Tweet Your Prayers @TheKotel

Push to add drama – Israeli version

Alon — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:45:31 +0000

Hello all,

A few weeks ago a campaign for a cable channel went viral online and got quite a few views on YouTube. It’s called “Push to add drama” and if you haven’t seen it already, it’s an enjoyable watch. Here it is:

A couple of clever young Israelis added their take on the drama button to YouTube. It’s short and to the point. After watching the original video, have a look at this one:

Saying thank you when a thank you is due

Alon — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:59:15 +0000

Hello all,

As you may suspect, handling tens of thousands of Twitter followers (past and present) who wish to send their prayers to the Western-Wall is a very demanding task. In order for someone to be able to send his or her prayer I (@TheKotel on Twitter) must follow that person. I also need to send instructions regarding how to send a prayer, and finally – I need to export those prayers from Twitter in order to have them printed and placed in the Wall. There is no feasible way to do it all manually. There are not enough hours in the day.

Fortunately for me, a friend stepped up to help. I did not have the funds to pay a developer to write some software to automate the process, and he stepped up and offered his services for free. A couple of years ago he wrote a software to help me manage this service, and took a lot of burden off me. Since then he also fixed and updated the software a few times to cope with changing needs. All in all, the number of man hours he put into this software would otherwise cost me a few thousand dollars for sure, and he never asked for anything in return. He just liked to help out. I couldn’t offer him more than a hug and a thank you.

Well, recently this kind man released an iPhone app. If you have been following me in the past three years, you know that I never promote any paid services, especially those unrelated to prayer. This time, I’m going to make an exception. He did not ask for it, but he surely deserves it.

His iPhone app is a very cute, innovative and fun game. It’s called DuckTwist and it is loads of fun. The handling of the game is unlike any other app out there, and I enjoy playing it when I have access to an iPhone. If you have an iPhone, an iPod touch or an iPad, please check out DuckTwist here (link).

DuckTwist

Thank you, and lots of love from the Holy Land!

@TheKotel Android app – what’s next?

Northern Israel Photos

Alon — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:02:57 +0000

I recently took a trip up north and took a few photos I’d like to share. I added them below for you to enjoy!

What you’re seeing is the Betzet Stream, Achziv beach, Rosh Hanikra and the grottoes, Goren park and the Monfort Castle.

[View with PicLens]

Tour the Kotel Plaza with Google Street View!

Alon — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 07:34:41 +0000

Google’s street view cars hit the streets of Israel a couple of months ago, carefully indexing the Holy Land. Apparently, they somehow found their way to the Western-Wall Plaza too! Have a look:

View Larger Map

The Israeli flag at the Kotel Plaza, at half mast for Yom…

Alon — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:00:10 +0000

The Israeli flag at the Kotel Plaza, at half mast for Yom HaShoah

The Israeli flag at the Kotel Plaza, at half mast for Yom…

Alon — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:00:46 +0000

The Israeli flag at the Kotel Plaza, at half mast for Yom HaShoah

The Auschwitz Album – video by @YadVashem

Alon — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 08:00:12 +0000

The Auschwitz Album – video by @YadVashem

Alon — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:00:35 +0000

The Auschwitz Album – video by @YadVashem

Israeli Air Force Above Auschwitz – you don’t have to…

Alon — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:08 +0000

Israeli Air Force Above Auschwitz – you don’t have to understand the Hebrew to be moved to tears.

2012 Holocaust Remembrance Day Message of UN Secretary-General…

Alon — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:00:05 +0000

2012 Holocaust Remembrance Day Message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Children