Originally published in the "Ohio Jewish Chronicle," print edition September 5, 2002

New year, new Web site. On September 9, Columbus enters the next generation of cyberspace, when the Columbus Jewish Federation launches its new Web site, JewishColumbus.org. The site is a powerful outreach tool, offering an online gateway to the central Ohio Jewish community where visitors can access the most comprehensive source of Jewish information in the region with just a few clicks.

JewishColumbus.org provides regularly updated news from the Federation, United Jewish Communities, the Associated Press and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. In-depth pieces from national and international Jewish agencies and Israeli government news services compliment the news. More than a dozen content providers also offer travel features, volunteering and social action information, Jewish lifestyle and education resources, and a host of other features. A virtual Jewish Yellow Pages maintains information about, and referrals to, nearly every Jewish agency, synagogue, school and institution in the community.

The site also boasts interactive features such as e-newsletters, opinion polls, discussion forums and chats, and an interactive community calendar – including local, regional, national and international events, Jewish holidays, Sabbath candle-lighting times and weekly Torah portions. Additional services include online video and audio, a Jewish job finder, and virtual greeting cards. In coming weeks, the Federation will be adding online event registration and e-payment capabilities for Campaign pledges.

Maintaining a dynamic presence in cyberspace offers Jewish institutions a proven method for engaging otherwise-disconnected members of the community. The Federation's 2001 Jewish Population Survey shows that the central Ohio Jewish community is rapidly growing – more than 40 percent in the last decade – and geographically dispersed. Less than 50 percent of all Jewish homes in the region belong to a synagogue. By comparison, nearly 70 percent of all households in metro Columbus access the Web, according to a May 2002 study in Yahoo! Internet Life magazine, using data from Forrester Research, the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey.

Joshua Platt, director of marketing and public relations, and an Internet industry veteran before joining the Federation, says JewishColumbus.org is a vast improvement over his organization's earlier offerings.

"Our old site was adequate, but it was little more than an online brochure," says Platt. "I've seen lots of Web publishing tools, and I can honestly say this is one of the best. We now have capabilities about which I could previously only dream. JewishColumbus.org allows us to keep the community up-to-date and better connected than we ever could before."

In addition to strengthening outreach and engagement efforts, Jewish Columbus.org helps reduce expenses. A reasonable, monthly fee provides the Federation – and any local Jewish institution choosing to make use of the system – with publishing software, syndicated content, Web hosting, and technical support and security services. Utilizing the Web to communicate with congregants, members and donors also reduces printing and mailing costs.

"In this year of crisis, the Federation needs to be even more cost-conscious," says Platt. "JewishColumbus.org provides the entire community a high-quality Web site, without a substantial financial or staff commitment. We're using our resources in an extremely prudent fashion."

The Federation developed JewishColumbus.org using United Jewish Communites' FedWeb publishing system. The Wall Street Journal, the Jerusalem Post and the Philanthropy News Network have lauded the service, which the Web Marketing Association honored with an Outstanding Web Site award. Nearly 50 North American Federations currently subscribe to FedWeb; more than a dozen are planning to launch sites in coming months.

Users visiting the Federation's previous Web address, TCJF.org, will automatically access the new site. E-mail addresses for Federation staff members will not change. For more information about using JewishColumbus.org, or to access the FedWeb publishing tool for your institution, contact Joshua Platt, the Federation's director of marketing and public relations, at 614-237-7686 x224, or email webmaster@tcjf.org.

###