JewishBoston.com

As requested: The High Holidays Toolkit

At our most recent organizational roundtable meeting, it became very clear that what you wanted was a toolkit to help promote your High Holiday activities better.

We have created that toolkit for you!

 Why should I post my blogs and events on JewishBoston.com?

How to enter an event

High Holiday event listing tips

Raising visibility for The High Holidays by blogging

Video: how and why should I use it? 

Ok, I've added my blog post and events, now what? 

 

Now that you have your tools... what should you do?

Get posting!

The High Holiday section of the site will go live on August 15th and promotion and publicity will begin on Monday, September 5th. Get those events listed, and start thinking and writing those blog posts.

As we witnessed at Passover, our traffic triples around the holidays. Let us help get you going so you can be a part of this exciting holiday season. 

So you want to post a blog...

Here's a quick tutorial on blogging for JewishBoston.com.

FIRST STEP FOR INDIVIDUALS:
First, make sure you have an account on the site. If you don't, just go to www.JewishBoston.com and click on "Join" in the top, right-hand corner of the page. Most important among the account setup would be to upload a photo of yourself and write a one-line byline that will show up below your posts. If you already have an account, when you log in, you are taken to the "My JewishBoston" tab - on the right side of the page is a button to edit your profile, which will take you to the page where you can write your byline and add your picture. Your byline can be as simple as "David lives in Jamaica Plain" or as complex as you'd like.

FIRST STEP FOR ORGANIZATIONS:
There are two ways to blog on behalf of an organization. The simplest way is to log into that organization’s account and follow the instructions below. However, we’d recommend you set it up to make the individual authors visible by linking their personal accounts to your organization’s blog. To do this, log into the organizational account. Click on “Admin” in the top, right-hand corner and then on “Our Blog” on the admin menu (below the “home” button). On the upper-right hand corner of the “Our Blog” page you’ll see a list of authors with a search box. Type in anyone’s UserID there to add them as an author. The site will ask you to confirm that you want to add that user as an administrator – click yes.

TO WRITE A NEW BLOG POST
Click on the "Blogs" button and then click on the blue "Add a post" button to create a new blog post.

If you have been authorized to post on behalf of an organization (see above), you will see a drop-down menu at the top of the blog-posting page labeled “Associated with.” Be sure to choose the organization before doing anything else on the page. You can not switch this choice after beginning your blog without losing all your work.

If you prefer to compose your blog in a word processor and paste it into the blogging tool, beware that copying from other websites (including blogs and Google Docs) embeds invisible style tags that show up in ugly ways when you paste into our site, so it's necessary to paste into a Word Processor first and then paste that into the blogging tool. As of July 2011, we've upgraded our blogging software so that copying and pasting from Microsoft Word directly into our blogging tool should work just fine.

If you have ever blogged before, the blogging tool should feel familiar. The icon that looks like two links of a chain enables you to add links. Because of the way our site is formatted, I'd encourage you to also bold any linked text -- it just looks better. The icon that looks like a framed picture is for inserting images, and the icon that looks like a strip of film is for inserting videos. Let me know if you need some tutorial on how each of those tools works. Here are some quick tips on inserting pictures & videos as well as style and formatting.

And, of course, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. You can e-mail me at editor@jewishboston.com or give me a call at 617-457-8535.

Relaunching the JewishBoston.com Development Blog

Welcome back to the JewishBoston.com Development Blog! 

Here you'll find the ongoing documentation and discussion related to improvements, tweaks, and new functionality for JewishBoston.com.  We started this project with lots of community input and feedback and tried to be as transparent as possible in the creation process.  Why change now?

As we move forward, we'll be posting details here and selective tidbits on the JewishBoston.com site.

Sometime today the JewishBoston.com DNS will change to the real site

Closer and closer!  We're working through some final search quirks before we switch the DNS from the development blog to the live site.

Besides "soft launch", I'm starting to think of this next phase of Kvetch and Kvell.  Kvetch because there will be things that don't work and Kvell because there's lots of stuff that does!

We'll be posting an ongoing list of feedback, likes, and bugs on the site itself.

After JewishBoston goes live, this blog will available as a link from the site, probably in the About Us section.

Cheers!

The soft launch of JewishBoston.com

Sorry for the lack of blog posts in the past week or so, we've been busy TESTING the new site!

Last Monday January 25, just as promised, Cantina delivered the JewishBoston.com website to us for user acceptance.  As of last night, there have been 377 bugs and items identified. Almost all of the very bad stuff has been fixed. 

We are on track for our February 10 soft launch and our March 1 launch. 

What's a soft launch you may ask?  Soft launch is a dress rehearsal. That's when you get to see the site. The organizations will be learning how to use the site, and we'll be getting all the information in.  During that time, we've scheduled a large number of organizational trainings to make it as convenient as possible.

Our thanks to the 67 people who have signed up so far! If you represent a Jewish organization on a professional or volunteer basis, please click here to sign up for training.

Our soft launch just happens to coincide with the Synagogue Council's February 10th program on Facebook, Twitter, Websites and Online Video, which we're honored to be co-sponsoring.  Lisa Colton of Darim Online will keynote. You may have heard of the Technology Bookcamps she runs. There's also 3 practical breakout sessions, also a small exposition, and dinner. 

Click here to reserve your space at the Feb 10th Symposium.  I hope you can come.  Making the space to mull over how the Jewish community can leverage technology is an good use of time for everyone, and not just for us geeks. It's at Temple Aliyah in Needham.  Registration begins at 5 and dinner at 5:30.  Come early to browse the exhibition and schmooze a bit.

On February 10th, we're also doing our first JewishBoston organizational training prior to the symposium.  That training is full but many others are available, both before and after school break.  We happy to schedule more if needed.  Here's the link to training again. 

Curious what's in training?  Here is the start of the organizational manual that will accompany launch.  Please let us know what else you'd like to see covered or any other questions you have.

Organizational Training Schedule - Sign up now!

We’re delighted to announce the organizational training schedule for JewishBoston.com.  We officially go "live" on March 1.  Even before that date, we want to make sure that as much information as possible is loaded into JewishBoston.com and that all of the organizations and synagogues are also up and running.

During this free training, we’ll show you how to take advantage of JewishBoston.com’s easy to use features:

• Promoting your events
• Using the e-commerce and event registration system
• Blogging and how to share your news
• Updating your organizational listing
• Best practices to keep your information fresh and compelling
• Facebook and Twitter integration

Training is a hands on experience.  We will have a limited number of laptops available.  However, if you can bring your own, we’d be grateful.  We want all attendees to be able to kick the tires and touch the merchandise. 

Please let others in your organization who may want to come to training.  We recommend that
two  participants from each organization attend.

Click here to register for one of the following sessions:

Wed, February 10th, 3:00 - 5:00 pm (a pre-session to Synagogue Council’s excellent program on Facebook, Twitter, Websites and Online Video.  Synagogues only, please.)
Temple Aliyah of Needham, 1664 Central Avenue, Needham, MA

Thurs, February 11, 3:00 - 5:00 pm
CJP, 126 High Street, Boston, MA

Wed, February 17th , 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA

Thurs, February 18th , 9:00 – 11:00 am
Young Israel of Brookline, 62 Green Street, Brookline, MA

Thurs, February 18th , 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Young Israel of Brookline, 62 Green Street, Brookline, MA

Thurs, February 18th , 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Young Israel of Brookline, 62 Green Street, Brookline, MA

Mon, February 22, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon, MA

Tues, February 23, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Jewish Family and Children’s Service, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA

Tues, February 23, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Jewish Family and Children’s Service, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA

Tues, February 23, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Jewish Family and Children’s Service, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA   

Wed, February 24, 9:00 – 11:00 am
Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, 475 Franklin Street, Suite 101, Framingham, MA

Wed, February 24, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Temple Ohabei Shalom, 1187 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA

And... we may be adding a session in Malden.

Amazon eCommerce and JewishBoston.com

We’ve gotten a few questions recently about how ecommerce will work on JewishBoston.com.  Here’s a quick overview, with more to come in our FAQ and help system after launch.

First, we’re using Amazon as our e-wallet system.  We’re really happy about this choice.  We also looked at Google Checkout, Paypal, Authorize.net. 

Beyond the rock solid security, Amazon offers competitive rates and was easy for Cantina to work with.  If you want the technical details, Cantina is using the flexible payment system tools and has created a JewishBoston.com marketplace. 

Using Amazon FPS, organizations will be able to accept donations and event registrations, co-brand their payment pages, and easily manage their own payment receipts, refunds, and reporting.  For obvious reasons, we wanted to stay out of the reconciliation and funds distribution end of things.  Amazon payments are easy to set up and we’ll be helping our partners learn how to manage their accounts during training. 

For individuals, they will fill out event registration information on JewishBoston.com.  When they click to pay, they will be redirected to Amazon, where they will pay in the same simple way they already pay for things on Amazon. 

We’re thrilled at the flexibility, the ease of set up, and the e-commerce security offered by Amazon.  We're looking forward to being able to provide event registration services for so many organizations who don't currently have this functionality.

Honoring Martin Luther King - two upcoming events

Growing up in the Midwest in the wake of the Holocaust, I always associated Jewish identity with playing defense. You know, the "you might as well be Jewish because they're going to kill you anyway." And for some reason, I also assumed that Abraham Heschel was someone long dead and gone.  (You can imagine what MY hebrew school experience was like.)

This is why learning about the role of Jews in the civil rights movement was so important in reconceiving my own adult Jewish identity.  And why Heschel made such a difference in thinking about spirituality.  Here's a terrific clip that about the connection between Heschel and King, from a documentary that is currently being made.

Here are two special events to honor Dr. King.  I hope to see you at one of them.

Temple Israel of Boston’s Annual Shabbat Service in celebration of the life and values of Rev., Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr. with Jackie Jenkins-Scott, President of Wheelock College on January 15, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.

A special invitation by Rev. Ray A. Hammond II and Bethel AME Church to Sunday Services in honor of Dr. King on January 17th, 9:30-11:30 am.  There will be a special performance of "God Full of Love, God Full of Grace, composed by Jeremiah Klarman, a Gann Academy student, and performed by Mr. Klarman and the Bethel AME Praise and Worship Team. The Church is located at 86 Wachusett St. in Jamaica Plain. Co-sponsered by the Jewish Community Relations Council.

First impressions

As the Community Manager for JewishBoston.com, I have been reaching out and researching the organizations in the greater Boston area for the site.We sent out a survey in December to populate our resource section with information about the organizations, and we are still receiving those submissions from the community.

To date, we have received almost 100 submissions from various organizations and synagogues in the greater Boston area! Thank you!

The best part for me? Every single person I have spoken with or corresponded over email with? They are ALL excited for JewishBoston.com

That being said, I should tell you how impressed I am by these organizations.

Staff, clergy or lay leader, no matter who I speak to. They all have a passion. They have a passion for being welcoming, caring and for the good work that they do. They are dedicated to their causes and their people. They clearly love what they are doing and they have really shown me what a vibrant and diverse Jewish community we have here in the Boston area.

I am not from the Boston area. There, I said it. I am one of countless people who moves here for career, school or many other numerous reasons and decide that this is the place where I'd like to plant my roots.  It was hard to get connected to the Jewish community five years ago.  I couldn't find the information about the organizations or figure out where I fit.

Now, of course, I've become an insider, I belong to a wonderful temple that I adore (Congregation Shirat Hayam of the North Shore) and I'm helping to bring JewishBoston.com to life. I want people to be able to find the resources they need easily, instead of struggling like I did when I was looking (which makes me passionate about my own work).

p.s. If you are a Jewish Organization in the greater Boston area, please fill out our survey so we can include you in our resource section!

Facebook, Twitter, Websites and Online Video: Join us on Feb 10

 
CJP is thrilled to be partnering with the Synagogue Council of Massachusetts on their 2010 Management Symposium, taking place on February 10th starting at 5:00 pm at Temple Aliyah in Needham.

If you're a Jewish communal professional or a volunteer working to manage your organization's communication and social media strategy, this is the event you've been waiting for.  Join us for a practical, strategic, and useful evening of conversation.  All organizations are welcome!

Opening Keynote with Lisa Colton

Social media is catalyzing a communications and marketing revolution.  Join Lisa Colton, founder  of the Virginia-based Darim Online, for a journey from the conceptual through the strategic and all the way to the practical nuts and bolts of planning and executing a social media strategy for your Jewish organization
 
Breakout I - "Staffing Your Social Media Strategy"

Join Lisa Colton to examine case studies from a few Jewish organizations using social media well. Learn how to choose the right tool, and how to staff your social media strategy - from skills and culture to policies and balancing the personal and professional activities online.

Breakout II - "The 2010 Web Site: How to Make the Most of Your Site, and Take It To the Next Level"

While social media is redefining the online landscape, your web site is still your home base, and critically important for your success.  Join Mike Kanarick, President of Jvillage Network, to learn how your Web Site fits into a comprehensive online strategy, how to make the most of what you've got, and how to add important features to your site.

Breakout III - "Maximizing JewishBoston.com for your organization"

Patty Jacobson, CJP's CIO and Director of JewishBoston.com will explain how CJP's new community website, JewishBoston.com, can help your organization reach more people.  Launching March 1, JewishBoston will offer all organizations free event registration tools, e-commerce, blogs, and organizational directory services.  

Schedule, Location, and Registration

5:00-5:30 - Registration, Technology Booths

5:30-9:15 pm - Dinner, Keynote & Breakout Groups

Host - Temple Aliyah, 1664 Central Avenue, Needham, MA

Cost - $75 per person
Sign up - Online, by check, or by calling 617-244-6506, ext. 19.

Note:  I will also be leading the FIRST training session on how to use JewishBoston.com for your organization from 3:00 to 5:00 pm.  Sorry, this one's just for Syngagogues, but we'll be announcing more dates soon.  To reserve your spot, send Liz an email at Lizw@cjp.org.   Don't forget to register for the main symposium as well.