Letter From the Editor
Dear Reader,
I started The Advantage Journal because I wanted something that didn’t exist.
I was a freshman deeply interested in the intersection of economics and policy: in the joint world of business and politics that, to me, is the lens through which the entire world becomes legible. But I had nowhere to explore that. No courses. No publications. No community. Nothing. So I started reading the financial press on my own, trying to self-educate. Yet, I kept running into walls, over and over: the content was either too inaccessible —dense with jargon written for professionals, not curious teenagers— or it was so filtered through political bias that it stopped feeling like education and more like indoctrination.
I wanted to be educated. I wanted a network. I wanted real experience. I wanted to hear and to be heard. So, in the overly polarized and localized, undereducated and overconfident world I found myself in, I sought an Advantage.
The Advantage is built on a simple belief: that business, finance, and markets are not elusive concepts dividing classes and cultures but rather the lifeblood of civilizations that connects them all. They are the language of governments and cultures, of decisions and consequences, of human ambition and human failure. To understand them is to understand people. And to understand people —across countries, across cultures, across backgrounds wildly different from your own— is to gain something irreplaceable.
We are living in a fast world. A world of clever, filtered, short-form everything: where ideas are processed until they all come out the same. The Advantage is a direct rejection of that. We take raw talent, original thought, and genuine intellectual curiosity, and we level them up through research, debate, and connection with students on the other side of the globe who see situations from entirely different perspectives.
This publication runs entirely on ambition and appreciation for honest work. There is no ceiling here except for the one you set yourself. What I want, more than anything, is to watch what you are capable of when given a real platform and real responsibility. I have seen what this team can do, and I am certain there is more.
If you are a reader: welcome. Read critically. Think for yourself. Push back on what you disagree with.
If you are a prospective contributor, welcome. I cannot wait to see what you bring.
Our world is full of short-form oversimplifications, misinformation, filters, and echo chambers.
It is time for something different.
It is time to seize The Advantage.
Sincerely,
Leah Barzideh
Editor-in-Chief & Founder
The Advantage Journal
Your Questions, Answered
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This journal explores the world of business, finance, and economics through engaging stories, trends, and insights that matter. It is designed to educate both the writers and readers, giving students a platform to develop their understanding while sharing their voices. Beyond academics, it connects Jewish students from around the world, highlighting inspiring business stories, market phenomena, and global economic shifts, all in a way that’s relatable, actionable, and community-focused.
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This journal is a welcoming space for students to explore business, finance, and economics while learning together. It’s meant to educate both writers and readers, connect Jewish students from all over the world, and give students a real platform to share their ideas and perspectives.
Want to join? It’s easy 😊 Just fill out this form: https://forms.gle/GD2UXm1tVMeYtZ288. Once you apply, we’ll review your application, and if you’re accepted, you’ll get an email letting you know your team leader, which team you’re on, and what your role will be.
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What makes us different is simple but powerful: we’re international and 100% student-led. Students don’t just write here- we run everything. The journal is managed, edited, and operated by students, including the financial and legal sides, which means real responsibility and real ownership.
We also tackle big, complex topics usually reserved for adults- markets, global economics, business ethics, politics, and culture- but break them down in a way that teens actually care about and can relate to. Instead of talking about young people, we let young people lead the conversation.
And beyond the content, we’re building something bigger: a global network of Jewish students who think critically, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. It’s not just a publication- it’s a platform for serious ideas, real learning, and voices that are usually left out of the room.
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Visit the page that says “Contact us!” with all our contact information :)
We’ll typically respond between 1-3 business days.
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Any student ages 13–18, from anywhere in the world, who is passionate about business, politics, religion, or pop culture — and who genuinely strives for truth 100% of the time. Writers, editors, analysts, designers, and thinkers are all welcome.
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Nope — it’s completely free.
That said… time is money, and this does require real commitment. If you’re looking for something serious, meaningful, and worth your effort, you’re in the right place. -
No. The Advantage is fully independent. Writers are encouraged to explore ideas from any perspective, as long as they remain respectful and prioritize substance, evidence, and thoughtful analysis over emotional rants.
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Working for The Advantage is very much what you make of it. Depending on your role, your interests, and how much you choose to take on, time commitments can range from light and flexible to more hands-on and leadership-focused.
Across the board, you’re guaranteed three things: you’ll have fun, you’ll connect with Jewish students from around the world, and you’ll gain real-world experience in something you genuinely care about — all within a 100% student-led publication.
Because The Advantage is a registered LLC, the work is real, not simulated. Students interested in law can engage with official legal processes and compliance. Those passionate about finance or business can work on sponsorships, budgeting, and managing printing and operating costs. Writers and analysts get published experience researching and tackling big ideas. And students who demonstrate initiative and excellence can earn merit-based leadership roles, gaining hands-on management experience running an international organization.
There’s no one “right” way to be involved. Whether you want to explore a specific passion or help build something meaningful from the ground up, The Advantage gives you the platform — how far you take it is up to you.