Is New Media Mainstream?

This was written for an online publication and never published so I thought I would share it with my wonderful blog readers! Enjoy... I hope!Is New Media Mainstream?By Talia DavisThey say you know technology isn’t ‘cool’ anymore when your parents join. I have to admit, it was interesting to become ‘friends’ with my dad on Facebook but, overall, I feel that theory is incorrect. Facebook and Twitter may not be ‘edgy’ any more or reserved for us early adopters but I think the world at large is better for it. Twitter and Facebook have become mediums to share information and perhaps a message. Whereas they began as places to just connect to your friends, they are now places to find like-minded people and learn.Take the Tech Rav for example. Rabbi Tzvi Pittinsky is pioneering new, Kosher ways to use technology. He sends out regular messages that are designed to help the Jewish tweeter Jew. Every Friday, before shabbis, he sends out a message like this one –That is a nice break from the spam and less helpful conversations on Twitter. But it doesn’t end there. Forgot about Counting the Omer? Don’t worry, Tech Rav thought of that too…But I have to say his personalized Shabbis times is what impresses me the most. Just tweet @ShabbosStarts with your zip code and you get a response of the correct time that Shabbis starts in your area.Rabbi Pittinsky knows his audience and has provided some great tools for the Jewish Tweeter.One of the most ambitious social Jewish projects took place last year in the days leading up to Passover with the Tweet the Exodus event. As they put it “Relive the Exodus from Egypt, one tweet at a time.” Over the course of thirteen days, Twitter was the medium of a fascinating exchange.  The Pharaoh, Moshe, The G-d of Israel, even the Red Sea had its own twitter account. Other than breaks on Shabbat, it was an ongoing event filled with humor and education.The internet has made our world smaller and smaller. But it gives us the opportunity to connect with other Jews on levels that were never possible before. Jewish Tweet of the day? We have that - @JewishTweets. Want to send a message to the Kotel? No problem! @TheKotel. Need some advice? Rabbis of every flavor abound! @ReBahir, @RabbiRami, @RabbiShmuley, @RabbiJason, @ImaBima, @RecoveryRabbi. Take your pick of organizations and information... @JFederations, @JNFUSA, @TheJewishMuseum, @JTAnews, @Lubavitch.So yes, my dad is on Facebook (but my mom swears she will never be) and Twitter (though he still needs a little coaching) but I am thrilled at how mainstream these tools are. I can get a basketball score, local news, and an Omer reminder all in one place. That’s the beauty of the internet and I am so glad that we, as Jews, are fully embracing it.