Jewish Techs - a technology blog

Israel Advocacy on Campus Gets New App

StandWithUs releases new mobile app as it continues to educate about Israel on college campuses

In response to a changing attitude toward Israel on college campuses, the Israel advocacy group StandWithUs lauched in 2001. Its goal was to serve as an informational guerrilla unit of sorts and work with established campus organizations like Hillel to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Israel propaganda. With calls for universities to divest from Israeli companies still occurring on campuses across North America, StandWithUs has found itself growing in recent years and working harder to reach more college students.

Facebook Won't Be Used to Publicize This Rally

If Al Gore actually did invent the Internet, as he once claimed, he would be the least popular guy in any ultra-Orthodox neighborhood. It is clear that the fervently Orthodox Jewish leaders really despise the Internet and technology because they're willing to spend over $1.5 million in a rally against it next month in Queens, New York.

Omer Counting in the Digital Age

With mobile apps, blogs and fun website resources, new technology adds new rituals to the traditional Counting of the Omer

Can One Sell Chametz Over the Internet?

Selling chametz on the Web has become standard operating procedure. But is it acceptable?

On the Jewish Techs blog we have looked at the way several Jewish rituals are now performed using the Internet. Not every Jewish ritual can be transferred to the medium of the Internet, but even the question raises some interesting points for discussion.

Jewish Singles Clean [Facebook] for Passover

Some joke about cleaning out Web cookies before Passover

A common joke before Passover is that we need to remove the "cookies" from our Web Browser before the holiday. Of course, web browser cookies (or HTTP cookies) are not real cookies and do not really need to be removed for Passover, when all leavened products are forbidden.

iPad Provides Voice for Bar Mitzvah Boy

Michael and Suzanne Emmi used an iPad to help their autistic son Matthewat… (ESSDRASMSUAREZ/GLOBE STAFF)

One of the great uses of the Apple iPad is for children with disabilities. Steve Jobs was acutely aware of that important use of the tablet that was one of the gadgets of which he was most proud. 

A recent article in the Boston Globe demonstrates just how helpful the iPad is for children with disabilities. Steven A. Rosenberg writes about Matthew Emmi, a bar mitzvah boy who is severely autistic.

What Are the Top Jewish Apps?

The OU launches new kosher app in time for Passover preparations and the 2011's best mobile apps

The Orthodox Union (OU) has just released a new mobile app that will be helpful for those seeking knowledge on what food products are kosher for Passover. The new app allows the user to enter any food item or product to gather all of the kosher information including if the certification is up to date.

I would certainly add this helpful utility app to the listing of the best Jewish apps that I recently published here on The Jewish Week website and in a special "Looking Ahead Looking Back" supplement. Here is the article:

Agunah Cases in the Age of Facebook

Rep. Dave Camp had to close the comments section of his Facebook page due to protests over his staffer's refusal to grant a get
Cross-posted to Blog.RabbiJason.com

United States Representative Dave Camp is a proud Roman Catholic. The Republican congressman represents Michigan's 4th District in Congress which includes places in Michigan's "Up North" region that Jews only visit for a few days each year. Aside from the handful of families who live in Traverse City year round, Dave Camp likely doesn't give much thought to Jewish people.

Jewish Non-Profits and Social Media - Do They Get It?

Are Jewish Non-Profits adding social media to their arsenal of marketing tools?
Cross-posted to Blog.RabbiJason.com

As a rabbi who is a social mediaologist, I find myself consulting a lot of synagogues and Jewish nonprofits on their social media strategy. The leaders of these institutions all recognize that they require a social media strategy, but the plan for how it will be implemented varies greatly.

New iPhone and Android Apps Released by Leket Israel to Benefit Israel's Poor

Leket Israel releases new apps on Tu Bishvat to donate leftover food

It's too bad that the new movie "The Lorax" (an adaptation of Dr. Seuss' classic tale) won't be released for another month because today is the birthday of the trees!