So last night, a little after 10 PM, I received an e-mail from one of my instructors with a mark for the final assignment I submitted as part of my HSRV 433 course. This 26 page paper titled “Jewish Civilization 2.0 - Fostering Jewish Identity Through Online Social Networking, Cultural and Educational Opportunities“ was worth 50% of my final grade and it received a mark of 90 or an A+, which I’m extremely pleased with. Math isn’t my strong suit and I haven’t calculated everything but unless I’m horribly off in my calculations, that last mark means I’ve passed the course with an A+ and that isn’t shabby at all. Essentially this was a part of a fourth year research project which is meant to be tied into two other fourth-year courses which when combined winds up basically being what most of you in America would call a “thesis project”. Basically the way these courses work is that the first course HSRV 433 has students pick a topic of interest and do a three-step research project on it. Then in HSRV 455 the student uses that research to develop some sort of project proposal which builds on or addresses some question raised by the previously completed research. Then finally in HSRV 477 the student is actually to apply/run the project he has developed. I’m not sure how great a job I’ve done explaining things but for those of you who are confused or want to know more feel free to click on the course links above.

I’m not sure whether or not I’m going to post my entire research paper online but now that it’s completed, marked and returned. I guess I’m comfortable enough to post the introduction for those of you who might be curious.

Anyhow here it is (the intro).

The American Jewish 20-40 year-old population is still in many ways one of the most underserved within the broader Jewish community. Because of this, this demographic is most likely to be at a higher risk of disengaging from their Jewish communities and sense of Jewish identity. Of significance is how this demographic has begun turning to the Internet as a tool (often even as a preferred choice) for expressing, understanding, cultivating and engaging their individual and collective senses of Jewish identity. Although there has been a considerable amount of research conducted in the areas of Jewish identity and culture, to date, there unfortunately exists little research on how the Internet and Web 2.0 technologies are being used (or might be used in the future) to address the unique needs of this Jewish demographic.

In order to help address this existing research deficit, the emphasis of this paper will be on discussing how emerging Internet and Web 2.0 technologies are currently being used by this demographic. Additionally, how these technologies might better be used in the future as important strategies for addressing the needs facing this segment of the Jewish population. These needs include new modes of informal engagement over traditional forms of affiliation, and an overall sense of connectedness to Jewish identity.

I will begin by briefly summarizing the data which I have previously collected and analyzed for earlier assignments in this course, all of which are topics relating to current trends within my research demographic. These trends include: Jewish Self-Concept, Community and Institutional affiliation, as well as cultural and religious engagement.

In addition, part of this discussion will include basic information on what the Web 2.0 is as well as several examples of how these technologies are currently being used to address some of the challenges facing the 20-40 year old Jewish population. I will focus specifically on the Web 2.0 and its role in facilitating Social Networking and Self-Directed Learning Opportunities. To conclude, I will provide recommendations on how these technologies might further be used to provide this segment of the Jewish population with improved formal and informal Social Networking and Learning Opportunities.

As usual polite yet constructive feedback is always welcome.

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As a fatty myself, I thought this was kind a cool even if it was a Chabad Rabbi

I bet he could loose another thirty if he shaved the beard off

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Now for something on the lighter (actually brownish) side of things.

For the past while I’ve been telling Tamara about this machine but I’m not sure that she actually believed me. So I’ve decided to provide a little proof.

Warning there is some strong language used in the following video not to mention a high fecal content.

So viewers discretion is advised.

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 All I can say is man New Yorkers Are Twisted!

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What can I say after completing that last quiz I stumbled across this “What Kind of Jew are You” quiz and I just couldn’t help myself. See what you’ve started Tamara!

Yet another accurate snapshot of yours truly from the people over at beliefnet.

You scored 48, on a scale of 0 to 66. Here’s how to interpret your score:

0 - 10 Blueberry Bagel Jew. Read more about yourself.

11 - 30 Haroseth Jew. Read more about yourself.

31 - 48 Tzimmes Jew. Read more about yourself.

49 - 66 Lukshin Kugel Jew. Read more about yourself.

Like this Sabbath-evening fruit and sweet-potato side dish, your Jewish identity is highly traditional, even as it adapts with changing times. A basic recipe is supplemented with various individualistic flourishes. Judaism plays an integral role in your life, though your identity is not defined solely by it.

Read stories of interest to

• If You Can’t Find It, Create It: Ten Strategies to Transform Your Congregation
• A Wing and a Prayer: The author struggles with the meaning of prayer and emerges with a new understanding of it.
• Living in the Image of God: Jewish law envisions a future in which all human beings are treated as infinitely valuable, equal, and unique.
• On Writing for Permanence: A writer meditates on the role of the sofer–scribe–whose job ensures the continuity of vital Jewish texts.

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Tamara just blogged about this interesting quiz over on Beliefnet so I decided to head over and take it myself.

Can’t say that I’m surprised with my results because they certainly fit with the way I see myself and actually tie in quite nicely with a few of the comments I made to Jewish Atheist in my last post.

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Ok its really Will Farrell playing the role of G Dubya on TV but isn’t that better? I mean wouldn’t he be a better all around President?

Anyhow this is just my day before Earth Day warm-up post, so check back tomorrow for something a little more Tikkun Olam’ish on the subject.

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The title of this post may be sung to the tune of “If Your Happy & You Know It.”

Watch out Tamara, I’ve been reading up on stuff!

The following is from a post entitled “My Shul is Being Taken Over by the Lubavitcher Talibanistim” . I found it via Wolfish Musings.

This may or may not be a joke I have absolutely no idea.

At that point, Rabbi E.  carefully checked if any women were present ( there weren’t)  and then gave a whole big drasha on… the halacha of stomping on your bride’s foot under the chuppah right after the glass is broken. According to Rabbi E., this is an extremely important halacha (yes, he used that term) because right away the man needs to show his bride who is the boss, who is the mashpia and who will be the mekabel in this relationship. Apparently, there is a machlokes about whether this is allowed when the bride is niddah and so some people have stopped following this rule altogether, but this is a terrible mistake and Rabbi E. is hoping to correct it. He is, in fact, teaching his sons the correct way to behave under the chuppah and he hopes that his audience will take this message to heart and teach their own boys the proper way to start off their marriages as well. 

Hey didn’t I mention in my last post that I thought Chabad was sexist?

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No need to thank me it’s all just in a days work and trust me I realize how much all of you appreciate what I’ve done here with this post. I mean after all can it even really be called Passover if this MGM classic isn’t watched at least once, while munching on some matzah along with some tasty kosher for Passover onion dip?

Well, I certainly think not!

I mean it’s not like you’re wasting a whole bunch of time cooking up a storm in the kitchen, because let’s face it there really is nothing to cook. So who doesn’t have 220 minutes to invest in a piece of cinematic history such as this? I certainly have the time for this most holy of stories and I’m guessing that if you’re reading this post, well then so do you. Besides we both know that you’re too bloated and bog down from four straight days of matzah for breakfast, lunch and supper to move around or go out clubbing.

So I say grab some kosher for Passover Coca-Cola, a box of matzah, some of that tasty kosher for Passover onion dip and put your feet up. Come on just kickback and enjoy this all-time classic that is the 10 Commandments.

I mean you don’t even need to bit torrent the film I’ve done all the hard work for you. All you if to do is take advantage of an opportunity and enjoy.

So without further delay here is the film in two glorious parts for your viewing enjoyment.

Part One

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Click here for a full screen version of part one

Part Two

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Click here for full screen version of part two

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I must confess that although I enjoy caffeinated beverages in all of their varied manifestations I had not given any thought to Kosher for Passover pop/soda. In fact when I first learned that such a thing even existed I thought to myself “man this is ridiculous”. Then again I myself am a fairly ridiculous guy much of the time, so it should come as no surprise that I didn’t manage to make it through my first Passover without purchasing a little bit of the Carbo-Caffeinated Kosher for Passover goodness.

It basically all started when Tamara (who if memory serves me right claims she doesn’t like soda beverages) informed me that she’d purchased 2 2 L bottles of the magical and holy stuff. Then the next morning I awoke from a very bizarre dream which although I no longer remember the specifics of, seemed to somehow revolve around Kosher for Passover Coke.

Then on Monday while out and about with my father we made a stop at the kosher grocery store where among other things, we each picked up a 1.5 L bottle of kosher for Passover Pepsi. Now I’m not talking about the local made stuff, cuz this was the real deal imported from Israel, complete with Hebrew ingredient labels and no English. I haven’t spoken to my father yet so I don’t know what he thought of his Kosher for Passover Pepsi but I can proudly proclaim that mine was all drunk up in less than a day!

What can I say soda pop is crack and I’m an addict!

Anyhow yesterday I decided to spend a few minutes researching up on Kosher for Passover cola beverages when I stumbled upon this little snippet from NPR. It’s only a couple of minutes long and is a must for anyone who holds kosher for Passover Coke close to their hearts.

Enjoy (hey isn’t that a trademark owned by the Coca-Cola people?)

Passover Produces a Real Coke Classic

by Linda Wertheimer

Weekend Edition Saturday, April 10, 2004 · Kosher-for-Passover Coke is made with sugar — not corn syrup — just like in the old days. And that’s why many true Coca-Cola fans stock up during the Jewish holiday. NPR’s Linda Wertheimer talks about the difference in taste with Ralph Roberts, co-author of Classic Cooking with Coca-Cola.

Technorati tags: NPR, Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola, Kosher for Passover

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