A sergeant on tour in Iraq wants to convert to Judaism. A bride-to-be in Beijing wants to study Judaism before coming to California. A sales manager in Chicago has been trying for years to learn more about his partner’s religion, but his work schedule did not permit attending classes at his nearby synagogue. A ranger at Bryce Canyon National Park, and his fiancée want to prepare for their Jewish wedding but the nearest synagogue is 2.5 hours away; the nearest Rabbi nearly five hours away. What are they to do? Call Rabbi Yitzhak Miller (www.RabbiYitzhakMiller.org), a South Bay resident who offers rabbinic services via the Internet. Yes, via the Internet. He's the Cyber Rabbi.
 
Rabbi Miller has demonstrated an exemplary ability to connect with unconnected, and disenfranchised Jews for 10 years in physical synagogues; he even won three consecutive national Jewish outreach awards for doing so. Now he has found a way to connect worldwide with Jews, and those seeking connection with Judaism. And It's no wonder, given that he's a Silicon Valley resident born, and bred (Palo Alto and Santa Cruz).
 
In a very Silicon Valley manner, Rabbi Miller uses telephone, email, and webcam services to offer viable, and effective live, personal, direct, relationship-based Rabbinic services in the 21st Century. “Nothing has changed about connecting with people. Direct interaction is always the key to success as a rabbi," he says. When asked about the uniqueness of his endeavor, Miller notes: “…Judaism has survived for over 3,000 years by adapting its methods while maintaining its message." And he definitely is adapting his methods to the changing times, and the changing needs of Jews around the world.
 
Rabbi Miller doesn't plan on stopping with just providing his own rabbinic services worldwide via the web, however. In addition to being the Cyber Rabbi, he plans on creating a virtual Jewish Community Center: www.CyberJudaism.org. How Silicon Valley is that?
 
Personally, I think this is a phenomenal idea. His Web 2.0 site will have rabbi's on call for questions, and counseling, social networking, stores, classes with top teachers, social action, charitable giving, youth groups, schmoozing, and even an online Jewish deli. And, get this, the site also will offer streaming, and recorded video of synagogue services. You can pick the best of the best rabbis, and attend their services or hear their sermons from the comfort of your home. Or, if you can't make it to a physical synagogue for services on Shabbat, you can still manage to "attend" no matter where you are.
 
Some might say that Rabbi Miller's www.CyberJudaism.org might compete with physical synagogue attendance. It's true that many synagogues are struggling today to keep their members in house, and to bring more in. Financially, many are struggling to keep their doors open, and their pulpits filled. They don't need competition. Rabbi Miller, however, says, "Physical synagogues have anchored Jewish life for centuries. I have no desire to compete with them—my work supports them, and supports those people they are unable to serve.”
 
Indeed, I think his website will actually support synagogues. With so many people who want to begin exploring Judaism, and don’t know where to start, who don't belong to a synagogue or don't have a synagogue in their area but would like to attend services, or who don't have access to a rabbi but would like to seek rabbinic advice, I think Rabbi Miller's idea offers a great way to invite them into the Jewish world they seek. Whenever they have the time or the desire, all they need do is click on their computer mouse, and the doors to the JCC will open. How cool is that? And from there, they can, if possible, seek out a physical synagogue.
 
Miller has already assembled a board of directors for www.CyberJudaism.com   and is in the process of looking for grants, and raising money to open the doors to his virtual JCC. It's being built as you read...If you want to help, check out the website now.