Translating Judaism for the Post-Digital Age
Presentation on the Jewish FutureBrandeis, 2008
Ariel BeeryCo-Founder, PresenTense
Imitation vs Assimilation
“When once the community is started on this path … self-love will make it believe in its own strength...”
– Ahad Haam, “Imitation and Assimilation” (1893)
Our opportunity: To learn from the best practices of human civilization, and to develop a unique strategy for Jewish success in the dawning era.
The Idea: Creative Society
•The PresenTense Big Idea: Translate Judaism’s value into an Information-Age structure and language
•Realize the collective potential of the global Jewish People through increased connectivity
•In three words:
Network for Creativity
Strategic ContextStrengths Challenges
Threats Opportunities
•Creative Economy
•Prosumership
•Social Networking
•Global Communication
•New Jewish Self-Image
•Erosion of Local Identity
•Homeland-Diaspora•Worldwide capacity
•Network Infrastructure
•New energy rising
•Breakdown of Communication•Rich Tradition and Culture
•Attention Economy
•Industrial/Information Clash
•Multiculturalist Universalism
How to think Post-Digital
Keys to Post-Digital Win
•Focus on Value and enable Creativity in a Jewish Context: to act in the Image of the Creator is to be Creators ourselves
•Invest in opportunities to bridge the old and new
•Clarify a set of value protocols that upgrade the Jewish Operating System’s abilities
•Value results from an interaction between person and product, but must be bounded by protocols
Tikkun Olam through Yetzirat Ha’Adam
Platform
Platform according to pmarca: “a system that can be programmed and therefore customized by outside developers -- users -- and in that way, adapted to countless needs and niches that the platform's original developers could not have possibly contemplated, much less had time to accommodate.”
=
Not an organization an organizing framework.
We need a Platform
New York
London
Singapore
Buenos Aires
Paris
Bombay
Jerusalem
Moscow
Our vision: A network of creative spaces sharing value, so the whole is more than the sum of its parts
Macro: Organizing Framework
This network enriches current institutions and connects them worldwide
Community Space
Creative Space
Resident Space
Micro: Node Structure Gathering creative sparks =
lighting the Eternal Fire
Each node radiates new energy to its host community
Use-Case ScenarioMeet Samantha.
•Internet entrepreneur
•Seeking creative connections
•Wants a community
•Essentially rootless – goes where the action is.
CreativeJam
San Francisco via Boston
London via
Jerusalem
Meet Jacob.
18 Fellows from around the world, 12 Projects
4 Projects come to proof-of-concept in 5 months
Proto-Node in Jerusalem for 6 Week Period
Summer 2007 Institute
Proof of Concept
Space + Network + Enabling = Creativity
Came with: Talented rap skills and an idea for Bible raps
Developed this: A Bible Rap curriculum that can affect youth on a national scale
Matt Bar
Came with: Successful local model for engagement, Challah4HungerGained this: Paradigm for decentralized activism, and acquisition by more established organization
Eli Winkelman
Came with: An idea for a trip to Israel and a passion for the Jewish StateDeveloped this: An impressive proof-of-concept leading to acquisition offers and investment opportunities
Avi Bass
Some Projects Launched
•Grassroots events in cities across the world
•Forwards a positive narrative about Peoplehood
•Global network of volunteers developing shared vision
PresenTense Magazine
Proof of Concept, cont. “… I think we all know that there is not a shortage
of new publications geared toward young Jews, but there is no one else who is doing it with the moral seriousness and commitment to the Jewish people that I think you all have mustered to date. For that reason I am very excited to be on board, and to do my part to make PT as good a magazine as it can possibly be.”
- Matt Ackerman, incoming Ideas and Innovation Editor
Translating Judaism’s Value
“On a personal level…I feel so empowered as a part of the PresenTense network, sitting here in Chicago but being part of a global community working towards a vision of Jewish creativity. It's something I'm committed to, and I'm so excited to be working with you on making it happen!”
--Deborah Fishman, PTMagazine Managing Editor
The Network will provide a living example that being part of the Jewish People adds value to human life, bridging personal vision with collective mission.
To bring the next age
Connect the sparks and give people the reason to
be Jewish: it is the best way to live in this new world