The largest challenge we face is not the racists — it is the online culture that accepts them and their message. This acceptance allows others, particularly the young, to be drawn to prejudice through their ignorance. It encourages good people to stand idly by, or risk the ire of the community for attempting to limit another’s “free expression”.

I suspected that many young Jews have strong online personas that incorporate their Jewish identities, even when they're connected to non-Jews and friends from other communities... I wanted to find out if other young Jews use social networking sites in similar ways.

The wall on Henio Zytomirski‘s Facebook page is filled with Chanukah menorahs and Christmas greetings. His stats say he has over 2,000 friends, and every day his popularity only increases. “Wow,” you might think. “Lucky guy.” But then, looking more closely, you realize that this is no ordinary profile. Henio was killed in Majdanek, a young Jewish victim of the Holocaust. His profile is where Holocaust remembrance meets the 21st century.

Photographer Adam Cohen’s latest project, a collaboration with writer Craig Friedman, blends imagery and words using Internet technology. Their blog, The New American Census, features photographs that capture elements of American culture.  The blog, subtitled “the first census to sense America,” was launched in December 2009 and Cohen and Friedman say the project aims to show life as it is, taking inspiration from the world. It encourages viewers to actively observe their surroundings and question--and struggle with--the images around them...

I believe that the internet's greatest potential is to enable people to work together. There are examples everywhere of how the internet and tools like social networking are changing the rules. But this is only the beginning, and for us to truly realize the potential of a connected, collaborating world, there are more products to be invented and big problems to be solved.

Shimon Peres is a living legend—a founding father of the Jewish State. He arrived in Israel before the War of Independence, served in the Knesset, held numerous minister positions in the government, led Israel as both Prime Minister and President and has won the Nobel Peace Prize. And yet, he will forever be remembered as the man who just recently introduced Israel to…wait for it….“Bookface.” 

eCamp Israel

This summer, Israel and the Jewish world's first international technology summer camp will open its doors to approximately 300 10-18 year-olds from around the world. Campers will participate in technology workshops on topics ranging from flash animation and 3D modeling to games, programming, web design and wireless game controllers.