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standing together. moving forward.

Facilitated by Lisa Colton and Phil Brodsky

The Darim Online Learning Network for Educators is generously funded by a grant from the Covenant Foundation

What is a “Social Sermon”?

What is a “Social Sermon”?

1. Opportunities to engage in LEARNING and COMMUNITY BUILDING through online tools

2. Weaving this content and these relationships back into the FACE TO FACE community in our local communities

3. Inviting ACTIVE participation, rather than passive attendance

What is a “Social Sermon”?

Convenience of today’s online

social communication

tools

Valuable content, learning and

reflection

Local application and relevance -

face to face relationships &

community

Starting Assumptions

• People: There are audiences who are interested in Jewish learning, but unable or unwilling to come to regular adult education classes. – Program structure or timing doesn’t fit their

lifestyle.– Worried they don’t know enough– Don’t think their friends will be participating

(“it’s not for me”)

Questioning Assumptions

• Objectives: Torah study and community building don’t have to happen in the building, at a set time, face to face.– Get clear on immediate and longer term

goals.– “Ambient awareness” online can lead to

powerful face to face relationships and a stronger, more participatory community.

– How are you measuring your success?

Rethinking the Approach

• Strategy: Getting more people to participate in education and community more often doesn’t mean “market it more”. Time to rethink our design.– Attention economy– Where are people investing time learning and

connecting?– Listen to the interests and needs of your

audience.

Choose the Right Platform

• Technology: Choose a platform where your target audiences already are, that will enable you to have the conversations you want, and where Rabbis & educators can be comfortable.– Twitter - use hashtags– Facebook - status posting and comments– Blog - posts and comments

Facebook

As a question, invite sharing, link to longer format if/where appropriate.

- Summary of parasha

- Blog post about your thoughts

- Someone else’s article or commentary

Twitter

Pick a good hashtag for your community. Check that it’s not already used.

Market it! Monitor it! Respond to posts.

Blogging

Access, discussion, invitation to participate

Multiple Platforms

Location-Based

Resources

Delicious.com

Search:

“social_sermon”