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The magic of online campaigns… we’ve got them covered!
I’m about to run downstairs to film some Purim video podcasts, but thought I would write a quick (and long overdue) blog entry first. Last night, I attended the first birthday party of SoapboxMedia.com, which ran a very cool article about our virtual synagogue a few months back. Last night’s keynote speaker was Ben Self, a founding partner of Blue State Digital, the consulting firm that used digital and social media to make Obama’s amazing online campaign happen.
Self was good, and so much of what he said was an affirmation of what we are creating with OurJewishCommunity.org. Here’s what I took away from it… An online campaign needs to be…
• Passionate
• Relevant
• Transparent
• Authentic, and
• Built on relationships
I think I can safely put a checkmark next to each to each of these items. It seems they are simply a reflection of the values of OurJewishCommunity.org.
Another interesting fact I learned last night: the website mybarackobama.com connected people and triggered 20,000 groups that produced 200,000 events, mostly offline. This is something that we at OurJewishCommunity.org aspire to – we want to connect all of you, not only online but also locally in your communities.
I would love to see small groups soon being able to meet in various cities around the world – people joining together with others interested in Judaism from a humanistic perspective. I have some ideas about how to go about doing this, but I also know that this can’t all be about me (much as I love things that are all about me!). Communities need to sustain themselves from the grassroots, not from the top down. If you have suggestions about ways to make this work, I’m all ears (and keyboard, so email me).
The other stuff I found fascinating (and that made me pretty hopeful) is that 3 million donors made over $500 million of online donations. Most significant: the average online donation was less than $100, and the average Obama donor gave more than once. (Here’s an article with more info on this if you are interested). So, what this tells me is that OurJewishCommunity.org can raise money from small donations from all of you who value what we are doing and would like to see our work together continue.
And the really good news about the Soapbox party? It was in a bar, so I was able to multi-task and watch Xavier beat St. Joe’s. ‘Twas a good night.
Another Facebook Post (37 Odd Things)
This Facebook thing is a slippery slope. I know it’s overkill, so I apologize. But, once you fill out one of those Facebook notes, why not do another? I promise not to write another one, at least not for a few weeks! So, Facebook asks 37 questions (actually, there’s no #5, so it’s 36 - a nice Jewish number). Remember, these are not my answers. They are the answers of OurJewishCommunity.org. Drumroll, please….
37 ODD Things about you!
1. Do you like bleu cheese? Nope, I don’t eat.
2. Have you ever smoked? Nah, that makes me nervous.
3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Liquids that can spill on me make me nervous too.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? They scare me.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? I don’t drink liquids—but Rabbi Baum likes caffeinated beverages. She always keeps them away from her laptop, though.
9. Can you do push ups? Of course.
10. What’s your favorite only piece(s) of jewelry? My webcam.
11. Favorite hobby? Creating a progressive Jewish voice online.
12. Do you have A. D. D.? Yes. My attempts to provide lots of information make me sometimes feel like I am all over the place.
13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Just a screen.
14. Middle name? Jewish.
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: I need money; I want to reach lots of Jews; I think we need a new approach to Judaism.
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink. Judaism, humanism, and technology. They are refreshing!
17. Current worry? Money.
18. Current hate right now? Orthodox Jews who think their way is the only way.
19. Favorite place to be? Your computer screen, and everyone else’s.
20. How did you bring in the new year? By videostreaming our Rosh Hashanah services around the world.
21. Where would you like to go? 10,000 computers.
22. Name three people who will complete this: you, you, and you.
23. Do you own slippers? Of course.
24. What color shirt are you wearing? Blue, yellow, purple, orange, green. Haven’t you seen my logo?
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don’t sleep. I am available 24/7.
26. Can you whistle? Yup.
27. Where are you now? Your computer, of course.
28. Would you be a pirate? Sure, if this virtual synagogue thing doesn’t work out.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower? “If I had a million dollars…”
30. Favorite Girl’s Name? Rabbi
31. Favorite boy’s name? Rabbi
32. What is in your pocket right now? It’s really just my long to-do list, but I am also happy to see you!
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Our Valentine’s eCards.
34. What vehicle do you drive? I don’t drive, but I am a vehicle—for progressive Jewish ideas and activities.
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? Server went down for a few hours.
36. Do you love where you live? Yup, but I want to live everywhere!
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? I don’t have a TV, but you should expect more great videos from me soon!
25 Random Things: A Facebook Phenomenon
If you are on Facebook, you have probably heard of the “25 Random Things About Me” note that’s going around. Something like 5 million people have each published 25 random things about themselves and passed them along to friends and family. It’s been covered in Time and on ABC News. Slate published what might be the definitive history of the note. I’m not sure exactly what to think about this phenomenon—on the one hand, it’s weird that people would take so much time to post really boring things about themselves, like “I like green vegetables.” Yet, others are fairly introspective, “Sometimes I wonder whether my regrets will outnumber those things of which I am proud.”
It turns out that it really might be a good way to get to know people better. So, I decided to do it (I think I’m supposed to admit that I’m giving in to peer pressure, or something). But, one catch… it’s not about me. I’ve written it on behalf of OurJewishCommunity.org. So here’s OurJewishCommunity.org’s list of 25 Random things…
1. I was conceived in Cincinnati, Ohio in the early part of 2008 and officially born on September 1st, 2008.
2. In my first five-ish months of life, I have attracted over 3,000 visitors from more than 40 countries and 47 states in the U.S. Question: Utah, Montana, and Wyoming, where are you?
3. I enjoy my time on Facebook, and on twitter as well.
4. My rabbis are Rabbi Laura Baum and Rabbi Robert Barr.
5. My sister is Congregation Beth Adam in Cincinnati, Ohio.
6. There is no greater joy than hearing from the people who have visited the site through emails and comments that they post.
7. I am continually bothered by the high number of traditional Orthodox websites, and I want to be a resource for liberal Jews. I hate it when people associate more traditional with more Jewish. Traditional Jews do not have a monopoly on Judaism.
8. Some people say that we are destroying the Jewish community. They are wrong. We recognize Judaism is an evolving religion, and we are willing to redefine how the Jewish community is created.
9. I hope to travel to about 2,000 more houses this year, and another 5,000 in my second year of life. It’s exhausting!
10. Viral marketing is the key to my success, so please spread me around.
11. I cannot exist without all of you, so please help build me into the contemporary Jewish experience you would like to see.
12. I am open to feedback, so please email Rabbi Baum with any questions, comments, or suggestions. She’ll be sure to get the word to me.
13. I aspire to meet some famous people, especially Jewish philanthropists. So, if you know any, please send them my way.
14. Have you seen Rabbi Baum’s videos or listened to Rabbi Barr’s podcasts? I heard through the grapevine that they’ll be posting more soon, so stay tuned!
15. I love the eCards on the site, and I’m so grateful to the volunteers who designed them.
16. Speaking of volunteers, did you know that all of the web design, development, and support have been donated through an extremely generous in-kind donation? We’re so lucky to have that.
17. My favorite Jewish holiday is Hanukkah.
18. I am a cost-effective solution for reaching many Jews. And, yet, I do need some money to continue. Would you consider making a donation to our cause? Every penny counts.
19. If I were going to be a Jewish food, it would definitely be challah.
20. The Forward newspaper, PresenTense Magazine, SoapboxMedia.com, the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, and David’s Voice have already featured articles on me. Do you know any reporters who might be interested in doing a new story about me? I love attention!
21. Videostreaming the high holidays last year was a great success. We can’t wait to do it next year!
22. I blend Judaism, humanism, and technology. Who else can say that?
23. I am committed to providing a voice for progressive Jews.
24. I am constantly thinking about the nature of community.
25. This relationship is a two-way street; please let me know what you are looking for from me…my mind-reading software is on back-order!
Happy Birthday Darwin! An Armadillo Walked into the Sanctuary…
No, it’s not the beginning of a stupid joke. It’s what happened yesterday at Congregation Beth Adam during Religious School. We invited the armadillo and some other creatures for a party! February 12, 2009 would have been Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday. So, we decided it was a perfect excuse to have some cake (though they were a bit confused at the bakery when we called to order a cake that said “Happy 200th Charlie!) and to talk about evolution - and science.
We invited the Cincinnati Zoo for an educational visit. Enter the armadillo, and a bird, and a ginormous cockroach (ginormous as cockroaches go, at least), and a little baby alligator (adorable, though it has 80 teeth!).
So, why the cake and the animals? We wanted to celebrate, of course! We wanted to celebrate Darwin’s birthday, and we wanted to acknowledge that we respect science. We value science, and we value religion. We do not think the two should get confused. But, we do know that scientific facts are often the trump card.
To learn more about religious institutions that are taking a stand and willing to say they understand that evolution is sound science and poses no problems for their faith, check out the clergy letter project.
My colleagues tell me that I won’t be able to have the zoo come for Darwin’s birthday if I work at another congregation. I think that would be rather unfortunate. The adults and children had a great time, and learned a lot as we all affirmed that science informs how we think. We are not afraid to let science into the doors of our religious institutions. To exclude it would mean we would be doing ourselves a great disservice.
Do Jews celebrate Valentine’s Day? Jewish-Valentine’s Day eCards
When I was a kid, I remember being shocked to learn that my friends who went to Jewish day schools could not celebrate Valentine’s Day at school. They were told that Valentine’s Day was a Christian holiday, named after St. Valentine and that “Jews don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day.” Another friend of mine, around the time of his Bar Mitzvah, wished his (Reform!) rabbi a “Happy Valentine’s Day” and got chastised for mentioning a Christian holiday.
For those who didn’t know it was Christian in origin - you’re not alone. After all, most people don’t head to Church or talk about Jesus on Valentine’s Day. But, I’ll let you look at Wikipedia to learn about the origins of the holiday, if you are interested.
It seems to me, lots of Jews do celebrate Valentine’s Day, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s become a secular holiday - a day about love (incidentally that had nothing to do with its origins, most likely). I think it’s pretty cross-cultural, and we should join in.
Now, you may have other reasons to oppose Valentine’s Day, like you think it’s a commercial holiday designed by Hallmark so they can make a lot of money. Or you may be single on Valentine’s Day and think the holiday is no fun. I respect both of those sentiments. But…… if the reason you’re not going to celebrate Valentine’s Day is because you’re Jewish - that seems like a terrible reason!
So, I say, send a Jewish Valentine’s Day eCard. People have been sending valentines since the 17th century (and maybe even as early as 1415 when Charles, Duke of Orleans, sent his wife romantic poems from jail). And, now, people will be sending Jewish Valentine’s Day eCards starting in 2009. Who would have thunk? People may even read about us in history books- so be part of the trend! Remember, if you don’t want to give in to the commercialism and support Hallmark, send a free eCard from OurJewishCommunity.org. Check out our Valentine’s Day eCards and send them to everyone you know. True Love… Jew Love.
For a Rabbi, I Sure Talk about the Pope a lot
So, last time I wrote about the Pope’s YouTube channel… But now, there’s bad news. This situation with the Pope and Bishop Williamson who denies the Holocaust continues. An article in today’s New York Times outlines what’s going on.
Last month, Pope Benedict revoked the excommunications of four bishops from the ultra right-wing Society of St. Pious X. Among those four was Bishop Richard Williamson who denies the Holocaust. He says there was no antisemitism and there were no gas chambers. He says no more than 300,000 Jews died in the Holocaust. He is so wrong, and the idea that he says this stuff is unbelievable. If you don’t believe it, watch it for yourself.
I guess it’s not surprising that this so-called bishop says so many horrible things. The traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, of which he is a part, protests Vatican II - that wonderful document that is dedicated to ecumenism and religious liberty, and thankfully lets us modern Jews off the hook for crucifying Christ. It’s a good thing, since we didn’t do it.
Yet, Pope Benedict decided to revoke the excommunication of Bishop Williamson, according to the Times, “in an effort to heal a rift within the church…a first step on a longer path toward the society’s full reconciliation with the church.” If I were Benedict, I would want a rift between mainstream Catholics and Holocaust deniers. No need for reconciliation here.
On a lighter note (pun intended), the New York Times had another article today saying that people have success dieting or meeting other goals when they make a financial bet. There’s even a website devoted to this (that’s not an endorsement of the site; I haven’t used it). On that site, you set a goal, set the stakes, and find a referee. Okay, I know this all seems like a non-sequitur. Still, here’s my point. Some people decide if they don’t meet their goal they will give money to a charity or friend. But, others go with the “foe or anti-charity” method. As the website says, “Wouldn’t it just kill you to hand over your hard-earned money to someone you can’t stand?” So, I’m thinking I might set a goal, and create the stakes so that I have to give money to Bishop Williamson if I don’t meet my goal. I’m pretty sure I would do anything to avoid giving this dangerous guy a penny.
Book Review of Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man who would Cure the World
A review of Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man who would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder
After you read this, please login and comment to share your thoughts.
To sum this book up, it is the story of an extraordinary man: Dr. Paul Farmer. Farmer is caring, compassionate, smart, thoughtful, driven, and a champion of the rights of the poor. Farmer sees pathology, social medicine, politics, and anthropology as inseparable - and this drives the work he does.
Farmer helps save the world, but only by compromising other aspects of his life. He talks about the challenges of balancing meetings, raising money, politics, and direct care. And, certainly, his family and personal relationships suffer. But, Farmer doesn’t seem to mind. He criticizes “white liberals” who think that the world’s problems can be solved without sacrifice to them. He fights against the unfair distribution of wealth.
While the book does not explicitly talk much about religion, it does touch on the subject. Farmer says he does not act primarily out of religious or political motivations, but rather out of curiosity. In addition, Farmer sees anthropology as focusing on meaning. This entails exploring politics, economic systems, and histories. Farmer even tries to understand the causes of bad stuff, like suffering and illness from a holistic approach.
Among the many topics he studied, he learned a bit about liberation theology - a branch of Catholicism. Liberation theology was developed by Latin American theologians, and some of its tenets were endorsed in the 1960s by Latin America’s Catholic bishops. In this theology, it is the responsibility of the church to provide “a preferential option of the poor.” According to Farmer, this was quite different than the mainstream understanding of Catholicism which focuses its teaching on other areas, such as no premarital sex. Yet, he adds “if I had to choose between lib[eration] theo[logy], or any ology, I would go with science as long as service to the poor went along with it. But I don’t have to make that choice, do I?” (pg. 86).
Farmer even mentions how Haitian peasants understand how God allows suffering - they say “God gives but doesn’t share” (page 79). Farmer explains this: God gives people what they need, but people have to divide up what God has given. It’s fitting, because it is similar to liberation theology - which encourages people to face reality and to act quickly. It focuses on the horror of poverty and on fixing it immediately.
It is ironic how Farmer came to value faith; he says, “the fact that any sort of religious faith was so disdained at Harvard and so important to the poor…made me even more convinced that faith must be something good” (pg. 85). Yet, Farmer understands faith fairly broadly - he references faith in penicillin, faith in clinical trials, and faith in scientific progress.
I admire Farmer’s courage, dedication, and thoughtfulness. He does not view anything in isolation but rather chooses to delve into the interconnectedness of life. He fights for all people, saying that patients have priority, then prisoners, then students - which for Farmer, covers almost everyone. Dr. Farmer sees every person with illness as a potential patient and every healthy person as a potential student. Farmer almost seems a little too perfect, but he admits one of his flaws. Although all the major religions say “love they neighbor as thyself,” Farmer does not feel he can do that, though he strives to. His honesty is striking.
At heart, this book is uplifting, but I found at times that I felt like I was not doing enough. Dr. Paul Farmer is an extraordinary man, and I know my accomplishments, intelligence, and even aspirations fall short of his. What am I to do? Feel good that there are people like Farmer in the world, or feel badly that I am not up to his caliber? Does reading a book like this move me beyond my passivity - to a recognition that I can, indeed, make a significant difference in the lives of many?
Questions to consider:
- The book’s title, Mountains Beyond Mountains, comes from a Haitian proverb, “beyond mountains, there are mountains.” Why do you think Farmer chose this as the title for his book? Is it optimistic or pessimistic?
- The book quotes Margaret Mead who said: “Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world. Indeed, they are the only ones who ever have.” With the recent inauguration of President Obama and the associated emphasis on change and personal responsibility, does this book speak to us more than before? Are we empowered to bring about change, or is it daunting?
- How do we read books about such extraordinary individuals without feeling badly that we are not doing our part?
- Knowing that Farmer’s personal life and family suffered (he had a young child whom he rarely saw), how do we reconcile this with the work that he did? Do the ends justify the means? How do we find balance in our own lives?
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