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A trio of computer-literate business
guys puts Jews on the 'Net.

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JULIE EDGAR STAFF WRITER

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1w1WWw- hree young entrepre-
neurs are about to
launch metro Detroit's
Jews into cyberspace.
CompuServe already
offers the "Israel Fo-
rum" that provides a wealth
of information on Israel and
allows users to chat with
each other. But brothers
Jeff and Jon Dwoskin and
Scott Segal say they may be
the first in the country to
create a World Wide Web
site on the Internet devoted
to exploring a local Jewish
community. A couple of
clicks of the mouse will open
the door to information
about holidays, classes,
agencies, businesses, tradi-
tions, and even Jewish
thinking on a given subject.
The Dwoskins and Mr.
Segal — partners in the Scott Segal, Jeff Dwoskin and Jon Dwoskin
Bloomfield Hills-based On-
line Marketing Company — have already cre- from here to Madagascar. They'd like to call
ated a bold graphic (a collage ofJon's snapshots it "Coffee Talk," if the name isn't already copy-
from a trip to Israel) to introduce online surfers righted by the people at "Saturday Night Live."
to the "Jewish Web," which they expect to be The possibilities for interaction, public and pri-
up and running by the end of the month.
vate, are limitless.
'We'll have information readily available
Rabbi Leonardo Bitran of Shaarey Zedek
about any topic in Judaism you want to know B'nai Israel thinks a bulletin board for the free
about. It'll make Judaism so much more fun. exchange of Jewish ideas is a "wonderful idea"
People will make themselves more knowl- because it will literally bring Judaism into peo-
edgeable more easily," said Jon Dwoskin.
ple's homes.
They plan to solicit Jewish organizations,
He'll be lecturing on the subject at the fifth
including synagogues and temples, for infor- annual "Tapestry: Weaving the Fabric of Jew-
mation to put on-line. And they'll charge in- ish Life" on Oct. 28 at Congregation Shaarey
dividuals or businesses that want to advertise Zedek.
at the site or sponsor an event, for example.
Rabbi Bitran said the Rabbinical Assembly
Aside from general and specific informa- in New York is on-line, offering sermons and
tion, like schedules of the Jewish Communi- general information on Jewish subjects. But
ty Center, the Jewish Web will also offer a he hadn't heard of anything as organized as
forum to rabbis who are inclined to share their the efforts of the Dwoskins and Mr. Segal.
views. Users can download the information,
"We feel people do not take Judaism home.
or, if they're inclined, respond to those views It'll be just a memory. They're thirsty for tra-
via e-mail.
dition rather than not interested. A modern
The trio is also tinkering with the idea of device would make it more relevant to them,"
a "chat room" where Jews can bounce ideas he said.
Online Marketing is offering nonprofit
off each other and meet other like-minded folk

groups like B'nai B'rith
Youth Organization free
space on the Jewish Web
and the Detroit Met-
roguide, their first busi-
ness venture.
"We obviously think
this is something to do
with the future, and so
many of our kids are on
the Internet," said
Arnold J. Weiner, execu-
tive director of Michigan
Region-BBYO. "If any-
body happens onto their
particular Web site and
looks up BBYO — and
there are a lot of people
in the community and
alumni — then they're
going to have it all there
for them, including pro-
gram dates. I don't see
why it isn't a good idea."
The Dwoskins, both
PHOTO BY BILL HANSEN
graduates of Eastern
Michigan University, and Mr. Segal, a Michi-
gan State grad, are gaining notoriety for their
Detroit Metroguide, the first comprehensive
online tour of cultural, business and political
goings-on in the metro area.
"The Metroguide is getting a lot of attention
because there's no such animal out there," said
Mr. Segal, 25.
Aside from advertisements and informa-
tion provided by metro businesses, the Met-
roguide includes tidbits on everything from
the Lottery to local sports teams to media out-
lets to state colleges to state government. Hop
on to read what Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer
has to say about protecting the city from van-
dalism on Devil's Night. Or to order pianist
David Syme's cassettes and CDs. Or to find
out what's happening at the Jewish Commu-
nity Center.
The Metroguide offers cyber-surfers a has-
sle-free bazaar, full of color, ideas and options.
The three entrepreneurs plan to add a place
for Greektown merchants eager for a new av-

WANDERING page 38

