Atlanta Jewish Times | Page 24

www.atlantajewishtimes.com SYNAGOGUE GUIDE Live Streaming Helps Congregations Connect By Logan C. Ritchie [email protected] C an’t come to synagogue? Synagogue will now come to you. In an effort to attract members, appeal to an aging population with less mobility, and cater to techsavvy millennials, some Atlanta synagogues are adopting technology to broadcast religious services and lifecycle events. It just takes a few clicks. Live streaming delivers events, such as Shabbat services, via the Internet while they are happening. Users can watch on smartphones, tablets or laptops from home or around the world. Atlanta congregations using live streaming include Temple Kol Emeth, Temple Sinai, Temple Emanu-El, The Temple and Ahavath Achim Synagogue. At Kol Emeth in East Cobb, Jon Worly, the volunteer director of communications, uses Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to communicate with the congregation’s 500 families. “Our feed announces general temple events as well as teen and youth I can’t relocate to NEW YORK, so how can I become a RABBI or CANTOR? You can do it at AJR. events. Social media is the best way to talk to our youth,” he said. “We are trying to be a leader of technology and the way people receive information, whether that’s by email, newsletter by mail or social media. Whatever way they want it, we want to give it to them,” Worly said. More than a year ago cameras were installed in the sanctuary to stream major events, includin