Dovid Efune to Revive the Famed ‘New York Sun’

By COLlive reporter

The New York Sun Company LLC, a new entity under the leadership of Dovid Efune, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired The New York Sun newspaper and its related assets from longtime proprietor Seth Lipsky and his holding company.

In the cash and stock deal, the terms of which have not been disclosed, Lipsky will remain in the role of Editor-in-Chief and Efune will serve as Publisher and Chairman of the Board. Advisor and partner Daniel Rosen will sit on the company’s Board of Directors.

The New York Sun Company will invest in developing the paper’s digital properties along with its much-admired coverage of politics, culture and the arts. In its editorials, the Sun will pursue its focus on constitutionalism, equality under the law, and American values. Its main source of revenue will be from digital subscriptions and other membership dues.

“From the Civil War to the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks, the Sun has, for almost two centuries, helped guide Americans through troubled waters,” said Efune. “At this time of historic lows in public trust in journalistic institutions, and with the simultaneous fraying of our constitutional covenant, the Sun will shine for all.”

“We are proud and humbled by the opportunity to build on Lipsky’s legacy and achievements to bring the Sun’s principles-based journalism back to the center of the American political and cultural conversation.”

Lipsky said he “could not be more pleased” at the success of Efune and Rosen in putting together the partnership to publish the Sun into the next generation. “I am enormously grateful to the thousands of readers who have rallied to the Sun since its revival in 2002,” Lipsky said. “And I am looking forward to working with the brilliant team the new partnership has already begun to assemble.”

Founded in 1833 by Benjamin Day, the Sun’s history is long and storied. Its great post-Civil War editor, Charles Dana, made it the largest newspaper in the world. It won a Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for an exposé of labor racketeering.

In 1950, the Sun was sold to Roy Howard and became part of The World-Telegram & the Sun. In 2002, the Sun was resurrected by Lipsky and a partner, Ira Stoll. Under their leadership it published a weekday broadsheet until September 2008, winning accolades from across the political spectrum. Since that time, it has continued to publish regular editorials and op-ed contributions on its website.

Efune served for more than a decade as CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Algemeiner and has been credited with transforming it from a Yiddish-language print publication into an active media outlet covering Israel, the Middle East, and Jewish affairs.

Efune will step down from his roles as Editor-in-Chief and CEO and will be taking on a senior position on the executive board of The Algemeiner, which will include continued oversight and leadership of the editorial and fundraising departments.

Assume the role of Executive Editor will be Managing Editor Yoni Wilkenfeld. In addition, Mendel Lazaros will serve in the role of Chief Development Officer. Rabbi Simon Jacobson, the bestselling author and lecturer, serves as Chairman and Publisher of The Algemeiner.

A successor for the Editor-in-Chief and CEO roles is expected to be named next year.

“Dovid Efune has been at the helm serving as a driving force in developing and stewarding the Algemeiner from its early stages into the powerful entity it is today. His total dedication and devotion have only been outshined by his success,” Jacobson said in a statement.

“As the Algemeiner prepares to enter its next stage of growth, we are excited that Dovid will be joining the Algemeiner’s Executive Board. This will free Dovid from day-to-day operations and allow him to focus his vast experience in helping guide the future growth of the Algemeiner.”

Efune, a resident of New York City, said he expects to launch the revamped website of the New York Sun as soon as next month.