2007 - United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

calendar, monthly bulletin, photo gallery, schedule of services and a weekly newsletter, which includes a link to the
weekly MachshevotHa’Rav, a blog through which our Rabbi initiates discussion on current issues. Emergency
information can be posted in a highlighted banner on the home page. Many other pages in the public domain bring
information about the people and programs of our congregation and links to sites of connected organizations, including
the USCJ. With username and password, members can reach additional information in the members’ domain, which
includes the membership directory, bulletin archives, a means. to submit items for the weekly newsletter, and a member
information update form. Access to the third layer, the administrative domain, is provided to the persons responsible for
updates of the weekly newsletter, the event calendar, the photo gallery or emergency notices; this distribution of access
greatly facilitates keeping the information current. A Webmaster provides overall maintenance, design modification
and control of access to the various levels.
Our Webmaster monitors site usage, the number of users who have logged in and updated information, and the
total number of visits. Interviews with new members and prospective members who call our office for information
indicate that our message is being received.
SILVER
ADAS ISRAEL CONGREGATION
Over 900
Washington, DC
Submitted by Russell Smith 202-362-4433
.
Adas Israel’s website is a dynamic and informative source for members, prospective members, and the community. It
includes a breadth and depth of information that is intended to assist, inform, and welcome. From the history of Adas
Israel and its clergy and lay leadership, to educational (adult and youth) programming, membership information,
religious services, social action, and our auxiliaries, the website offers a window into many aspects of the synagogue
and congregation. The website is updated several times a week by a single staff person, who receives information from
various members of the staff, auxiliary groups, and lay members.
With easy to navigate menus and sub-menus, the website offers a user-friendly interface for both the first-time
visitor and the repeat reader. In addition to general synagogue information about services, holidays, adult education,
etc., the website provides various constituencies within the congregation an opportunity to share information, news and
events. As such, there are pages dedicated to the Religious School; Nursery School; Sisterhood & Men’s Club; Youth
Department; Traditional Egalitarian Minyan; Ruach Minyan; Social Action Council; Young Professionals & Singles;
and Gift Shop. Individuals (both staff and lay) are encouraged to submit materials for posting.
The ever-changing nature of the internet and the Adas Israel website enables us to vigorously pursue the
ongoing project of improving and updating. Our website receives a daily average of 150 visitors and more than 2500
hits. The enclosed pages document the website in its current iteration (as of April 18, 2007).
HONORABLE MENTION
CONGREGATION OHAV SHALOM
500-900 Albany, NY
Submitted by Lauren Schur 518-489 4706
Congregation Ohav Shalom takes great pride in our website that not only represents Ohav but it also represents our
Jewish community as a whole. As we do not pay a professional to do our website, we think it has a special simplicity
and makes our congregants feel more at ease and comfortable with our warmth. We have an easy to navigate tool bar on
the left side with a number of links that I will discuss in brevity. Our congregation website consists of a home page with
upcoming events as well as our construction link for pictures and day by day information of our construction website
link. Once you click on the construction link, it takes you to a week by week description of the construction as well as a
day by day construction guide. This is a very progressive site that allows congregants and donors to look at the daily
progress by numbers and pictures of our construction so they can justify just where their money is going. There is also a
question and answer sheet on this page that consists of any and all of the questions congregants could possibly have on
how the construction will affect them. The next link is called, about us, which contains our mission statement, as well as
a congregational update. The next link is news, and this is a quick look into what we are really doing here at Ohav --
this page contains recent event pictures of Ohav staff and congregation. The following page consists of events and
scheduling along with Minyan and all services times. Each event is current and has specifics such as: where, when,
contact info and a brief explanation of the event. Our next link is location and has directions from all of the areas you