20 Questions for… Chava Lipszyc

Chava grew up in Argentina and moved to the Old City of Jerusalem upon her marriage. She worked for the Kosel Tunnel Tours, a job she describes as “almost magical,” until she was recruited to Mishpacha, where she works as Production Manager, making the magic happen weekly for eager readers.

My ideal work environment

I’m happiest with the buzz of other people around me, but not on Monday, closing day, when I need to work without people talking and interrupting. I don’t need anything special in my office, besides around five staplers on my desk, because they walk, and we need them a lot.

Deadlines make me

I usually make the deadlines! My rule is: all content not related to current events has to be in by Wednesday, so that it’s edited and proofread before Shabbos. This way, on Sunday and Monday the editors can work on the current affairs sections. I explain this to the writers, and for the next few weeks they send their work in nicely on schedule. Eventually, they slip back to their normal, last-minute habits.

The professional accomplishment I’m proudest of

When I began working here, they never started designing a piece before they had the text. I knew right away that I would change this. I give the art director all the information I have, and he designs the opening page with a note “Title here” in place of the actual title. When the text is ready, any designer can insert it into the waiting design.

I also changed the closing schedule for the Yom Tov issues in two ways. We now close the magazine on the day before it goes to print. This means we leave the office around 12 a.m. instead of 4 a.m. We also close the issue before a major Yom Tov issue a day earlier than usual, to give more time for the mega issue.