When Yom Tov comes, that means special projects.  A look at the processes behind 20 of these special products

Many years ago, when Mishpacha’s original editorial team met to plan a Yom Tov magazine, visionary editor-in-chief Rabbi Moshe Grylak ztz”l leaned forward in his chair. His blue eyes glinting with youthful creativity, he issued a challenge: “Why don’t you do something different? Something fresh. A project, a collection of articles about a single topic — maybe on Jewish kingdoms of the ancient world?”

That challenge spawned a whole new concept for Mishpacha. Since that brainstorming session, virtually every Yom Tov lineup includes some sort of creative “project” — a highly invested collection of pieces revolving around a single theme.

Over the years, some of those projects were lighthearted, like the visits to friendly family grocery stores around the world. Others were serious and thoughtful, like the supplement of “lasts” — the last yeshivah to operate before the Holocaust, the last Jew to leave Gush Katif, the last cassette tape to be produced on the Jewish music scene.

The formats also varied. Our “Street Beat” project touring major frum thoroughfares appeared inside the main magazine; our collected profiles of prominent father-son pairs filled a stand-alone supplement.

When discussing a Yom Tov project with our art team, the basic instructions are always the same: within the basic Mishpacha visual framework, this should feel like its own “briyah,” its own creation. It should have its own unique vibe and look, with visual elements that reflect the particular theme and mood of the project.

To pull that off, our team explores new fonts and different photography styles. New visual templates are built, and the graphic artists are encouraged to work with different color palettes. Yes, the read should feel like a Mishpacha experience — but it should also broadcast that directive that animated Rabbi Grylak so many years back: Let’s do something different!

Follow the Leaders

Succos 5770

The very first standalone theme supplement appeared in the Succos edition of 5770. It was a bold step — and almost a crazy one, from a logistical perspective.

The concept: Dispatch seven writers to seven different communities, and ask them to bring back a colorful, detailed picture of the community along with its rav. We wanted to watch the rabbanim in action, hear about their unique challenges and accomplishments — and along with that, to convey the flavor of their location.

This type of project should take months to coordinate, but we were newbies, and we gave ourselves about three weeks. (We clearly didn’t know what we were getting into.) Thanks to our hardworking writers, production, editorial, proofreading, and graphic teams, come Succos, readers were treated to an armchair traveling experience to Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Paris, among other locations — along with an intimate look at their frum communities and leaders.

And we realized we’d set a bar that we would have to meet next Yom Tov.