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February 9, 2010 10:29 am PST

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Kids & Teens

July 3, 2008

Jewish identity defined—a la Facebook

By Jina Davidovich, Contributing Writer

Ora Weinbach is not satisfied with merely calling herself a Jew. Instead, the recent high school graduate strives to put the za za zoo back into her religious observance by being an "impassioned Jew" -- a term she uses to define herself on Facebook.

As opposed to the generic "Jewish -- Orthodox" listed under the majority of her friends' profiles, she has created an entirely new category to express the fervor of her faith.

"Selecting Orthodox Judaism from a dropdown list, after Jehovah's Witness and Jain, just didn't seem as ' Wear it proud!' as it should," Weinbach said.

Facebook has become far more than a social network; it is a virtual social necessity.

Providing a do-it-yourself outlet for people to express their likes, dislikes and even their faith, the interactive platform allows users around the world to join together -- whether on the newly available Facebook chat or in myriad groups that cater to almost any interest. The Jewish community, in particular, has created a haven for itself on this booming network, claiming hundreds of groups, applications and pieces of Jewish flair.

Beyond providing aesthetically appealing odds and ends for all its Jewish participants, Facebook -- unlike MySpace or Friendster -- hands over the reigns to developers by allowing them to create their own add-on applications.

Rabbi Moshe Plotkin, the head of the Chabad house at the State University of New York at New Paltz, is the creator of the popular Jewish Dates 2.0, which displays the current Hebrew date and a user's Hebrew birthday. The application, like JewMeter and Jewish Gifts, is intended as a fun tool to help reinforce Jewish identity.

"I wanted to use every medium to bring Jewish culture closer to their father in Heaven," Plotkin said.

Putting hundreds of hours into creating various "jewpplications," developers like Plotkin are ensuring that Facebook is a means of inspiration, rather than just a tool for finding old friends and staying in touch.

Facebook groups can be found for almost any interest, and the selection for Jews extends from the serious, "We Are Still Here (Holocaust Memorial)," to the humorous, "I am a Victim of a Jewish Mother."

For Zoe Jurkowski, a sophomore at YULA Girls High School and a member of several Jewish Facebook groups, the platform represents more than just sharing pictures and connecting with friends.

"When some show that they are proud of their religion, others are suddenly inspired to embrace it despite some social stigmas that might influence them not to," she said.

Facebook has also become an asset for community organizers, such as Rabbi Effie Goldberg, the regional director of West Coast National Conference of Synagogue Youth. He uses Facebook as an opportunity to reach out to new members in a comfortable atmosphere where both he and his NCSY-ers can communicate about everything from upcoming events to the underlying goals of his organization.

"I have found through my experience in using Facebook and dealing with teenagers, that teens will go to the nth degree to express their Judaism," he said. "Whether with a Hebrew letter or the Hebrew date on their page, each profile has a connection to their religious view. Teenagers want to stay together as a strong Jewish network."




On Facebook, The Jewish Journal is "pretty Jewish."

Be our friend, please!

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