THANK YOU LEAH!
Leah Jones is a writer in Chicago who Avi and I met via blogging and the web. Over some time we’ve become “blog” friends and at some point, after knowing how Avi and I met, she asked if she could write about us for an article in PresenTense magazine; I agreed.
Today I received an email from Esther Kustanowitz sharing the new issue of PresenTense magazine. And lo’ and behold! There I / we were in the first line of the article. THANKS LEAH!
The article begins an interesting discussion around how modern Jews meet up via the internet. Leah did her research and shares the opinions of both those who think the online community is far from that – community; as well as the opinions and thoughts of fellow bloggers who use this forum to make multitudes of connections. As a matter of fact, Avi is speaking with Leah on the phone as I write this. I’ve met Esther a few times on her trips to L.A. Oy, I’ve met SO MANY bloggers and people with whom I used to know via the JDate chat room when I was still in my ’single and looking’ days. I for one agree with Leah. The internet is a wonderful tool for making contacts and connections. Not only do I make Jewish connections but I have made some great teaching connections and have even turned some of those into real life friendships (HI NANI).
My only qualm with the article is that my blog was much more than two years old when Avi and I met online. 
But those are minor details. I actually began blogging while in my teaching credential program. I’m guessing my blog started around September 2003 or 2004.
Anyway, check it out, give Leah a read, she deserves it! And THANKS ESTHER for pointing it out to me.
Filed under: Canada, Relationships, family, marriage
Woo hoo! Thanks for the shout-out. And now for the serious comment…
I disagree with those who say that the Internet and Judaism are incompatible. Being involved in an online Jewish community does not necessarily preclude “real-life” involvement.
Oops, guess I misread the archives, but the adorable picture and great romance make up for the messed up date, I hope.
Nani, I certainly agree with you, and I venture to say anyone 20s and 30s does, too. But there’s an institutional reluctance to believe that online community can lead to offline community–seems counterintuitive to many of them, and worse, seems destructive too–”will they need me anymore, if they’ve found their own ways to connect?”–and that brings out the fear of becoming irrelevant…
Glad you liked the piece!
http://www.onlinedatingedge.com/2008/03/my-jdate-experiment-guys-perspective-on.html
http://www.onlinedatingedge.com/2007/04/blogosphere-dont-be-keyboard-jockey.html
2 interesting articles related to blogging and meeting people, and J-Date
Hazak U’bruch! Congrats!
Totally agree with you on the net thing. I would not have met my current boyfriend if not for our blogs.
I agree that the web is a great way to meet people. Of course, like myself, there are people who should be heard online but not seen.
Hey Marty! I read your blog, very funny–but lo and behold I cant leave any comment there because I do not have an account…
Esther I agree, in my previous life I worked at a synagogue and yes old habits die hard. I tried my best to get their website more interactive, i too believe that an online community can help lead to a more Offline in the synagogue for events community…but I seem to be in the minority opinion….and we all know where minority opinions go in the Talmud……(good for study, not for actual everyday use)