Even after the call ended, discussion continued online, returning to both crowdsourcing and leadership as subjects. by Esther D. Kustanowitz This is the second part in a two-part series on how second-screen experiences relate to Jewish leadership and programming. … [Read more...]
When we are crafting opportunities for engagement and leadership development, we need to think about the context for the programs we create. Are there clear paths to deeper engagement? Are there opportunities to expand connection of an idea or mission so that it permeates the overstimulated minds of our audiences meaningfully, but organically? by Esther D. Kustanowitz (This is the first in a two-part series on how second-screen experiences relates to Jewish leadership and programming.) Today’s attention span, the availability of personal online devices, and indeed, the pace of business, demands that we do multiple things at once, like reading our email in meetings and checking Facebook and Twitter throughout the day via desktop browsers and mobile apps. It’s barely even considered … [Read more...]
Start with content marketing, activate intellectual capital and go from there. by Caroline Avakian Content marketing has risen to the forefront in recent years as an important tool in the nonprofit communication toolbox. It’s about creating great content: on your blog, through social media messaging, your newsletter, annual reports, case studies, whitepapers, etc. At its core, content marketing is about communicating with your supporters without selling and asking for a donation at the end. The nonprofit, social enterprise or organization is providing value by creating and sharing information, innovative ideas and insights that makes your supporter smarter and in the know. You become a resource. The result, much of the time, is that you earn the trust and loyalty of your supporters … [Read more...]
by Rabbi Mishael Zion “The crown of Torah is ready and waiting for all... all who want are invited to come and take a share” (Maimonides’ Code, Talmud Torah 3:1) Here is a proposal for Shavuot beyond the cheesecake. If the High Holidays are the time we inspect our behavior towards others, and Passover the time we take stock of our freedom, then Shavuot, being a celebration of our becoming the “People of the Book,” should be about how we are doing at learning. Granted, the number of people who maintain a practice of Jewish learning might be slim, but judging by the joy I get from reading articles on exercise and yoga without being much of a practitioner of either, I hope this project can garner some readership. Thus I offer a “Jewish Learning Checkup” for maintaining a healthy and … [Read more...]
by Yossi Prager The Book of Ruth, which we read on Shavuot, is my favorite book of the Bible. It is a great story, wonderfully told - concise, fast-paced, emotionally stirring. Without masking the flaws in human nature, the plot progresses though heroic acts of chessed, loving kindness. Ruth sacrifices to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi, who in turn selflessly seeks a re-marriage opportunity for Ruth. Ruth and Boaz show loving kindness to each other, leading to a marriage that, in a few generations, produces David, king of Israel. … [Read more...]
One of our prime goals at eJewish Philanthropy is to advance the conversation. We do this by publishing a range of pieces on topics of interest to our professional readership, by making social sharing (through facebook and Twitter) easy to use and by providing a discussion forum following following every post. And yet, as Eitan Gutin recently pointed out, many readers ignore the comments section. This is easy to understand as we are all pressed for time. After reading a post, and perhaps even adding our own comment, we generally do not return to follow the discussion. And this, unfortunately, tends to limit the conversation. As an example, let's take a look at last week's post by Mark S. Young, The $54,000 Strategy: A Bold Solution to Undervaluing our Jewish Professionals - a post that struck … [Read more...]
