Since the first Jewish newspaper was printed in Amsterdam in the 17th century, the Jewish media have never ceased to record the joys and agonies of Jewish life around the globe. Today, they serve as a foremost source for the observation of social, economic, political, cultural, religious, and literary trends in past and present Jewish communities. Moreover, they provide insight into Jewish communication inside the community and with the outside world.

Yet for most Israelis, the Diaspora Jewish communities remain an abstraction. Israelis have almost no exposure to the North American or other Jewish media. Consequently, they have little understanding of what actually drives their Jewish brethren elsewhere - of the structure of their daily lives, their concerns, their needs, and their aspiration. Similarly Jewish communities in North America, South America, and Europe are often unaware of the complexities and unique constraints underpinning life in Israel.

In order to address this gap in knowledge and sensitivity, the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Center for the Media of the Jewish People at Tel Aviv University promotes contacts and exchange between the Israeli media and their Jewish counterparts across the globe, with a special focus on North America.

The Center includes a research institute and an information center on the Jewish print and electronic media. It publishes "Kesher", a semiannual journal, and conducts various academic and public activities intended to open windows of understanding between the Israeli public and the Diaspora, hopefully leading to new channels of communication, dialogue and co-operation.