Esther D. Kustanowitz
Writing, Editing & Creative Media Consulting
Your “Twimprimatur,” and Other Secrets of Social Media
014 years ago
What’s a Twimprimatur? Here’s a hint: I made it up. And here’s another hint: imprimatur + Twitter. (Imprimatur literally means “let it be printed,” but here are some more definitions.)
In July, I was interviewed by Rusty Mike Radio in Jerusalem – we went deep into blogging, Twitter, Facebook, and more. Check out the entire interview here, for insights into making these social media work better for you, as well as stories about Jewish innovation, how to make blogging into a quasi-career, and what my connection is to Madonna. And, of course, how to create your own Twimprimatur. 🙂
“Disconnect to Connect” – Unplugging for the Sabbath
014 years ago
The Jewish Standard recently asked for my comments about whether people are too technology-reliant these days, and how it can impact Jewish connections and community.
People first used e-mail, for example, to keep in touch with others they wouldn’t otherwise reach, Kustanowitz said.
“It was a way to mass-produce these kinds of communications that were still about continuing a relationship and adding value to a relationship,” she said.
Such developments have led to what Kustanowitz called an over-reliance on technology, without a sense of deliberation or thought. Just as Jews are supposed to have a certain amount of kavanah, intent, when they pray, she said, so, too, should people have a sense of kavanah when sending out e-mail and posting to social networking Websites.
To read the entire article, visit the Jewish Standard online.
Jewish Blogging 101 and 201 Now Online
014 years ago
I recently concluded a three-part webinar series on social media and blogging for the Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California. My presentations from those webinars are now available online. See the “Social Media Basics” webinar here.
Newly uploaded on Slideshare is “Jewish Blogging 101” and “Jewish Blogging 201,” both below.
Jcpsc blogging 201
View more presentations from Esther Kustanowitz.
“Social Media Basics” Now Online!
014 years ago
In April, I did the first of a three-part social media webinar series for the Jewish Communal Professionals of Southern California. Our focus in this session was an overview of social media and to begin the discussion of how social media can help Jewish non-profits strengthen their public profiles, promote their projects, and enhance their relationships with their clients/consumers/communities. I’m uploading finished presentations to Slideshare – feel free to check them out.
Does Your Organization Have an Anti-Innovation Checklist?
014 years ago
Is your organization or boss afraid of change? Turned off by technology? Terrified by the prospect of innovation? Then he (or she, or they) might already have an ‘anti-innovation checklist” – a group of core principles and phrases that they trot out in order to discredit new ideas and creativity in favor of the status quo.
The list below comes from a Harvard Business Review post by Youngme Moon, the Donald K. David Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. What other excuses have you heard from individuals who or organizations which resist change? (My favorite is “if it ain’t broke, and even if it is, don’t fix it.”)
Are Facebook and Twitter a Fad?
014 years ago
At a recent event about social media and Jewish community, I spoke on a panel with Leah Jones where we addressed what the future of these social media tools might be. More videos from this event are available on my YouTube channel.
Do You Like – or Hate – the New Facebook?
0New is scary – who put my friends over there? – because you suddenly feel like you don’t know what’s going on in a territory that you might have known super-well before. But here’s why the new Facebook isn’t all that bad, from tech reporter Sarah Lane over at Current.
Esther’s Sessions at LimmudLA – Including Dates and Times
014 years ago
Join me for my sessions at this weekend’s LimmudLA conference….
The Innovation Ecosystem: A 21st Century Organic Jewish Community
Joshua Avedon, Yoni Gordis, Esther Kustanowitz, Naomi Less, Scott Perlo
Saturday 12:30 PM–1:45 PM
Identity and Responsibility, Teen Approved
Over the past decade or so, the Jewish world has witnessed the emergence of a new landscape of innovative startups. These enterprises have created new entry points to Jewish life, and new ways of building Jewish community. This diverse and vibrant collective of new Jewish initiatives is evolving into an organic communal infrastructure for the Jewish community in the 21st century. This session is a tour though the diverse and vibrant ecosystem driving Jewish innovation across the globe. Meet some of the innovators and find out how their work is changing the Jewish world.
Jews’ Line Is It Anyway?
Saturday 2:00 PM–3:15 PM
Arts and Performance, Teen Approved
What’s so Jewish about basic improv comedy? This informal, participatory workshop introduces the basics of both improv comedy and Jewish community to Jews and Judeophiles of all ages.
Finding Your Inner Megillah
Monday 11:30 AM–12:45 PM
Identity and Responsibility, Teen Approved
There’s a megillah inside every Jew, not just those named Ruth and Esther. Jews are natural storytellers because our faith is based in oral and then written history. But what makes a story worth telling and retelling, generation after generation? In this experimental writing workshop, visit some noteworthy texts from Jewish tradition and engage in free-writing exercises based on and inspired by those texts.
Hope to see you there…
Upcoming Events: 2010
014 years ago
2010 is right around the corner, and I’m booking gigs in at least four cities. Be in touch to discuss ways in which I can help you improve your relationship with social media and creative content in 2010…
January 21 – invitation-only Skills Building Workshop: Best Practices in Social Media (Los Angeles)
February 12-15 – Presenter, LimmudLA (Los Angeles) – register now – “Writing Your Inner Megillah” (writing class), and “Jews’ Line Is It Anyway?” (basic improv from a Jewish perspective)
March – TBA – (Los Angeles, and a probable visit to San Francisco) / Bay Area
April – TBA – NYC
June – TBA – Jerusalem
July – ROI Summit – Kfar Maccabiah (near Tel Aviv)
August – TBA – Los Angeles
Stay tuned for more events as they’re confirmed. And don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions about my appearing in a city near you!
“Finding Your Voice Online” – from Darim Online’s NNJ BootCamp
014 years ago
by Esther
in Uncategorized
Nnj Boot Camp Finding Your Voice
View more presentations from Esther Kustanowitz.