CO-STAR Blog - Sharing insights about synagogue life

One of the best parts of being the marketing consultant for STAR is the opportunity to meet with synagogues across the country and talk “shop.” On Monday, May 12th I had one of the opportunities as STAR took its show on the road and held a workshop on Social Media for Chicago Area Synagogues.

Social Media is a term that many people are just beginning to hear and most are not sure if they understand.

Social media is a term that refers to the technology and practices that people use to share information, opinions, insights and experiences. Most important it is a fabulous tool to build and strengthen relationships with members.

Because social media is to many “a tsunami” it can feel overwhelming. One of the key messages of this workshop is you don’t have to do everything — just start small.

In her opening remarks, welcoming Chicagoland synagogues to STAR’s orkshop, Harness The Power of Social Media, Marsha Katz Rothpan asked the group, “Have you ever been bageled?”

Rothpan, STAR’s Senior Program Officer explained that her dad sent her one of “those” viral emails recently – the kind you forward and forward and forward to friends.
This is from that email.

It all started when my friend Doodie Miller– who wears a kippah — was
back in college and suffering through a tedious lecture. As the professor
droned on, a previously-unknown young woman leaned over and whispered in his ear:
“This class is as boring as my Zayde’s seder.”
You see, the woman knew that she did not “look” Jewish, nor did she wear any identifying signs like a Star of David. So foregoing the awkward declaration, “I’m Jewish,” the girl devised a more nuanced — and frankly, cuter — way of heralding her heritage.
This incident launched a hypothesis which would henceforth be known as the Bagel Theory. The Bagel Theory stands for the principle that we Jews, regardless of how observant or affiliated we are, have a powerful need to connect with one another.

To that end, we find ways to “bagel” each other — basically, to “out and connect” ourselves to fellow Jews.

In the workshop, participants were introduced to technologies that are being used by fellow Jews to “out and connect.” From blogging to social networking sites to Twittering, the workshop gave participants an overview of these new communication tools and discussed strategies for helping synagogues incorporate these strategies to reach out and create stronger relationships with their members.

Participants gave the workshop high marks saying:

“Good introductory program”
“One workshop not enough, need more hand-holding sessions…”
“It was informative and I enjoyed it! I recommend this to everyone!”
“Start small - small steps, just start”
“Make longer…webinar series”

A big shout out to Synaplex™ congregation Am Yisrael for hosting the event. Thank you Nancy Holeb Nevins (Exec Director), Randy Horton (board member and Synaplex co-chair) and Brian (staff) for making us feel so welcome.

And, a big Thank You to the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation and Chicago the Board of Rabbis for their endorsement and helping with the promotion of the workshop.

This was the first of several On The Road Workshops STAR plans to hold throughout the country. The workshops will be on a variety of topics. We’ll keep you updated on the location and topic for the next workshop.

Elana
Co-STAR Editor