The Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism, the most prestigious accolades in Jewish media, have been announced. Known to some as the ‘Jewish Pulitzers,’ the awards were initiated in 1980 to promote quality Jewish journalism and are given out at the AJPA’s annual conference every June. And, keeping up with the times, the AJPA recognizes Outstanding Websites as one of the fifteen categories. We salute the winners in the Web-only publications division: First Place InterfaithFamily.com, Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts AJPA comments: A fabulous resource site that answers the easy and tough questions surrounding an interfaith family life. The site is easy to use, accessibly written, and discrete when necessary. This site makes a valuable contribution to the … Continue Reading
Do You Have a Web Strategy?
Having an Internet presence is one thing. Having an Internet strategy is something more. At the Direct Marketing Association New York Nonprofit Conference, Laura Durington of Catholic Relief Services and Anthony Jones of Ducks Unlimited emphasized the importance of having an Internet strategy, and they offered five points toward getting that done. Remember that an Internet presence is an opportunity for you to listen, as well as for you to speak to donors. The starting point for content strategy, they said, is to establish your site as the “online” authority for your business. Know your site analytics. Know what turns your audience on. What content presents the most value to your visitors? Make content material they want, not what you want. Let them know when you launch something … Continue Reading
NewsBits: Around The Jewish Web
First up, this is apparently a week to announce mergers and brand overhauls. from The New York Jewish Week: Major Youth Groups to Join Forces As the economy has worsened, there have been calls for Jewish organizations to merge and consolidate, but little to show for it. Now comes word that two Washington-based national Jewish groups aimed at teen involvement are about to join forces. By Sept. 1, Panim, which promotes Jewish leadership and values, will become a division of BBYO, the venerable teen social and leadership group. from The Jerusalem Post: 'Tablet Magazine' launches in attempt to set Jewish life to multimedia Equal parts newspaper, magazine, Web site, radio and video, Tablet Magazine launched on Tuesday as a daily publication promising a "new read on Jewish … Continue Reading
Website Design: Remember the Basics
Non profit websites share many of the same best practices as any website. They need to be user friendly, easily navigable, and use appropriate fonts, colors, and other design elements. Your non profit’s website needs to make it easy to find out more about your cause, to donate money, and to become more involved. It needs to make it easy for media contacts to find the information they need and the contact information of key personnel. And it needs to do all this in a way that’s inviting to your organization’s targeted donors and/or volunteers. Here are eight best practices for designing non profit websites from Smashing Magazine: Make Your Site Donor-Friendly Make Your Site Media-Friendly Make Your Site Volunteer-Friendly Make Sure Your Organization’s Purpose is Immediately … Continue Reading
New Internet-Based Initiative to Showcase Programming from Jewish Institutions
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (The Foundation) today announced a $1 million grant to JTN Productions (JTN) for development of Virtual JLA, an Internet site that will showcase programming from Southern California’s leading Jewish institutions. The grant will be made in increments over a multi-year period. According to JTN, Virtual JLA aims to fuel the democratization of Jewish knowledge, prayer, celebration, and community, as well as to let all Jews access the best local resources to discover a connection with Judaism that is both individual and communal. JTN plans to partner with educational institutions and synagogues in Southern California and around the world to produce content, for outreach and community-building. … Continue Reading
Israeli Entrepreneurial Spirit Exhibition Opens at Second Life Israel
In honor of Israel’s 61st birthday Second Life Israel will be opening an exhibit titled ‘The Israeli entrepreneurial Spirit’ showcasing some of Israel’s finest innovations in a variety of fields. The exhibit’s opening will feature technology expert and Metaverse Labs Founder Dr. Yesha Sivan as its guest of honor. The event will take place in SL Israel on Sunday May 31st at 10 AM SLT (1 PM NYC, 8 PM Jerusalem time). The Israeli Entrepreneurial Spirit highlights 16 leading Israeli companies in the social, environmental, medical and technological fields. Each of these companies represents the best in Israeli innovation, making a difference in ways that better their communities and the lives of people from around the world. This exhibit is a natural fit for Israel, long described as a … Continue Reading
Cyber Innovations
We often think of our synagogues as havens from the frenzy of the outside world, places in which we turn off our cell phones, pagers, and beepers. In reality, though, many Reform Jews, congregations, and institutions are turning toward technology to develop innovative practices that enrich worship, enhance sacred space, educate, and build community, within the synagogue and beyond. From Reform Judaism Magazine, here's a snapshot of how technology is changing how member congregations build and nurture rich, meaningful community. … Continue Reading
Tell Me a Story 2.0
We talk a lot about how important it is for nonprofits to be good storytellers. Yet, when you see how that translates online, many organizations are still functioning in the Olivetti era. Telling good stories today means reminding yourself of Marshall McLuhan’s prescient comment, “The medium is the message.” While great storytelling requires more than understanding what medium [aka space/channel] you are using, it should certainly be a concern at the top of your list when you plan your story telling strategy today. With so many easy to use, free/low cost digital tools at your fingertips storytelling should be a highly visual event as well as one rich in thoughts and ideas. We know that a picture is worth a thousand words. In the digital storytelling age, a picture is worth a million … Continue Reading
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