JBloggers Convention Post-Mortum: No Regrets

26 of the Sixth Month 5769

Well, another Jewish Bloggers Convention has passed, and I didn't even get a lousy T-Shirt.

Do I regret not going? No. But, just because I didn't attend the convention, doesn't mean that I can't provide my very own post-mortum. That's part of the fun of being a blogger, throwing my opinion around whenever I want. Hey! No one said you had to read it!

I included many links in this post. That was not to annoy you, but so that you can know who I'm talking about, that is, if you want to. You don't have to click on every single link. For convenience sake, links to posts and to websites are in blue-green and links to photos are in red.

Convention Communication
As I was trying to leave my house, I saw Benji online, and asked him via Twitter if he had seen any of my attempts at infiltration cards at the convention. Then I noticed Akiva online, live-Twoozing the convention. So, I followed him for a while, and suggested a question to ask at the workshop he was attending.

Akiva: In the Defending Israel through Social Media session. Israeli govt spokesperson, 'We're losing the PR battle.'

10ag: @akivapaths Has anyone brought up that some Jewish bloggers couldn't care less about PR to goyim? Educating Jews, yes....

(cont.) Let's care more about what HaQadosh Barukh Hu (The Holy One, Blessed Be He) thinks, and not what the goyim think. #jbloggers

Akiva: @benyehudah #jbloggers I'll ask when they open to questions :-) Yes you can live Twooze your questions!

I'd be interested in finding out what the response was from the panel. Later that night, I did some more, quick Twittering with Ron and Rafi about the convention, kind of a wrap-up.


Convention Voyeurism
Jacob Richman took countless photos at the convention, and was nice enough to post them on his site. He also put many more on Facebook, and opened them up for tagging.

Boy, I'm glad I didn't go, simply because of the crowds. I hadn't even thought of that when I originally posted why I wasn't attending. I'm not claustrophobic or anything, just feel a bit overwhelmed by them sometimes.

Double Tapper was clever enough to wear a shirt with his blog name on it, not to mention bringing his trademark,...a weapon. Steve Leavitt also wore a shirt with his name on it.

Yocheved Golani kept holding up a small poster promoting her book. A little tacky, yes, but can't fault her really. And it worked. Even I am blogging about it, giving her a drop of free publicity. After all, it sounds like it could be a helpful book. It's called It's My Crisis and I'll Cry If I Need To: Empower Yourself to Cope with a Medical Challenge.

Yocheved is sitting next to Penina Tal-Or of Jews For Judaism, and Ruti Mizrahi of Ki Yachol Nuchal.

Carl was there. Our mutual acquaintance Debbie suggested that he and I meet. Perhaps one of these days...

I also missed meeting Rafi. Here he is with Akiva. I also missed seeing my buddy Shmu'el, now that he's abandoned me.... Actually, I missed meeting quite a few people for the first time: Ron, RivkA, Risa, Jacob, and countless others.


Airing Of Grievances (alla "Seinfeld" on Festivus)
Where to begin? Well, I will just stick with those issues I did not already cover in my original why I'm not attending post.

1. Check out the prayer set-up. Unacceptable. Where are my daleth amoth? (I told you so.) Was there a place to wash ones hands nearby? Was there silence? Was there chit-chat? Was it rushed through? Were the ma'asas of the inyanim of the minhagim emphasized over halacha?

2. I heard from Batya that there wasn't any mention of Twoozer nor of WeJew. Not cool. (Harumpf!) For those of you unfamiliar with these networking tools, Twoozer is the Jewish answer to Twitter, and WeJew is the Jewish answer to YouTube. Here's a photo of founders and operators Avi Abelow and Shlomo Wollins, standing with Moshe and my friend Menahem.

3. Was there any mention of Haveil Havalim or any other blog carnival? (I told you so.)

4. Jack, Soccer Dad, and Leah were not flown in for the convention. (I told you so.) Totally unacceptable.

5. Well, I could go on and on. But as my friend Ariel suggests, there's really no point in doing so.

They didn't seem to listen to feedback last year (...or did they?), so why would they this year?


No Regrets?
So, do I regret not attending the convention? Nope. It still seems to much like a stage for a select few to push their agendas and to make some money. However, most bloggers with whom I spoke were most interested in the social opportunities, were grateful for the set up, and were willing to tolerate the blatant ulterior motives in order to shmooze, catch up, and meet new people.

I sure would have liked to see the looks on people's faces when Jameel Rasheed requested press credentials. (ha ha!)

As you can see, I am happy to promote people, organizations such as WebAds.co.il (Heck! Even my own health insurance company was a sponsor!), even conventions themselves. I am just not willing to attend those conventions which include the participation of representatives from the Israeli government. But, never say never.

OK. Maybe I

By the way, did anyone else besides Ariel, Ron, RivkA, and Benji see my cards which were snuck into the convention? Does anyone know what happened to them?