Certain directories incorrectly call all email groups �communities.� They may promote the misconception that the development of a �community� must be the goal of an on-line forum.
A community is a group of people with a common interest and a desire to talk about a specific issue. That would seem to be our goal on these Jewish groups.
Nonetheless, although most of our groups have intentionally refrained from creating communities, we can point to several developments:
1.We have some of the largest groups of their kind in the world 2. We have indeed created Jewish unity 3. Our groups have created a unique and different form of community spirit.
Let us explain these seemingly strange developments.
Jews think. As a result, each Jew is blessed with his or her own justified way of doing things. Jews maintain their own inviolable customs and traditions. Their determination to remain different from their hosts made them worthy of redemption from Egypt. The Chosen People does not try to be like others.
This Jewish divisiveness was encouraged when the Red Sea was split (despite the common misconception) into 12 discrete passageways, so that each tribe could pass through separately. While traveling through the desert, and again when partitioning the Holy Land, this tribal division was fostered by a Divine blessing and command. It contrasts with today�s Gentile concept of community.
Of course, Jewish online chat communities do have their place. Some people may even measure the success of a community by the absolute number of messages that it posts to its subscribers. Our goal is different. We share Jewish information as needed. The clear result is as follows:
To the contrary. This is the most important need among Jews today. However, unity is not the same as community.
Surely, there is more to Jewish unity than encouraging Jews to make argumentative or off-the-cuff statements about issues with varying degrees of relevance or importance. True Jewish unity should and must be an occasional and directed movement toward a specific goal.
Some people feel uncomfortable when their conversation lapses. These groups may not be for them.
Other people search for forums that are worthy of their intelligence. Intelligent people know when to refrain from idle talk.
Our groups reflect the Jewish concept of Hishamer Lecha Kol Motza Picha � Think before you speak.
This concept makes these groups unique.
It is what makes them the only kind of group that I would want to moderate.
It is also the secret of our success.
Various online directories of leading discussion groups incorrectly call all email groups �communities.� This unfortunate term may promote the misconception that community development is a necessary goal of any online forum.
An online community is a group of people with a common interest and a desire to talk about a specific issue. That would seem to be our goal on these Jewish groups.
Online communities are very good and very important. However, they are best suited for groups that are different from our Jewish groups. That is not a value statement. It doesn't mean that the situation is good or bad. It also does not mean that all good things must necessarily apply to every situation. It simply means that although communities are good in general, they have their own place, and that our groups are different.
Nonetheless, although most of our groups have intentionally refrained from creating communities, we can point to several developments:
Let us explain how this came about.
Jews think. We like to do things our own way. We do not form a natural community.
We, as The Chosen People do not try to be like others. The Israelites' determination to remain different from their hosts made them worthy and eligible of redemption from Egypt.
Each Jew maintains two sets of values:
Despite the common misconception, the Red Sea was split into 12 discrete passageways, so that each Israelite tribe could pass through separately. This natural Jewish divisiveness continued while they traveled through the desert. When the Holy Land was partitioned, this tribal division was fostered by a Divine blessing and command. This division contrasts markedly with today�s Gentile concept of community.
To the contrary. Jews need nothing more than unity today. However, unity is not the same as community.
Our groups can be the start of world unity. However, we must realize that this unity is different from encouraging Jews to make argumentative or off-the-cuff statements about issues that have varying degrees of relevance or importance.
True Jewish unity can be achieved when everybody in any group works towards a specific and clearly-defined goal. This effort in our forums should and must be directed by a moderator.
NOTE TO MYSELF: MERGE THIS WITH THE OTHER ARTICLE ABOUT "SO QUIET ON THE GROUP"
These issues do not arise according to a fixed schedule. After resolving a specific issue, there may be a lapse over the course of an unspecified amount of time until another issue is worthy of our joint consideration. As a result, some of our groups take breaks between discussions.
Of course, Jewish online chat communities do have their place. Some people may even measure the success of a community by the absolute number of messages that it posts to its subscribers.
Our goal is different. We share Jewish information as needed. Although an extended period of time may pass between approved messages, our high-level, businesslike, professional forums benefit from clearly-defined, specific Jewish issues.
Some people feel uncomfortable when their conversation lapses. These groups may not be for them.
However, other people search for forums that are worthy of their intelligence. Many intelligent people have learned when to refrain from idle talk.
Our groups reflect the concept of Hishamer Lecha Kol Motza Picha � Think before you speak.
This traditional Jewish concept is very important:
Find out more about remaining on topic
Find out more about the general policy for these groups
Find out about Jewish forums in various areas
Subscribe to various Jewish and Hebrew groups
Find out how to publicize our Jewish groups
Ask Third Son which group is best for you
Are you required to read this webpage for a course? Do NOT print out the article. It is copyrighted.
Your exercise for this article is as follows:
1. What is the difference between unity and community?
2. Explain the meaning of community on our Jewish Groups.
Copyright © David Grossman. World rights reserved. This article may not be printed, forwarded, reproduced, or copied in any way or in any medium without written permission from David Grossman.
