Jewish Wisdom Ball: A Jewish Alternative to the Magic 8 Ball
Created by Rami G.
The Jewish Wisdom Ball answers all of life's questions, often with a question. It's the world's most perfect Hanukkah gift. Why not?
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Update #5: If That's What You Want
over 8 years ago
– Tue, Sep 13, 2016 at 10:41:36 PM
Hi All,
I have a question for you. But first, did you know that the Jewish Wisdom Ball is already the most funded DC-based Jewish Kickstarter campaign of all time? It's true! Check it out:
I've gotten a few requests from people who ordered one Jewish Wisdom Ball to add a reward tier that provides one ball and one card. If you'd like to see that option added, leave a message and I'll see what I can do.
Also, thank you and welcome to all the new backers since the last update. We're north of 44% with a little over two weeks to go. The next week should be a fun one. I've done a few interviews with different publications and the articles should start to appear any day now. In fact, the first media placement appeared today, a short blog post written by little old me on a site for the local DC Jewish community:
With those articles will (hopefully) come more backers. I'll keep you posted as more coverage comes out. In the meantime, keeps those likes and shares coming. It's the best way to spread the word so that we hit the goal.
Best wishes,
-Rami
Update #4: Are You Crazy?
over 8 years ago
– Thu, Sep 08, 2016 at 03:33:50 PM
Hi All,
If the question above is if I'm crazy, then the answer a couple of nights ago would be yes. You may have seen our new video (and if you haven't, you should go watch it now on the main campaign page). That video has what's known as a "dolly shot," where the camera moves sideways across the ball. The way that shot was setup and shot may be enough to certify me as insane.
The basics of a dolly shot are a camera, a mount, and wheels. Mount the camera to the wheels and make it roll. In practice, it's not as simple. Getting a stable and smooth shot can be a challenge. So what produced the dolly shot in the video?
An iPhone, a bracket, and a Hello Kitty bus with a string attached.
Why a Hello Kitty bus? Because the phone didn't fit in the Little People airplane (obviously). In reality, the shape and size of a Hello Kitty bus is just about perfect to mount an iPhone and keep it mostly stable. Just start recording on the phone, pull the string, and viola!
Sure, the wheels needed a little WD-40. And sure, the shot is not as smooth as it would be on a dolly rig. But how many videos do you know that can claim Hello Kitty as the cinematographer?
This is also an opportunity for me to give credit to some of the assets used in the video.
So much of this project was done using open source and Creative Commons assets. The project wouldn't be where it is if not for the generosity of artists who make their creations available to everyone for nothing.
-Rami
Update #3: Fine, Already (A Video Update)
over 8 years ago
– Thu, Sep 08, 2016 at 10:56:48 AM
Hi All,
Time to admit a mistake. Kickstarter (and everyone else) insist that campaigns have a much higher rate of success if they include a video with the description. For one reason or another, the Jewish Wisdom Ball launched without a video. So fine, already. Today, that mistake has been corrected. You can see the video on the campaign homepage or if you're lazy, right here:
Check back tomorrow for another update with a behind the scenes look at the making of that video. Let's just say the "dolly shot" that tracks across the Jewish Wisdom Ball is more literal than you might think.
I'll be posting this video separately on Facebook on the Jewish Wisdom Ball page. If you like the video, head on over to the page and click Like on the post there so you can share it with all your friends.
-Rami
Update #2: You Tell Me, Einstein
over 8 years ago
– Tue, Sep 06, 2016 at 11:30:50 AM
Hi All,
We're nearly 25% of the way through the campaign with nearly 25% of funds raised. However, we're entering the period in Kickstarter campaigns known as "the trough" or "the valley." Projects usually see spikes in backers in the beginning and at the end. That low period in the middle is the toughest. It's the time to reach back out to people who thought the idea was great but who haven't gotten around to backing it yet. It is also a great time to share the campaign again via social media to capture those who might have missed it the first time around.
The Jewish Wisdom Ball answer explicated in this update is the classic non-answer: "You tell me, Einstein." This answer spits the question back in the face of the inquirer, simultaneously flattering them by insisting they already know the answer (the "you tell me" part) and berating them for being too thick to see it. The sarcastic Einstein reference is both a strong point of Jewish pride, cleaving to the 20th century's foremost genius, and a dig at the person asking by pointing out the obvious: they're no Einstein.
This is a stronger form of "I know the answer but I won't tell you," because it pushes the questioner to examine their question and themselves. This highly Jewish characteristic of self-examination is something that was prized by Einstein himself:
"The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
-Albert Einstein
Thank you again to those who have backed so far.
-Rami
Update #1: You Should Be So Lucky!
over 8 years ago
– Thu, Sep 01, 2016 at 09:06:45 AM
Hi All,
Q: How is the first day of a Kickstarter campaign just like the Jewish Wisdom Ball? A: They're both filled with joy, uncertainty, optimism, pessimism, and anxiety.
First, a great big thank you to all of you who backed the project so far. We're already about 15% of the way to the goal of $10,000. My deepest appreciation to the 30 people who liked the project enough or were related to me enough to make their pledge on day one.
Now that the campaign is up and running, please share it on Facebook or email to anyone and everyone who appreciates a good Jewish joke (and really, who doesn't?). We've got four more weeks to make this thing happen!
These updates are also a good chance to explain some of the answers that will appear in the Jewish Wisdom Ball. The first one is "you should be so lucky!" It's the perfect example of an answer that can be read either positively or negatively depending on tone and mood, like a good Yiddish curse that sounds like a blessing until you think about its meaning. For example: "You should have grandchildren named after you soon."
"You should be so lucky" can be taken as a blessing, wishing you all the luck in the world that your request is granted. Or maybe it's an admission that you'll need all the luck in the world to have a chance to get what you want, since the odds are terrible.
Right now, I'm going with the first meaning. If ever any of you should undertake an endeavor such as this, you should be so lucky to have the support of backers like mine.
