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The 1999 Israeli election campaign
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Jewish Web Week 1999 Supporter A Virtual Homeland: Jewish Web Week Crosses Geographical, Ideological Boundaries,
Linking Jews Worldwide to Each Other and to a Diverse Tradition
NEW YORK, Jan. 21 -- In what may be a gathering to rival the number of Israelites at Mt. Sinai three millenia ago, hundreds of thousands of Jews will come together on the virtual homeland of the Internet for Jewish Web Week, Feb. 21 - 26. By hosting events and linking to sites that span the full range of Jewish expression and beliefs, Jewish Web Week will connect a geographically dispersed people.

The home page of Jewish Web Week, www.jww.org, will allow access to special events designed to entertain and foster personal interaction. These events include: a webcast "Concert for Peace" by Israeli and Arab musicians; an online musical collaboration, Jewish singles parties and chat rooms; a teenage online scavenger hunt to promote themes of multi-cultural understanding; an online poetry slam; and chats with prominent Israeli political figures. Many of these events will be hosted by new sites being launched in conjunction with Jewish web week.

The hosting web sites reflect the diverse interests and beliefs of Jews around the world, encompassing such offerings as vegetarian kosher recipes, environmental activism in a Jewish context, information on Jewish life cycle events, outlets for political activism, and options for religious study.

"The Internet is fostering a renaissance in Jewish learning, living, and dialogue," said Jewish Web Week co-founder Martin Kaminer. "Jews who have not become involved in traditional Jewish organizations are finding creative avenues of Jewish expression on the Internet. Jewish Web Week will harness that creative energy and open the door for people who want to keep exploring once the week ends."

Mr. Kaminer, an educational software developer, launched Jewish Web Week in February, 1998 with Boston-based journalist Yosef Abramowitz.

"The Web has made Judaism accessible and friendly for many Jews who might otherwise shy away from active involvement in their tradition," said Mr. Abramowitz. "The Internet can also create greater understanding among Jews who come from many different backgrounds and beliefs."

From February 21 through February 26, Jewish Web Week will offer users the opportunity to join together in prayer, song, poetry, and discussion. Highlights of the week include:

  • Music: With the goal of promoting cross-cultural harmony, the music program will feature a "Concert for Peace" by well-known Israeli bands comprised of Jews and Arabs, to be performed live and webcast; virtual jam sessions to create collaborative pieces in an online studio; an online forum to discuss Jewish music; and an online music store. Noted musician Stephen Horenstein and the Mandel School are lending their support.
  • Singles: On February 24, at 8:00 p.m local time, hundreds of unattached Jewish men and women will meet at live parties taking place simultaneously at the Hard Rock Cafes in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Toronto, each of which will be connected by satellite and cybercast. Singles can also log onto a webcast of the legendary "Hineni" class in New York, where at least 1,000 Jewish singles mix Torah learning and shmoozing with Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis. Jewish Web Week will also host numerous singles chat rooms. Singles programming is being sponsored in part by Zipple, a new website for Jewish singles.
  • Teenagers: Working in teams comprising youth from various cultural and religious backgrounds, teenagers will participate in an online scavenger hunt, focusing on peace activists and getting to know peers from other cultures. JVibe, a new site for Jewish teens, is co-sponsoring the teen segment. Through the cooperation of NASA Learning Technologies, a group of Jewish teens will be participating in the first-ever Robotics Competition for youth, which will be webcast daily.
  • Education: An online fair will showcase innovative programs utilizing technology in Jewish education. Younger students will have the opportunity to prepare multimedia websites of their families histories. Jewish Web Week is the largest effort to date to use new media and technology to introduce web users to the diverse nature of Jewish life, and connect Jews around the world to each other.

    Jewish Web Week






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