Dear Webmasters:
Happy New Year!
Please help me congratulate the nearly 100 congregations who have gone live on RJ Web Builder 3.0 over the past two months. You can check out a full list on the help site. Kol Hakavod to the new sites!
WordPress, through the plugin WP-Members, allows you to restrict selected content to be viewable only by registered site members. You can hide full menu items or just some content. To learn how, watch these two video tutorials.
Many of you have noticed the words "Agency Demo" or "Corporate Demo" in the browser tab of your home page. This stems from the demo sites, and it can be easily changed. To do so, update the search engine optimization (SEO) tools offered through Yoast, which you can find it near the bottom of any page or post.
I am always looking for new resources to add to the help site. If you have any suggestions or notice that something important is missing, please let me know.
Finally, save the dates! The URJ is hosting a Social Media 101 webinar on October 22, and a Social Media 201 webinar on October 24. These webinars are designed to maximize your synagogue's messaging and strengthen your online presence. Register today!
Joel Emerman
Congregational Websites Manager
212.452.6579 (Central Time)
Quick Tips
How to Add an Alert Message to Your Site
The Alert module is a new feature through Themify Builder, which allows you to showcase content as schedulable notifications/alerts.
How to Add a Read More Button to Text
You can insert a read more button to trim down text and focus on the visuals in the text module. Readers who want to read the full content can click the "read more" button.
Did You Know?
The Month's Bulletin Tips
Learning email marketing terms and lingo can seem daunting. The glossary, Email Marketing Terms to Know, is a great resource to read and refer back to as you continue to create and improve your e-newsletters.
An email newsletter is an extension of your congregation, and it creates a consistent dialogue with your members. Designing a Successful Email Newsletter offers tips for keeping our newsletters informative, friendly, and fun.
If you have your own tip to share, you can post it in The Tent. For future tips, make sure you're signed up for Bulletin Bytes.
There Are a Lot of Great Resources Available in The Tent
There's a new set of graphics and customizable ads and flyers for promoting your congregational programs. You can add your own text and logos to the ads and flyers.
It's never too early to think about Hanukkah, which starts December 2. Camera-ready ads are available for your promotional use.
Registration is Open for Next Summer's URJ Youth Programs
There are tons of opportunities for young people to connect, learn, grow, and have fun next summer. You can request materials to help let your congregation know. Also, find ready-to-use ads for website, social media, and emails to promote your regional URJ camp and URJ teen programs.
Also, you can use this graphic and language to help promote NFTY in Israel:
- Summer 2019 registration is now open for NFTY in Israel, the URJ's teen Israel program. Teens can choose from six trips, including a week in Europe, and specialty trips in science & technology, social justice, sports, and Hebrew immersion. Learn more.
Staying in Touch
We are challenged in reaching current webmasters due to high turnover and changes in email addresses. If you are receiving this email, you are the person who was reported to the URJ to be handling your congregation's website. If there are additional people who need to be on this list or if you need to get off this list, please send corrected information to datamgmt@urj.org.