Cyber-JudaismThe way we communicate our sacred tradition has changed radically since

the days of the oral tradition, quills and parchment, and the invention of the

printing press. (Reform Judaism Magazine,

Summer 2009 issue)

“We have to redefine the parameters of how we reach the

people. In today’s world, congregations are not solely those people who come within the walls

of the institution.”

Ron Segal, Senior Rabbi, Temple Sinai

Why offer streaming services?

Not all people can physically attend a Shabbat service, Lifecycle event or program

Medical Condition prevents them from attending• Illness, Childbirth, Hospitalized• Shut In • Unable to drive at night

Why offer streaming services?

Family Members not able to be present• Traveling for business• Family vacation• College Students• Military• Out-of-town family member who wants to share

their family’s Life Cycle

Why offer streaming services?

For Outreach• Prospective Members

• Smaller / rural communities who may not have a rabbi or infrastructure

• Nursing Homes/Assisted Living

• Military serving overseas

Does streaming impact the feeling of community & attendance?

• Streaming services will never replace being present together.

• Internet connections enhance, rather than replace,

real-life communications.

• Although sharing a Shabbat service or Life Cycle event online can be a bonus for certain people or circumstances, the ‘virtual visit’ is not the same as

being there.

What does it cost to set up?

Temple Sinai installed our streaming equipment in November, 2009 in both our sanctuary and chapel for a cost of approximately $18,000. This included the Cat 5e wiring installation, electrical requirements, equipment racks and computers.

• SONY BRC-300 Vaddio Quick Connect CCU (camera)• Vaddio Production View DV Capture• Vaddio ProductionView Super Joystick (used to move the camera

views)• Tower computer (one for each camera) • Computer Monitor (one monitor with a switch to view each

computer)

Our Endowment Committee approved the funding for the purchase.

Camera & Rack

What does it cost each month?

• We chose to go with Livestream (www.livestream.com) and pay $3500. annually. This covers one premium channel (no commercials and 3000 viewer hours) and unlimited free channels (ads pop up during the broadcast).

• Other companies include Ustream & MultiMedia Pros

• After each service/program, we upload our videos to Vimeo. $59 annual cost.

Is it hard to do the stream?

NOT AT ALL!

• Before services, you turn on the equipment. Choose which channel & camera you want to control. Click the Livestream icon that says “Go Live” and the service is now streaming. At the end of the service, you press stop.

• If there is someone to run the ‘joystick’, the services are more ‘personalized’ because the camera is not a still shot and it follows the activities of the service.

How do people access the streaming service?

On the front page of our website, there is an icon “Temple Sinai Live”

Clicking the icon takes them to our Stream page. From there, they select the service they want to watch.

We also have an evaluation form on this page to allow viewers to provide ratings and comments about their ‘virtual visit’.

You can watch services “On Demand” on our Vimeo page

After services are over, we upload them to our Vimeo page. Each service is renamed and the date is included.

We have numerous albums to separate the services by type so viewers can easily locate what they are looking for:• Friday Shabbat• Saturday AM Shabbat• Saturday B’nei Mitzvah• Rock Shabbat• Adult Education Programs

• Temple Sinai • www.livestream.com Temple Sinai

on Livestream. We provide streaming of Torah Study, Adult Education and our Shabbat Services to you - Watch live streaming Internet TV. Broadcast your own live streaming videos, like Temple Sinai in Widescreen HD. Livestream, Be There.

• Temple Sinai Atlanta• Shabbat Shalom! Please join us

for services by clicking the link below.

We promote it on our Facebook page

Facebook comment: Oh, `tis good to have streaming services! Thanks TS -- and special thanks to Gene for running the cameras! :)May 20 at 9:09pm · Like Unlike.

We promote it on iSinai

There is a tab included in our iSinai phone app called “Live” which allows you to view the services live and on demand.

Partnerships Forming

• Cohen Home

• Breman Home

• Institute for Southern Jewish Life

• USO

What are they saying?

• “We just had to tell you how much we enjoyed tonight’s streaming Shabbat service! We brought the laptop to the dinner table, said our prayers, ate our challah and watched the service during dinner.”

• “I just wanted to let you know what an amazing success the streaming {B’nei Mitzvah} service was. It allowed members of our family in the Northeast, West Coast, and halfway around the world to be there with us! What a wonderful gift!”

• “The ice storm prevented me from getting to Sinai tonight. But because of the streaming of service, I was ‘there’ and enjoyed every minute of it.”

What are they saying?

• “The streaming service is great as a method of being able to participate in Service no matter where I am so I can still feel some communion with my Rebbe and congregants.”

• “My husband & I used to be members, but we moved away from Atlanta. It’s nice to feel part of the Temple Sinai community again!”

• “Sadly, our congregation is small and does not have Friday evening services. For me, this wonderful stream allows me to feel like I am still, in some way, participating in some community.”

Inspirational/Joyous

• One of our founding members who lost his battle with cancer, spent his final Shabbat services {online} with his congregational family from his hospital bed.

• A wedding was almost postponed because of the groom’s ailing father in Tennessee. Instead, the ceremony was streamed and, although the father passed away just two days later, he was able to see his son wed.

• We streamed our High Holy Day services and through Google Analytics found that people were viewing from Afghanistan & Saudi Arabia.

• A recent wedding was ‘attended’ by the bride’s family spread throughout four households in Israel.

Thank You.

If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Jackie Greene, Operations/Communications Director

jgreene@templesinaiatlanta.org

404-252-3073

www.templesinaiatlanta.org