FAQs for JM 2.0

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Jewish Milestones is hitting the REFRESH Button. In other words, we’re making some changes to our services over the next few months and we want to keep you in the loop and to hear back from you. So keep Jewish Milestones bookmarked and refreshed while we update our website each month (www.JewishMilestones.org) and join us on one of our two new blogs: http://blog.JewishMilestones.org AND http://blog.WideAngleJudaism.org.

WHAT CHANGES WILL AFFECT ME?

• If you are seeking a referral from Jewish Milestones CLICK HERE
• If you make referrals to Jewish Milestones CLICK HERE
• If you want to browse or borrow from our Ritual Resource Library: Our Torah scroll, portable ark, other ritual objects, books, articles, music, and more will continue to be available for browsing and borrowing, CLICK HERE
• If you want information about our public programs:
  • The Art of Healing: A Jewish Approach to Spiritual Care, will be held on May 16, 2010. For more information, CLICK HERE
  • Our partnership with Mayyim Hayyim: Living Waters Community Mikveh in Newton, MA (funded by the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund), continues with our co-sponsorship and leadership role in the Gathering the Waters International Mikveh Conference in October 2010. For more information, CLICK HERE
• If you want an update on our “Chemotherapy Siddur” project: On February 18, 2010, the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties approved a generous technical assistance grant to help Jewish Milestones build out this powerful and innovative new ritual object which is a personalized book of meditations and prayers for people undergoing medical treatment. CLICK HERE

• If you want to share ideas, discuss the work we do, dialogue about our vision, partner with us, etc. please visit us at: http://blog.JewishMilestones.org
  

WHY NOW?

In order to sustain Jewish Milestones in today’s harsh economic environment, we are compelled to do some significant restructuring.  Nevertheless, our vision is unchanged and our commitment to what we call “Wide-Angle Judaism,” extends beyond any of the particular programs and services we offer. 

We have just created a new forum for engaging more people in discussion about our expansive ideas and opportunities for action: Please join us in conversation on our new Wide–Angle Judaism blog (http://blog.wideangleJudaism.org).

IS THIS A EUPHEMISM FOR “SHUT DOWN”?

In a word: No.

We’re not shutting down.  We’re extending the computer metaphor just long enough to describe our approach as getting a surge protector while we upgrade to JM 2.0.

HAS JEWISH MILESTONES CONSIDERED OTHER OPTIONS?

Yes. We have been strategizing and investigating options with a variety of  professionals for two plus years, but true to our mission, we expect that great ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. So we’d like to invite you to share your thoughts, perspectives and suggestions on our newly-launched blog: http://blog.JewishMilestones.org

HOW CAN I HELP?

Many of you have begun to ask how you might be helpful to Jewish Milestones at this time. Here’s what we need most:

• Your time: We are eagerly collecting names of people willing to volunteer specific skills, services and office support for Jewish Milestones during this transition period. For more information email: Volunteer@JewishMilestones.org
• Your donations: We’re raising money for General Operating Support (most needed), services such as the Ritual Resource Library, and designated gifts for the Chemotherapy Siddur project.
• Your patience: Transitions are especially busy times (think birth, weddings, etc.) and we hope you’ll be patient as we manage the increase in the volume of calls, emails and consultations we’re anticipating between now and June.