Some Thoughts on the JBloggers Conference

Some Thoughts on the JBloggers Conference

I enjoyed it for the most part, though if it had been up to me, I would have made it a little longer, if only to make more time for mingling. To me, that is the main purpose of such a conference, right up there with the sessions and panels: to talk with the other participants, especially with those whom we don’t usually get to see. We’re bloggers, after all. We talk. So we need more time to talk to each other face to face!

In my opinion, that is also why the Internet is such a miracle: it provides us with the opportunity to meet people whom we would not have met otherwise and to reconnect with old friends and acquaintances. (Yes, today’s generation would probably roll their collective eyes at me for that and say “Duh.” But I remember when moving meant losing touch with your friends for good. Not so simple.)

Binyamin Netanyahu spoke at length. He seems to have a good grasp on Jewish history and, as we all know, he is an excellent speaker. His political performance aside, I lived in his building for a year some time ago... and let’s just say that you can learn a lot about some neighbors just by living in close proximity to them, even if you hardly ever see them. It was, however, the most secure place I’ve ever lived in. ’Nuff said.

The food was excellent, the speakers were interesting—and no, Gila, I don’t think you’re self-centered at all for wanting to keep your blog your own, rather than turning it into a public-relations effort for the country. What you said made perfect sense to me. (Regarding good PR for Israel by bloggers—did anyone mention Israel21c at the conference? I don’t remember, but if they didn’t, then they should have.)

I do hope that there will be another conference next year—maybe even a full-day one, since there were quite a few people I would have liked to hear. Plus, of course, more mingling. Lots of mingling.

One of the friends I met at the conference was Yehuda. I really got a kick out of his t-shirt. (Click on the images to read what is written on each side.)

Front:

Back:

Of course, he’s just kidding. Tongue in cheek. Right, Yehuda? Right?