Project Genesis (organization)
Encyclopedia
Project Genesis is an Orthodox
Jewish outreach
organization based in Baltimore, Maryland and created by Rabbi Yaakov Menken
in 1993 to further the goals of the Baal teshuva movement
.
Project Genesis promotes further Jewish education as represented in Jewish sources. It believes that this is the best way to restore self-respect, self-confidence, and an interest Jewish continuity, among modern Jewish collegiates and unaffiliated Jews worldwide. It works to establish a strong Jewish identity, expand Jewish knowledge, and encourage its participants to become more involved with Judaism and the Jewish community.
offered on the Internet.
Teachers include Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein
, Pinchas Avruch, Yosef Kalatsky, Mordechai Kamenetzky, Label Lam, Yaakov Menken
, Naftali Reich, Berel Wein
, Rebbetzin
Leah Kohn and many others. It claims to have over 70,000 subscribers, with over 20,000 in the largest "class."
published an online journal of Jewish thought, called Cross-Currents, with articles written by himself and others. The name Cross-Currents reflected, in his words, the aspiration "to expose the intersection between two currents: the timeless flow of authentic Torah thought, and the ebb and tide of current affairs." Though the material was thoughtful and well-articulated, publication lapsed under pressure from other projects.
In recent years, weblogs have provided a forceful alternative to mainstream media outlets, even discrediting stories that appeared on the major news networks. In 2004, having seen the effectiveness of these political weblogs, Rabbi Yaakov Menken
of Project Genesis suggested to Rabbi Adlerstein the development of an online Jewish journal using the same technology that created Cross-Currents.com.
Orthodox Judaism
Orthodox Judaism , is the approach to Judaism which adheres to the traditional interpretation and application of the laws and ethics of the Torah as legislated in the Talmudic texts by the Sanhedrin and subsequently developed and applied by the later authorities known as the Gaonim, Rishonim, and...
Jewish outreach
Jewish outreach
Jewish outreach is a term with mixed support sometimes used to translate the Hebrew word kiruv or keruv . Judaism usually does not actively seek converts, although all denominations do accept those with a sincere commitment...
organization based in Baltimore, Maryland and created by Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Yaakov Menken
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is an Orthodox Rabbi and early pioneer in the field of Internet-based Orthodox Jewish outreach. He is the founder and Director of Project Genesis, and creator of its website Torah.org, one of the Internet's largest sites for onlineJewish education...
in 1993 to further the goals of the Baal teshuva movement
Baal teshuva movement
The Baal Teshuva movement is description of the return of secular Jews to religious Judaism. The term "baal teshuva" is a term from the Talmud literally meaning "master of repentance". The term is used to refer to a worldwide phenomenon among the Jewish people...
.
Project Genesis promotes further Jewish education as represented in Jewish sources. It believes that this is the best way to restore self-respect, self-confidence, and an interest Jewish continuity, among modern Jewish collegiates and unaffiliated Jews worldwide. It works to establish a strong Jewish identity, expand Jewish knowledge, and encourage its participants to become more involved with Judaism and the Jewish community.
Torah.org
Torah.org is the main web site of Project Genesis. It has a "network of online classes and a unique program in Jewish studiesJewish studies
Jewish studies is an academic discipline centered on the study of Jews and Judaism. Jewish studies is interdisciplinary and combines aspects of history , religious studies, archeology, sociology, languages , political science, area studies, women's studies, and ethnic studies...
offered on the Internet.
Teachers include Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein
Yitzchok Adlerstein
Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein is an Orthodox rabbi who has played an important role as spokesman, teacher, and writer on behalf of Orthodox Judaism as well as for the Baal teshuva movement in the United States...
, Pinchas Avruch, Yosef Kalatsky, Mordechai Kamenetzky, Label Lam, Yaakov Menken
Yaakov Menken
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is an Orthodox Rabbi and early pioneer in the field of Internet-based Orthodox Jewish outreach. He is the founder and Director of Project Genesis, and creator of its website Torah.org, one of the Internet's largest sites for onlineJewish education...
, Naftali Reich, Berel Wein
Berel Wein
Berel Wein is an American-born Orthodox rabbi, scholar, lecturer, and writer. He is regarded as an expert on Jewish history and has popularized the subject through more than 1,000 audio tapes, a four-volume book series, newspaper articles and international lectures...
, Rebbetzin
Rebbetzin
Rebbitzin or Rabbanit is the title used for the wife of a rabbi, typically from the Orthodox, or Haredi, and Hasidic Jewish groups...
Leah Kohn and many others. It claims to have over 70,000 subscribers, with over 20,000 in the largest "class."
MP3 Torah audio
TorahMedia.com is claimed to be the world’s most comprehensive online Torah lending library that collects audio recordings from over 100 teachers in MP3 format.Ask the Rabbi
Early Internet-based "Ask the Rabbi" services were victims of their own success. Ohr Somayach ran a very popular service but received too many questions from people outside their intended audience. JewishAnswers.org was designed by Project Genesis to offer many different rabbis the opportunity to receive questions from their local audiences. Currently over 70 Rabbis participate in the program.Cross-Currents.com
In 1998, Rabbi Yitzchok AdlersteinYitzchok Adlerstein
Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein is an Orthodox rabbi who has played an important role as spokesman, teacher, and writer on behalf of Orthodox Judaism as well as for the Baal teshuva movement in the United States...
published an online journal of Jewish thought, called Cross-Currents, with articles written by himself and others. The name Cross-Currents reflected, in his words, the aspiration "to expose the intersection between two currents: the timeless flow of authentic Torah thought, and the ebb and tide of current affairs." Though the material was thoughtful and well-articulated, publication lapsed under pressure from other projects.
In recent years, weblogs have provided a forceful alternative to mainstream media outlets, even discrediting stories that appeared on the major news networks. In 2004, having seen the effectiveness of these political weblogs, Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Yaakov Menken
Rabbi Yaakov Menken is an Orthodox Rabbi and early pioneer in the field of Internet-based Orthodox Jewish outreach. He is the founder and Director of Project Genesis, and creator of its website Torah.org, one of the Internet's largest sites for onlineJewish education...
of Project Genesis suggested to Rabbi Adlerstein the development of an online Jewish journal using the same technology that created Cross-Currents.com.
External links
- Project Genesis website
- Torah.org ("flagship" website)
- Cross-Currents
- List of Project Genesis sites