—grilling the Israeli prime minister, interviewing my journalistic hero, going to Yom Kippur services, sitting down with Hollywood CEOs, walking the Holy Land, digging into the history of Jewish hoops.

Really, it’s been a blast. I’ve also learned a lot more about what it means to be a Christian named Greenberg and saw many of my notions of Jewish life in L.A. smashed. I’ll be reflecting on the latter in a first-person piece for The Journal next week.

A few of my stories really mattered, many more just entertained. And in the process I received some recognition that I can’t imagine having earned if I hadn’t left the comfort (gulp) of daily newspapers for the uncertain world of Jewish journalism. Flashback four weeks:

Thank God for the religion beat. At the Press Club dinner; won Journalist of the Year in under 100k category. Amen.

Thank you, LA Press Club.

Next up, UCLA School of Law. And no, I don’t know what type of law I want to practice. How about the kind that pays enough that I will be able to afford to keep writing?

This is a sad moment for me, indeed, and there will be many more during the next month, and probably even more when finals approach in December. I love—truly love—being a journalist. And while I anticipate enjoying law, I wouldn’t even be considering the career change if the future of newpapers and magazines was a bit more stable.

But I’m young enough to be able pull the trigger now, when I can figure my way out of this prisoners dilemma. And hopefully after a decade or so of really hard work I’ll be able to transition back to being a part-time journalist and author.

Even now I’m not making a clean break with journalism. I’m going to continue writing this here God Blog and will also be contributing at GetReligion. I hope you’ll keep reading.

Links to my favorite stories are after the jump:

“Jordan Farmar and the Jewish (hoops) future”

“A Christian makes teshuvah”

“The professor the anti-Semites love”

“Shabbat in Sderot beneath a canopy of Qassams”

“Interview with a serial blogger”

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Good luck, Brad.  I don’t know how much time you’ll have now that you’ll be in law school, but if you’re still interested in the idea we had going, I still am too.

Comment by Guy on 7/17/09 at 3:24 pm

Of course you’re going to keep writing GodBlog, you are SO going to miss journalism! Maybe not the less-than-stellar pay, but you’ll still miss it. Good luck!

Comment by darleene on 7/17/09 at 3:27 pm

It’s been following you the last nine months or so. Good luck old friend.

Comment by Derus on 7/17/09 at 4:51 pm

Brad, it seems like a law degree couldn’t hurt. Just don’t forget the little people ...

Comment by Steven Rosenberg on 7/17/09 at 5:56 pm

I can’t believe this.  Here was one place in the “Jewish” world where I could actually say what I wanted, what I felt, what I believed and not have some “Jewish gestapo” stifle half of what I said.  But you say you’ll still be writing here at The God Blog.  I can’t believe that your interest in religion can just be put to the side completely and I see that you are still going to write the God Blog.  That is great, cause it is really very interesting and important.  Heck in London (London Times?) they called it the best Religion Blog, you’re obviously getting a point across.  But the American dream awaits and that is and always has been $$$$$$$.  Yes, $$$$$ are necessary to do what we want to do.  Best of Luck and hopefully we will still see the God Blog or maybe a few of the “gestapo” picked up a few clues on “freedom of speech, press, religion, etc.”  Though knowing the Jewish community, I sincerely doubt it.

Comment by The Levite Line on 7/18/09 at 11:04 am

You have always been a fantastic writer and reporter—whether at the Daily News, the Journal or even the high-standard Daily Bruin.  While it’s always a shame for the profession to lose a talented guy like yourself, even temporarily, you’re on to bigger and better things.  I have no doubt that, armed with your journalism experience and your law degree, you’ll be one of those obnoxious talking heads on CNN in no time.

Nah, seriously, I’m proud of you and all you’ve accomplished.  You’re gonna do great things in this world, dude.  Congratulations and good luck.  I owe ya coffee, whether it’s from the Woodland Hills Coffee Bean or a Redondo Starbucks.

Comment by Brent Hopkins on 7/18/09 at 3:19 pm

I hear that bankruptcy lawyers are doing really well these days, and will probably continue at least through 2012.

Comment by Ben Plonie on 7/18/09 at 8:06 pm

I’m not sure I follow The Levite Line’s comment, but, to everyone else, thanks for the well wishes. As I continue my blogging, I’ll try my best not to be too obnoxious.

Comment by Brad A. Greenberg on 7/19/09 at 9:43 am

The Levite Line’s comments always sound more lucid in the original Vulcan.

Comment by Ben Plonie on 7/19/09 at 6:28 pm

good luck, man.  i enjoy what you do here and have learned a lot.
glad to hear you’ll be sticking around.

Comment by Proton Soup on 7/19/09 at 7:09 pm

Dear Brad,

I am going to miss you. I always enjoyed your writing and from a PR guy’s point of view you were a joy to work with - always sharp, inquisitive and professional.

I wish you the best of luck in your new career. And keep writing!

Comment by Robert Sax on 7/21/09 at 9:53 am

Brad,

What I was saying is that I really enjoy/enjoyed the God Blog.  It has dealt with religion intelligently.  I was basically criticizing “the system” that makes money people’s main concern.  I was also saying that you had not deleted any of my comments (until yesterday) and I liked that.  Then lo and behold you decide to delete a couple of my comments on the Jon Stewart post.  I was suprised.  I assume that it was due to what I’d said here which was not meant to be critical of you.

Comment by The Levite Line on 7/28/09 at 8:19 am

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