| Over the course of the past year, it has become clear to everyone in the world that social media like Facebook and Twitter have the capacity to impact society in powerful ways. As we witnessed the collapse of one Arab dictatorship after another, it became very clear that the use of social media can be highly instrumental in mobilizing communities and communicating ideas. While the Arab Spring may have demonstrated the power of these social media applications on a global scale, many of us have known this for a long time. Our youth, in particular, are learning how to use these tools of technology to create cyber communities, organize flash mobs and to get people more involved in new and exciting ways. While I am rather inept at all of these new technologies, I have witnessed moments at HCRJ where a mere posting of information on our underutilized Facebook page can have a wonderful impact on a program. One such moment took place on Christmas morning. Just a few hours before our annual Christmas program at the Turning Point Center my wife, Beckye, posted the following message on the HCRJ Facebook page: Sitting on the couch reading Facebook? Join us at The Turning Point Center at 10:45 a.m. this morning as we serve lunch, sing Christmas Carols and pass out gifts to the residents. This simple posting resulted in the following response: I think I might just do that. . . I’m on my way. Should be there around 11:00 if that’s ok? From one simple posting, we were able to inspire an individual to perform a spontaneous mitzvah. This small achievement in our technological outreach represents a very significant step in the right direction for HCRJ. In today’s technologically driven society, the demand for social media in communications and communal organization has become even more important than printed materials for many of our younger members. In fact, it is not likely that anyone under the age of 25 is reading this bulletin article. Like a website, the Facebook page is an efficient way of disseminating information for a congregation, but it adds the social interaction features that promote community. Many synagogues around the country have already seen positive results from their first forays into social media. I have colleagues who tweet. Others use Facebook to stay informed about members and their needs. Some produce YouTube videos for teaching purposes. Social media is central to the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world and is rapidly becoming a major way people communicate and even congregate. As social media increasingly become part of our daily lives, people will continue to find new ways to interact with religion and spirituality as well. For some, it may be interacting with like-minded people on a synagogue Facebook page. For others it may be learning a different Jewish lesson each day through a Twitter feed. As these trends continue to unfold, our ability to utilize social media in the HCRJ community becomes increasingly important. If you are skilled in any of the social media applications available or if your child has a passion for this kind of interaction, we need your help. HCRJ is currently in the early stages of developing ways to utilize social media in our daily activities, and your ideas can help us shape our methods of connection for the future. Please contact me at rabbigross@hcrj.org if you wish to get involved. |
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism (HCRJ) has celebrated over
50 years of worship as a Classical Reform Jewish temple in Houston,
Texas. Located in the heart of Houston’s Galleria area, HCRJ offers an
intimate, vibrant, and inclusive Jewish synagogue with a feeling of
warmth and welcoming where Jewish fellowship may flourish.
Rabbi Steven Gross has nurtured profound spiritual connections and an
engaged community since he began serving our congregation in 2005.
Our innovative religious school is based on a curriculum designed to
engage students in dynamic, interactive learning experiences that teach
Jewish history and principles through nature, art, cooking and other fun,
exciting activities. Classes are held on Sunday mornings.
We welcome you at any of our 7:15 p.m. Friday services.
50 years of worship as a Classical Reform Jewish temple in Houston,
Texas. Located in the heart of Houston’s Galleria area, HCRJ offers an
intimate, vibrant, and inclusive Jewish synagogue with a feeling of
warmth and welcoming where Jewish fellowship may flourish.
Rabbi Steven Gross has nurtured profound spiritual connections and an
engaged community since he began serving our congregation in 2005.
Our innovative religious school is based on a curriculum designed to
engage students in dynamic, interactive learning experiences that teach
Jewish history and principles through nature, art, cooking and other fun,
exciting activities. Classes are held on Sunday mornings.
We welcome you at any of our 7:15 p.m. Friday services.
| Bless all who enter this house. May the worship offered within its walls be worthy of Your greatness and Your love; that all who seek Your presence may find it here. For the joy of community, the gift of human diversity, and the vision of universal harmony, we offer our grateful thanks. -Union Prayer Book Sinai Edition |
Home
| Welcome to HCRJ Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism |
(top of page)
| 801 Bering Drive Houston, Texas 77057 Tel: 713/782-4162 Fax: 713/782-4167 hcrj@hcrj.org |
We are currently in the
process of planning a
family trip to Israel.
June 9-20, 2012.
Click Here to access the
online registration form,
trip itinerary, pricing, and
terms/conditions.
process of planning a
family trip to Israel.
June 9-20, 2012.
Click Here to access the
online registration form,
trip itinerary, pricing, and
terms/conditions.
| 2012 Family Israel Trip |
| HOUSTON CONGREGATION FOR REFORM JUDAISM |
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| Follow Us On |
| Follow Rabbi Gross on the HCRJ BLG. |
| Click Here for information on the HCRJ Pillars Campaign |
| Follow Rabbi Gross on the HCRJ BLOG. |
| Materniy Leave at HCRJ Melisa Wolfson, Temple Administrator, and her husband, Steven, are expecting a baby girl any day now. Melissa will be on maternity leave through March. Our offie will be managed by Emily Feinstein. Emily's hours will be limited to Monday, Tuesday and Friday, so please be atient while Melissa is away. |
Sometimes things get a
little hectic in the office, and
we need extra hands to
help out with mailings.
If you can spare an hour or
so, and would like to be on
our list of people to call,
please either email the
office at hcrj@hcrj.org or call
the office at 713-782-4162
and we will keep your name
on file. We would really
appreciate your help.
little hectic in the office, and
we need extra hands to
help out with mailings.
If you can spare an hour or
so, and would like to be on
our list of people to call,
please either email the
office at hcrj@hcrj.org or call
the office at 713-782-4162
and we will keep your name
on file. We would really
appreciate your help.
| Volunteers Needed |
| Website Issues: Contact - admin@hcrj.org |
| Welcome New Members Robert and Shawna Markoff Sara and Kevin Robins |
| INTERESTED IN SUMMER CAMP? CLICK HERE |
| Let's Face It February 2012 |
| Please become a fan of our Facebook page. You can find information on upcoming events, programs, weekly reflections and much more on both our wesite and Facebook. Click to like us: |