There are various legitimate points of view about shifting topics from one forum to another.
For this reason, each group determines its own format. Some groups, such as The Other Shul, Jewish Grandparents, and Tisha Kabin, have a more liberal approach to shifting of topics. However, even those groups move topics when they clearly belong elsewhere.
A more serious consideration, however, comes from subscribers to the other groups.
Let us keep in mind that we initiated each of these groups because some subscribers want to relate to issues in their own subject area or field of interest. They didn't want to be distracted by other issues.
In order to explain this in greater detail, let us return to the example in the first installment of this series of articles. It related to a discussion that was initiated on the Jewish Parenting group, but which subsequently involved issues relating to special needs.
Yes, perhaps we could make the people on the Jewish Parenting group happy by continuing the discussion there.
However, the subscribers to the Jewish Special Needs group would then be deprived of potentially valuable information. After all, they joined that group because they were interested in issues relating to special children. They wanted to discuss special needs, and they did not necessarily want to discuss parenting issues.
Can we ask the subscribers to the Jewish Special Needs group to join the Jewish Parenting group in order to participate in the current discussion about special needs? That certainly would not be fair. On the other hand, we also have no right to deprive those on the Jewish Special Needs group of the present discussion.
Clearly, there is only one solution in such a situation. Topics to be raised or continued on each group are moderated. Overlapping discussions among various groups are shifted to the appropriate venue.
Find out more about remaining on topic
Find out more guidelines for our Jewish groups
Find out about other Jewish and Hebrew groups
Third Son will help you decide which group is best for you
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