Being a journalist is not for everyone, but some people are made for it. It is a natural calling where passion for research, writing, and adrenaline coalesce into an addictive rush unlike any other.
When Shir Perets applied to work at The Jerusalem Post in 2024, it was just one of 200 jobs she had applied for. Only the Post got back to her.
But Perets wasn’t the only lucky one – we were as well.
A gifted writer and skilled manager and editor, Perets quickly became indispensable, as the job of a journalist came so naturally to her. Within a few weeks, the paper’s assistant managing editor called her the Post’s newest rising star, and she has never disappointed. Her dedication was self-evident very quickly, as she insisted on working even while serving in the IDF reserves.
And then came the Amsterdam pogrom. Though still a newcomer to the job, Perets handled the entire event practically singlehandedly. And her coverage was more than just excellent journalism – it literally saved lives.
Perets has recently been promoted to desk manager and has already been excelling in the chaos-filled environment of breaking news. But it’s not just her skill at working under pressure that makes her so invaluable; it’s also her gift with the written word. In that regard, Shir Perets is truly one in a million – a natural-born journalist, and we have no doubt that we’re only at the beginning of what is sure to be a stellar career.
In Jerusalem sat down with Perets to hear her story.
What brought you to Israel?
I was 10 when we moved here, but I had always known we’d be going. My dad would always talk about moving back to Israel. When I was a kid, I remember asking him about if we would ever move back, and he would always correct me and say ‘when we move back.’
He would say either this life or the next, but we’re going back. But luckily, it was this life.
What got you into journalism?
The truth is that I needed a job. All I wanted when I got my degree in English literature and communications was to write for a living.
I didn’t originally have a passion for journalism. In fact, being a reservist in a post-Oct. 7 Israel saw me actively avoid reading the news.
But I wanted to write, and I was applying everywhere where I could write for a job. I had daily alerts set up from LinkedIn for that reason. I applied for more than 200 jobs, actually.
And one of them was at The Jerusalem Post.
How has your time been at the ‘Post’?
When I started working here, I set an alarm on my phone, a calendar alert for three months later on November 20 that just said ‘Quit job.’ I almost left after my first shift and never went back. But after that first shift, desk manager Joanie Margulies texted me: ‘You did a really good job today.’ So I went back the next day.
Even when the work was so stressful, the people were always so kind and so amazing. Eventually, November 20 came and went, and I realized I didn’t want to leave and find another job. I realized that I wanted to make this my career.
What is your favorite moment from your career?
I will tell you about the exact moment I wanted to be a journalist: It was the night of the Amsterdam pogrom. I was on overnight shift with someone who didn’t speak Hebrew. I was trawling social media looking for Hebrew stuff, and I saw fights breaking out after this soccer match. And that’s normal. But then I saw in the headlines that Israel lost the game, and I thought, if Israel won in an away game, I’d understand some violence because they came into their home turf and beat them. But Israel lost, so what was the point [of the violence]?
And then I went onto social media, and I saw the videos that were coming out of Amsterdam. I was the only one on shift who spoke Hebrew.
I started reporting: Social media videos show violence breaking out in Amsterdam. I didn’t get up out of my seat for seven hours straight that shift. I sat there working non-stop. Diaspora correspondent Michael Starr put me in touch with Chabad of Amsterdam. I was posting and pushing out report updates. I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie, and there was a rush there.
But I felt so fulfilled and accomplished.
I handed the shift over to the morning team, and I went home and went to bed. The next day, I had people reaching out to me on my personal social media telling me I kept them safe during the violence with my updates. My writing had a real visible impact. People were saved from being hurt or worse.
Dutch national media contacted me to talk about what happened. They wanted to ask about why one girl in Israel reported about what happened better than the Dutch government did.
And then I knew I wanted to do this forever. Any thought of pursuing other careers flew out the window at that moment.
What advice do you have for aspiring journalists?
Know that it’s not for everyone. It has taken an extreme toll on my mental health and physical health. But I love it. At the end of every shift, I’m exhausted but I know I did my best. And I enjoy my chaos. But not everyone does, and that’s okay. And it’s important to recognize that it’s okay.
If you do think it’s for you, though, then know you need to push. Because the only way out is through, and you get to see how rewarding it is.