Next, a division of the Birthright Israel Foundation, has launched its 2014 High Holy Days interactive map, which enables alumni of the agency’s free trips to Israel to “stay connected.”
Logging on to the map at www.bit.ly/next-map lets Birthright alumni and other young adults get a quick look at nearby events. The site uses a Google map, and location pins are dropped wherever there is a Rosh Hashanah dinner, a service, a learning opportunity or whatever other category is searched.
For example, in the Bay Area, a search for “service” reveals eights pins in San Francisco, four in the East Bay and nine in the South Bay/Peninsula area. The San Francisco synagogues designated by pins on the map are Congregations Sha’ar Zahav, Adath Israel, Emanu-El, Sherith Israel, Or Shalom, The Kitchen and Beth Sholom.
Also, users can register to receive resources and stipends to host Rosh Hashanah meals, Yom Kippur pre-fast dinners and break-the-fast meals. Users can also use filters in searches, finding, for example, musical services or LGBT-focused events.
The map also links to social media, so users can recruit friends to join them at events they’re considering attending.
Rosh Hashanah begins on Wednesday, Sept. 24, Yom Kippur on Oct. 3. For more information about Birthright Israel’s Next program, visit www.birthrightisrael.com/AfterTheTrip. The map can be found at www.bit.ly/next-map.