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February 28, 2003/Adar1 26 5763, Vol. 55, No. 27
Use e-mail with discretionCATHY WOLFAs a citizen of the 21st century, I am totally dependent on my computer, especially my e-mail. But I remember 12 years ago struggling with the idea of investing in our first computer. How would we use it? Would it just be an expensive toy for the boys? Today, I panic thinking about what happens at home or the office when the computer isn't working.So what has this amazing machine brought into my life? One very significant use for me is being able to stay in touch with friends and family in different parts of the country and the world on a regular basis. E-mail has become an essential part of my personal life, connecting me with some of the most important people in my life. At work, e-mail has become the most effective method of communication. It's fast, inexpensive and allows us to transfer incredible amounts of information quickly. At the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, we are sending out a monthly e-mail with volunteer opportunities in the Valley. We are also using e-mail to distribute a survey from our Joint Task Force on Religion in the Public Schools, to understand the issues facing our Jewish and educational communities regarding religious activities in schools. Another weekly e-mail focussing on Israel began as a method of getting news often not published by local newspapers to a small group of JCRC members. This e-mail has grown to a community information source for local Israel programs and information about Israel. To support our JCRC mission to advocate for Israel, we created an e-mail advocacy group. The JCRC's Israel Affairs Committee notifies its participants via e-mail of articles, editorials and letters that have appeared in the media and warrant response. It can be a piece that contains errors about Israel or a positive piece that needs support. We provide participants with facts and information, making it easy to write a response. We also alert them about times when it is necessary to communicate with our elected officials in Washington, D.C. New members are welcome and needed. As in everything good, there's a danger if access to the Internet is not used appropriately. The amount of information on the Web can be overwhelming, making it difficult to take the time to explore and understand. Don't just react to e-mails and hit the "forward" button to those on your address list. Get in the habit of checking the facts behind the e-mails before you help create counter productive urban legends. If you are interested in receiving any of the JCRC e-mails, send an e-mail to jcrc@jewishphoenix.org. This e-mail list will be about your local Jewish community, its issues and opportunities, and you can forward it to your entire e-mail address list. Cathy Wolf is the director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. Contact her at 480-634-4900, ext. 1108. |
