By Rishe Deitsch for COLlive
On Sunday June 16, we received an email from N’shei Chabad Newsletter’s website director, Faygie Shagalow. She wrote, “I think it is time for another design upgrade. Now that people have gotten used to our new look, I think we should take it a step further.”
Everyone on the board responded with enthusiasm to the idea. Our new graphic designer Leibel Krinsky accepted the challenge and got to work.
In preparation for laying the old logo to rest, I wanted to find out how it was born. So I called Hensha Gansbourg, who was the graphic artist for the magazine for 25 years, beginning in 1980 until her retirement to Boca Raton, Florida, in 2005.
She said, “To create the logo everyone knows so well, used for 33 years on covers of N’shei Newsletters, I used an actual physical brush dipped in ink and created letters by hand, after taking a calligraphy course. You can see the letters are not a font but handmade, because the two E’s and the two T’s in the word Newsletter are not exactly the same.
“At the time, in 1980, it was considered very avante garde in the world of advertising to create a logo that way. It was very free looking and spontaneous and cheerful and optimistic, with a touch of grace and femininity.
“In those days, we would paste all graphics onto paper, using a light table. The N’shei Chabad Newsletter started as a small Crown Heights thing and then it just grew and grew! I remember in the 1980s when I told the staff that we could now use photographs in print. Until then it was all cartoon-style drawings and clip art.
“At one point I tried to change the logo but the board did not approve. They wanted the old one,” Hensha said, adding, “I like the style of the new graphic design. The look is fresh and it’s easy to read.”
“I do have to thank the Newsletter for allowing me to do the layouts for so many years. I remember in the 1980’s, while working on a layout, Avi Baitelman OBM came to my home on President Street to do some electrical work. He suggested to me that I learn the computer. I refused, saying that I was too old to learn. (I was then in my late 60’s).
“By the early 1990s I realized that I had to learn the computer. I was literally afraid. Little kids knew what to do, but a woman turning 70 was another story. I then realized that if I didn’t learn the computer, the software, etc., I wouldn’t be able to work anymore. So off I went to the School of Visual Arts to learn a new technology. It was so confusing at first and I made many mistakes. Mark Seldowitz of Rochester, NY, became my personal guru. I was on the phone with him constantly. He taught me so much, especially how to troubleshoot the computer.
“I also went back to school to learn how to use Quark Express, a page layout program, and took many courses on Photoshop, which I used extensively, especially to make sure that all the necklines were high enough. I once took a head off of a woman who wasn’t wearing a sheitel and pasted another head of her on that had a sheitel on. I am so grateful that I had all this experience, because today I am quite computer savvy and here in Boca, many people call me with their own questions.”
QUALITY FOR WOMEN
The idea of a magazine for frum women began 54 years ago in 1959 with the Yiddishe Heim, which had Yiddish and English articles. Then in 1976 came the N’shei Chabad Newsletter, the first all-English magazine for the Jewish woman. It was created with the goal of becoming a magazine that would appeal to all types of Jewish women; furthermore, it had to be true to Yiddishe and chassidishe values and spread the views and directives of the Lubavitcher Rebbeim.
Says Faygie Shagalow, “In this day and age a quality magazine for Jewish women is more important than ever. It’s a voice that needs to be heard. We are bombarded by media of all types. The beauty and importance of a Yiddishe, chassidishe lifestyle, the news that the Geulah is coming and it is up to us to make it happen, is a message that is more timely than ever. In order to relay our message successfully, we need our graphics to appeal to women of all ages and backgrounds.”
Faygie smiles. “Since we introduced the new graphic style, so many people have said ‘Your content is really improved!’ but I know that it’s just more inviting, and easier to read. Good graphic design draws the reader in, inviting her to focus on the content. Clearly the graphic redesign has succeeded in doing this.”
What made her think of the idea of a new logo?
“When you’re trying to get people to read your magazine,” says Faygie, “the cover makes the first and foremost impression. You have a few seconds to sell your product to people standing on line at the supermarket. To that end, Rivki Geisinsky decided to add text to the cover, beginning one year ago in Tishrei of 2012. That was an improvement; however, the graphic look, with the logo and heading, was dated. Our new heading now completes the graphic redesign of the N’shei.”
If you are sad to see the logo go we assure you we haven’t changed. Our message is the same. Our goals and priorities are the same. We strive to create a magazine the Rebbe can be proud of. We’re not changing just for the sake of “out with the old, in with the new” – something that as Chassidim we don’t believe in. We are just using today’s technology to attract and retain more readers, to spread the Rebbe’s views and directives, and to bring Moshiach closer!
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Nshei Chabad Newsletter is the best! Love the new look!
Mark was so talented, patient, kind and giving!!
May his neshama have an Aliyah!!!
The new cover design and interior are visually elegant. I have one request – please make sure all typeface is contrasted against the background. For even someone with perfect vision the current trend of non-contrasting type can be difficult to read.
I consider myself very lucky that I consider Hensha my special friend. I met her years ago when she moved to Boca and joined our Chabad. I have learned so much from her and I really miss her since she has moved and joined a different shul. Carol Seidman
while we are remembeiring the people who brought the NCN to where it is today, we can’t forget Brana Shaina Deitsch who rejuvenated it in 1980, supporting it and getting good people onto the staff (all volunteers) including Cyrel Deitsch and Pearl Zavdi who sold ads, going door to door up Kingston Ave.
the thing was stapled together and addressedd and stamped in Brana Sheina’s dining room through 1980s MY HOW WE’VE GROWN
Don’t forget the dynamic business editor who worked for years to make sure. The magazine was a able to be printed and distributed thank you so much for your years of dedicated and selfless work
Great trailblazers are usually easier to follow and emulate.
Following the Rebbe’s teachings, “living with the times”, and
like the inspiration of Chabad, it is going from strength to strength!
Kol Hakavod to all the artists and all those that will follow.
Can Neshei talk to hebrewbooks.org and scan and make available the historical collection?
Please !!
Same with The Yiddishe Heim….
Something has me wondering why they didn’t hire you!
Hmmmmm… (Yeah, stick to what your good at, that is if there is something). People if you’re completely ignorant of basic elements of graphic design etc. please refrain from spouting your ridiculous opinions.
I think what we’re seeing here is the rise of a visionary in the Graphic design field, a new age Saul Bass or Paul Rand. His taking the world by storm and aggressively post-modern style are as revolutionary as they are refreshing. His style is aesthetically fluid, minimalistic, and innovative. Much respect and admiration.
László Moholy-Nagy
Thanks for bringing this newsletter to our attention, I didn’t know about it before.
My wife already enjoys Joy of Kosher (“nee” Bitayavon), which I also found through a COL article.
So nu, why shouldn’t she also enjoy a Nshei Chabad subscription? 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration and wishing you continued koach and hatzlacha!
You sound quite smart, but it doesn’t sound like you’ve ever seen a magazine cover in the last 15 years. They don’t have “logos” they have exactly this, letter treatments.
I have just read the article about the N’she Newsletter and went to review the comments. I am so touched by the personal comments made about me.
I wish Rishe and the entire staff Hatzlacha, and a Kasiva V’Chasima Tovah to all.
Hensha
She’s got it!
i love love love the new cover and all the new graphics! i’ve been a huge fan of n’shei all my life but the new graphics makes it even more exciting to read. especially love the new layout of the table of contents.
Hensha has done so much for our community in a quiet, dignified manner. She was my role model all my life and she never even knew it! I wish hensha arichas yomim veshanim tovos, ah gut g’bentched yar!
Tishrei cover of Nshei Newsletter is sooooooooooo much more ‘Nshei’s’ style than the Tamuz Av issue. Please please remember that Nshei is valued by all of us and it HAS to be true to Yiddishe and chassidishe values and spread the views and directives of the Lubavitcher Rebbeim.
You’ve only gotten better over the years! As the Rebbe ZY”A
said, “It’s not what’s written on the passport.” Best of every-
thing to you.
Mindy Feller
I love the content that the NCN provides for our family, and the overall production values are sky-high, but… it ain’t really a logo, y’know, it’s kinda just three letters squished together… I’d love to see something more creative.
RECTIFIED!
at 12:13 a.m. i sent COL the newest cover which does have B”H on it. i apologize for the error.
i sent the cover to COL but not the final which does have B”H on it. you are correct and thank you for pointing out!
Can you try include B’H on each copy before it goes out in the post? like a sticker. You have done it in the past for a different thing.
Greatest graphic designer pulls off another great job. Everything he touches simply turns to gold.
The new cover looks so spiffy! Wow! Can’t wait to get it.
I love the Neshei Newsletter but what’s special about the new logo?
The kid in the Tishrei newsletter!!!
the new one looks like a bank logo 🙂
Hatzlocho with the new look.
What happened to the B”H on the top right corner?