Social Media and Technology Intensive

The following article by Mike Weis highlights one of the Intensive Tracks at this year’s convention. To register for the convention and any of the tracks go to: Ayelet.com and slide down under Conferences to the Cantors Convention.

Sheldon Levin

Essential Skills for Social Media and Technology

According to Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, “Right now, with social networks and other tools on the Internet, all of these 500 million people have a way to say what they’re thinking and have their voice be heard.” While we might not be dealing with that many people in our day-to-day lives, the indisputable fact is that the Internet and other new technologies are changing the face of the world as we know it: politically, socially, spiritually and yes, musically. The extent to which we adapt to this new reality is the extent to which we will succeed as individual cantors and as a profession, especially as it relates to how we communicate with our youth.

In the Social Media and Technology intensive track, you will be introduced to some of the most important tools that have been transforming our culture and the lives of our students and congregants. On Day 1, Miriam Brousseau, recently named as one of the Jewish Week’s “36 Under 36” young innovators who are transforming Jewish life, will lead a session on how to make the most of social media.

Day 2 will feature, Tom Buechler of Trope Trainer and Rabbi Charlie Schwartz and Russel Neiss, creators of the popular PocketTorah and PocketTorah Trope apps who will introduce us to using and developing mobile apps for smartphones and tablets.

On Day 3, we’ll hear from Cantors Daniel Mendelson and Eric Contzius, who will show us the basics of creating and distributing digital video on such popular websites as YouTube.

Day 4 will feature an exciting split session: Cantor Steve Hevenstone will offer essential insights into using music notation software, and Cantor Joe Gole and Geoffrey Neil will demonstrate how to use the CyberMitzvah website they created to manage and track all the details relating to B’nei Mitzvah students and their progress and how to creat one for your shul.

This intensive has been designed with one thought in mind: to provide you with insights into some of the most important tools and technologies that are currently in common use by our colleagues and congregants. Whether you are a technology maven or novice, you will gain invaluable understanding into how these technologies can enable you to make connections with your congregants and make you more effective in your cantorate.