From the Oh-not-another-weblog-awards department, I am proud to present the inaugural JIB Awards.
The word JIB, besides being an acronym for Jewish and Israeli blog, also represents the small triangular sail of a sailboat, as compared to the main sails. The jib’s role is to direct the wind into the main sail, just like a role of Jewish, Israeli, and pro-Israel bloggers is to direct world opinion in favor of Israel. And to really stretch the metaphor, the object of these awards is to direct new readers towards Jewish, Israeli, and pro-Israel blogs.
While weblog awards of this kind mean little in the grand scheme of things, they are a fun way to increase blog readership, and, in the case of the JIB Awards, promote Jewish, Israeli, and pro-Israel blogs.
Which leads to the next question: what are Jewish, Israeli, and pro-Israel blogs?
Jewish and Israeli blogs are simply those blogs written by Jewish and Israeli bloggers. Pro-Israel blogs are blogs that present Israel’s side of the conflict to the world, and can (and thankfully often do) include blogs written by non-Jewish bloggers.
Given the aim of these awards, blogs written by Jewish and Israeli bloggers, but which take an anti-Israel stand, are inelegible. For instance, it would be a travesty for Noam Chomsky to be nominated for these awards.
(A more extensive description of all of the rules will be posted at a later stage)
I want to keep these awards relatively simple. As a first step, I have come up with the following categories.
* Added per feedback received
Note that I have not divided the categories up along the lines of political orientation. The idea behind these awards is to promote inclusiveness, rather than fracticiousness. In addition, I have split diaspora and Israeli blogs, so as to include as many blogs as possible (which is consistent with the aim of these awards).
I welcome any suggestions as to any additional categories. Please make your suggestions in the comments.
The categories will be closed in the next day or two, after which I will post the rules, as well as take nominations for each category. Check back at this blog for updates.
(Thank you to David Bogner for his wise counsel as to the name of the awards, categories, and a whole lot more).
From the Oh-not-another-weblog-awards department, I am proud to present the inaugural JIB Awards.
