#ask-jumblr updates

[ask-jumblr]

Mod here. Chaggim (holidays) are interfering with other things I have to do “irl” and therefore with how much time I have to work on this blog. Queue may not consistently be filled until after Simcha Torah, but I will be checking the inbox at least every couple non-Shabbat/chag (Sabbath/holiday) days.

[ask-jumblr]

Mod here with a question for the community about what you want from this blog:

I regularly receive and post asks about halacha and/or what someone can do at their stage in the conversion process. How do we feel about me just doing a “you’ll probably need to ask a rabbi” disclaimer as the mod to get that out of the way so y’all can focus on how to ask a rabbi (or on guessing the answer).

[ask-jumblr]

Revamping the FAA (Frequently Asked Asks) page

I am working on gradually revamping the FAA or Frequently Asked Asks page into a series of interconnected pages (I promise there will be a central place that they are all linked to!). There’s too much wonderful--and at times repetitive--activity on this blog to fit it all into one page.

I will reblog this post with any major updates in my work, or any questions for which I am in need of broad feedback. However, if you are interested in providing input or seeing drafts, please reach out via messaging.

Much thanks! (Todah rabah!)  !תּוֹדָה רַבָּה  

[ask-jumblr]

Temporary slow-down

My workplace is making changes in response to covid-19. I’ve slowed down the que and may not be checking the inbox until I know what’s going on and settle into some semblance of a routine.

I’m not trained as a [human] healthcare worker, so we aren’t talking can’t-run-this-blog again busy, but I might be need-some-time-for-7-to-10-days-to-help-with-workplace-transitions-and-make-my-own-life-changes busy. I might be on here in the mean time, I might not. Either way, current que will more than suffice for that <3

Until the que is back to normal, please help me out by

Treating one another with respect. You don’t have to respond if you don’t have the emotional bandwidth. Someone else will.

Messaging me the post if you see content on posts from this blog you think I may need to moderate or block.

In the mean time:

What mega threads would be helpful for all y’all right now?

e.g. Jewish small businesses or service offerings (e.g. language lessons) that are over the internet, how to do x Jewish ritual I’ve always done at synagogue from home, memes or cheer-ups, resources for people whose livlihood is being affected

@progressivejudaism is posting a lot of resources right now. I also encourage other jumblrs that are primarily posting resources right now, as well as jumblrs with open ask boxes (for more time-sensitive questions) to give themselves a shout-out.

You can also help by reblogging the heck out of this post since it won’t all fit comfortably in the blog description and I haven’t had the chance to make it a blog page.

[ask-jumblr]

Tikkunity

Mod here!

While @ask-jumblr has been a great place to help people fill specific knowledge gaps or brainstorm solutions for personal problems, many asks on ask-jumblr reflect larger, systematic problems in our off-internet Jewish communities. Jumblrs have posted about  racism, financial barriers, and unclear communication, among other issues. From my off-jumblr network, I know that issues of accessibility, and shul drama can also make communities less than welcoming. In addition, many synagogues also face pressing structural and financial problems.

Tikkunity will provide a space within ask-jumblr for us to talk about how to solve systematic problems in our off-internet communities. 

Many but not all of these problems are likely to apply across denominations, regions, and community sizes. My only requests are that all y’all (1) keep in mind your own person experience/identities vis-a-vis the question, (2) don’t place blame on a community that’s not your own. When I talk about not blaming a community that’s not your own, I mean don’t ask how Reform communities can further congregants’ observance if you’re not Reform, don’t ask how a denomination you’ve never been a part of can fix its homophobia, etc.

I will try to keep this initiative “stocked” with questions, but I’d also like to hear from all y’all. Feel free to send asks/submissions that start with “Tikkunity:” and I’ll reformat them to match. If you send in one non-anonymously and don’t specifically request not to be credited, I will credit you for the question. I will hold onto the original ask/submission for at least a week past the reblog (I post and then reblog everything submitted here that meets guidelines) in case there’s any speculation that someone was misquoted.

[ask-jumblr]

kosher deli anon, thought i would provide an update. my friend called the agency, they took her seriously and said they would talk to the rabbi in question. in the meantime, they are sending another rabbi to renew their hechsher. luckily this is anonymous so she won't get in trouble with her boss! thank you everyone that helped

Mod here with the original ask:

my (very observant and active in the community) friend works at a kosher deli. she recently observed the rabbi who granted their hechsher taking money from her goyische manager so he could get away with not keeping things 100% kosher. this really upset her, and i have no clue what she should do about it. has anyone encountered something like this before? is there anything she /can/ do for the deli or the customers who believe what they are buying is kosher?

[ask-jumblr]

Que is mostly back to normal. I’m still a bit overstretched in my off-tumblr life, but really want people to have this space as a resource for Pesach/covid-19 questions that can really benefit from crowd-sourcing (e.g. recipes, strategies).

In further opening the que, there are some posts on difficult topics coming up in the next week. Let’s be respectful to one another, and listen to the guidelines I’ve provided for responding. I’m keeping an eye on things, but it’s super helpful (always, but especially now) if complaints can include a link to the relevant post to save me a little time as well as the confusion of guessing which post or reblog you’re referrencing.