Hello once again dear friends,

This is the 3rd issue of our newsletter, and it is now time to get down to the serious business of selecting the final name for our publication. Over the past two issues, several readers have submitted their suggestions for consideration, and it seemed only fair to me, that I list them in this opening column and ask you the readers to vote on your choice of name. After all, I keep hocking everyone with the idea that this is YOUR newsletter, so who am I to single-handedly decide on the permanent name? Not to mention of course, the fact that I do not wish to be held totally responsible for this decision just in case there are some of you out there who might not approve of the selected name for the publication. I live with enough guilt already, so who needs more? Right? Of course right!!!

So without further ado, here are the names from which all of you may choose your favorite. Please, only 1 vote per reader. Check over the list carefully, and make sure the selection you vote for, is the name you are prepared to have your publication known by in all of cyberspace. This is truly an awesome responsibility. Before you vote, say the name out loud, then silently in your head. As you say the word, roll in around your tongue a bit and see how it feels. We want this name to bring us naches, so we must not be hasty. Right? Nu, again, of course right!!!!

So…here we go.

Gezuntheit - Mazel Tov - Zeit Gezunt - Oy! Oy! Oy! - The Gantseh Megillah - Jews Reviews Newsletter - Nachas - Did We Happen To Mensch'en - Jewish Jottings - Yiddish Yarns.

There were several readers who submitted the name “Yiddishkeit” which I agree would serve beautifully as the name of our newsletter. However, several months ago I was contacted by a gentleman who maintains a site on the Web that already uses that name. Although, there is no way he could insist I refrain from using it for our purposes, he asked me very nicely if I would consider using a different name. In the spirit of good will, I decided to comply with his request.

One other point. The list consists of 10 suggestions. In all honesty I received many more than this number, but rather than present all of you with a distractingly long list, I decided to whittle it down to what I considered to be the most popular 10 suggestions. Check it out and be sure to vote. I will announce the winner by special email to everyone on the subscribers list prior to the publication of the next issue of the newsletter.

I came across two fascinating articles that had originally been published in Wired Magazine. They present varying viewpoints on how the Internet culture has affected two different sects of Hassidic Jews. After reading both pieces I decided to share them with you. It would be terrific if you would post your thoughts on these articles in our Forum.

Speaking of the Forum, I’m delighted to see that it is being used by some of our readers. This is start so let’s see if we can get a good discussion going. Please feel free to use the Forum as your personal interactive area of communication. It’s a great way for us to get to know each other on a more personal basis.

‘Til next time,
My love to all of you,
Michael D. Fein
Editor