Our Story
About Us
Our Story
About Us
Our Story
About Us
WHO IS The Jewish World?
WHO IS The Jewish World?
Founded in 1965 by Sam and Pearl Clevenson, The Jewish World publishes news of events for the Capital District Jewish community, and carries stories on events affecting Jewish people all over the world. Born in 1917, Mr. Clevenson grew up with nine siblings in an Orthodox Jewish home in Laconia, N.H. He began writing sports reports for the Laconia Citizen daily newspaper when he was 15. He later covered motorcycle races, major league baseball and a variety of other topics, worked in factories, managed auto stores, and had other jobs. He served as a gunnery instructor in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, working at newspapers in Long Island and as a freelance writer after the war.
Founded in 1965 by Sam and Pearl Clevenson, The Jewish World publishes news of events for the Capital District Jewish community, and carries stories on events affecting Jewish people all over the world. Born in 1917, Mr. Clevenson grew up with nine siblings in an Orthodox Jewish home in Laconia, N.H. He began writing sports reports for the Laconia Citizen daily newspaper when he was 15. He later covered motorcycle races, major league baseball and a variety of other topics, worked in factories, managed auto stores, and had other jobs. He served as a gunnery instructor in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, working at newspapers in Long Island and as a freelance writer after the war.
Star hitter Ted Williams. Sam Clevenson was a lifelong Red Sox fan
Wed in New York City
Wed in New York City
He married Pearl Groopman in New York City, in 1952. Born in Wilkes Barre, Pa., in 1918, Mrs. Clevenson had been a secretary for the air-conditioning giant Carrier Corp. in Syracuse and New York City. A prolific writer in her youth and a lifelong avid reader, she was the foundation of the Clevenson home and helped with Jewish World bookkeeping.
Mr. Clevenson worked at daily newspapers in Springfield, Mass., and Boston before buying the weekly Farmington News in Farmington, N.H. In order to live in a larger Jewish community, in 1963 he brought his wife and two children, James and Laurie, to Schenectady, where he worked as an editor at the Schenectady Union-Star afternoon daily.
He married Pearl Groopman in New York City, in 1952. Born in Wilkes Barre, Pa., in 1918, Mrs. Clevenson had been a secretary for the air-conditioning giant Carrier Corp. in Syracuse and New York City. A prolific writer in her youth and a lifelong avid reader, she was the foundation of the Clevenson home and helped with Jewish World bookkeeping.
Mr. Clevenson worked at daily newspapers in Springfield, Mass., and Boston before buying the weekly Farmington News in Farmington, N.H. In order to live in a larger Jewish community, in 1963 he brought his wife and two children, James and Laurie, to Schenectady, where he worked as an editor at the Schenectady Union-Star afternoon daily.
Unity and Strength
Unity and Strength
Inspired by Jewish community leaders with the idea that a newspaper would strengthen the community, Mr. Clevenson published the first issue of The Jewish World before Rosh Hashanah in 1965. He believed it would help unify the Jewish communities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and the surrounding area of upstate New York.
Mr. Clevenson edited the paper, with Laurie’s help since 1980, until his death at age 90 in 2008. Mrs. Clevenson lived at home in Schenectady until February, 2011, when she died at 93. She was active in her synagogue, joined a bat mitzvah class when she was 60, and supported many philanthropic enterprises.
Laurie had worked with the State of New York and in the restaurant business in Arizona before joining The Jewish World. She worked closely with her father, following the major events in the news cycles, becoming familiar with community leaders, monitoring Middle East politics, visiting Israel, editing and laying out the paper.
Inspired by Jewish community leaders with the idea that a newspaper would strengthen the community, Mr. Clevenson published the first issue of The Jewish World before Rosh Hashanah in 1965. He believed it would help unify the Jewish communities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Saratoga Springs, and the surrounding area of upstate New York.
Mr. Clevenson edited the paper, with Laurie’s help since 1980, until his death at age 90 in 2008. Mrs. Clevenson lived at home in Schenectady until February, 2011, when she died at 93. She was active in her synagogue, joined a bat mitzvah class when she was 60, and supported many philanthropic enterprises.
Laurie had worked with the State of New York and in the restaurant business in Arizona before joining The Jewish World. She worked closely with her father, following the major events in the news cycles, becoming familiar with community leaders, monitoring Middle East politics, visiting Israel, editing and laying out the paper.
Page one of the first edition, Sept. 23, 1965.
From academe to business
From academe to business
After graduating from SUNY-Binghamton in 1977 with a degree in philosophy, James edited Kite, the Clevensons’ weekly arts newspaper. From 1980 to 1994, he served as general manager of the family’s printing business,World Printing, then ran World Media, a printing brokerage which specialized in academic newspapers and retail marketing projects.
Since 2008 James and Laurie have carried forward their father’s legacy, redefining the paper’s role in the community and developing an innovative business model. They are packing the paper with more local news, and have added a dynamic web site and weekly e-newsletter to expand the readership. The Clevensons are building on The Jewish World’s role as a pillar of the Jewish community in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties, cultivating new readers in the Berkshires, Hudson Valley, and the Catskills.
After graduating from SUNY-Binghamton in 1977 with a degree in philosophy, James edited Kite, the Clevensons’ weekly arts newspaper. From 1980 to 1994, he served as general manager of the family’s printing business,World Printing, then ran World Media, a printing brokerage which specialized in academic newspapers and retail marketing projects.
Since 2008 James and Laurie have carried forward their father’s legacy, redefining the paper’s role in the community and developing an innovative business model. They are packing the paper with more local news, and have added a dynamic web site and weekly e-newsletter to expand the readership. The Clevensons are building on The Jewish World’s role as a pillar of the Jewish community in Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties, cultivating new readers in the Berkshires, Hudson Valley, and the Catskills.
Journalism and philosophy: Bust of Plato, Vatican Museum, Rome
Educated and successful
Educated and successful
The Jewish World’s audience is well-educated, economically viable and discerning, with a thirst for knowledge in all areas affecting their lives and the lives of their families. They welcome The Jewish World into their homes not only to learn about religious events, but to be apprised of happenings within the worlds of art, politics, science, and culture. They enjoy learning about lectures, foods, charity, social responsibility, films, travel, health issues, education, finance, history and leisure. They are active, engaged and involved.
A community survey* found that, of those responding, 71% receive The Jewish World
Over 88% think The Jewish World does a good or excellent job of informing them about the community
When asked which type of news or information do you like to read in The Jewish World, the top two responses were “Local news” And “All of it!”
The Jewish World’s audience is well-educated, economically viable and discerning, with a thirst for knowledge in all areas affecting their lives and the lives of their families. They welcome The Jewish World into their homes not only to learn about religious events, but to be apprised of happenings within the worlds of art, politics, science, and culture. They enjoy learning about lectures, foods, charity, social responsibility, films, travel, health issues, education, finance, history and leisure. They are active, engaged and involved.
A community survey* found that, of those responding, 71% receive The Jewish World
Over 88% think The Jewish World does a good or excellent job of informing them about the community
When asked which type of news or information do you like to read in The Jewish World, the top two responses were “Local news” And “All of it!”
* 2010 Capital Region Jewish Community Study by The Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY
* 2010 Capital Region Jewish Community Study by The Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY
Page one of the 50th Anniversary edition.
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The People Behind the Paper
Meet the Team
The People Behind the Paper
Meet the Team
The People Behind the Paper
Meet the Team
James R. Clevenson
Publisher
James Clevenson, born to Sam S. and Pearl Clevenson, grew up in Schenectady, New York, after his family relocated from New Hampshire in 1963 to join a larger Jewish community. From childhood through young adulthood, James apprenticed with his father at The Jewish World , learning the intricacies of writing, editing, graphics, newspaper production, and management. He worked in sales and served as general manager of the family’s printing business, World Printing, from 1980 to 1994. Later, he founded and ran World Media, a printing brokerage specializing in academic newspapers and retail marketing projects. Since his father’s passing in 2008, James, alongside his sister Laurie, has continued the legacy of The Jewish World. He has focused on redefining the newspaper’s community role, enhancing local news coverage, and expanding readership through innovative digital media strategies.
James R. Clevenson
Publisher
James Clevenson, born to Sam S. and Pearl Clevenson, grew up in Schenectady, New York, after his family relocated from New Hampshire in 1963 to join a larger Jewish community. From childhood through young adulthood, James apprenticed with his father at The Jewish World , learning the intricacies of writing, editing, graphics, newspaper production, and management. He worked in sales and served as general manager of the family’s printing business, World Printing, from 1980 to 1994. Later, he founded and ran World Media, a printing brokerage specializing in academic newspapers and retail marketing projects. Since his father’s passing in 2008, James, alongside his sister Laurie, has continued the legacy of The Jewish World. He has focused on redefining the newspaper’s community role, enhancing local news coverage, and expanding readership through innovative digital media strategies.
James R. Clevenson
Publisher
James Clevenson, born to Sam S. and Pearl Clevenson, grew up in Schenectady, New York, after his family relocated from New Hampshire in 1963 to join a larger Jewish community. From childhood through young adulthood, James apprenticed with his father at The Jewish World , learning the intricacies of writing, editing, graphics, newspaper production, and management. He worked in sales and served as general manager of the family’s printing business, World Printing, from 1980 to 1994. Later, he founded and ran World Media, a printing brokerage specializing in academic newspapers and retail marketing projects. Since his father’s passing in 2008, James, alongside his sister Laurie, has continued the legacy of The Jewish World. He has focused on redefining the newspaper’s community role, enhancing local news coverage, and expanding readership through innovative digital media strategies.
Laurie Clevenson
Editor
Laurie Clevenson, daughter of Sam S. and Pearl Clevenson, was raised in Schenectady, New York, after the family moved there in 1963. Before joining The Jewish World in 1980, Laurie worked for the State of New York and in the restaurant business in Arizona. She began assisting her father with editing the newspaper, which he founded in 1965 to unify the Jewish communities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and surrounding areas. Following Sam’s death in 2008, Laurie, together with her brother James, has carried forward their parents’ legacy. She has played a key role in redefining the paper’s community engagement, improving the quality and quantity of local news, and embracing digital media to broaden the publication’s reach.
Laurie Clevenson
Editor
Laurie Clevenson, daughter of Sam S. and Pearl Clevenson, was raised in Schenectady, New York, after the family moved there in 1963. Before joining The Jewish World in 1980, Laurie worked for the State of New York and in the restaurant business in Arizona. She began assisting her father with editing the newspaper, which he founded in 1965 to unify the Jewish communities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and surrounding areas. Following Sam’s death in 2008, Laurie, together with her brother James, has carried forward their parents’ legacy. She has played a key role in redefining the paper’s community engagement, improving the quality and quantity of local news, and embracing digital media to broaden the publication’s reach.
Laurie Clevenson
Editor
Laurie Clevenson, daughter of Sam S. and Pearl Clevenson, was raised in Schenectady, New York, after the family moved there in 1963. Before joining The Jewish World in 1980, Laurie worked for the State of New York and in the restaurant business in Arizona. She began assisting her father with editing the newspaper, which he founded in 1965 to unify the Jewish communities of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and surrounding areas. Following Sam’s death in 2008, Laurie, together with her brother James, has carried forward their parents’ legacy. She has played a key role in redefining the paper’s community engagement, improving the quality and quantity of local news, and embracing digital media to broaden the publication’s reach.
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© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios
© 2026 The Jewish World · Since 1965 - The Capital Region's gateway to Jewish life
Designed and Developed by Ta-Da Studios