Resume
EDUCATION
Oberlin College, 1983
B.A., Creative Writing
San Jose State University, 1992
M.A., Instructional Technology (focus on interface design)
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, 1986
EXPERIENCE
President, Blum Interactive Media, Ltd, 1996-present
Blum Interactive Media specializes in writing and multimedia content development. Our focus is on interviewing interesting people and telling their stories, for print, video and audio. Read our blog here.
Established in 1996, Blum Interactive Media began by helping companies build and market interactive multimedia (CD-ROM) titles. Blum Interactive Media provided content development, media editing and market research.
Blum Interactive Media is also the publisher of iAccomplish, an app for the iPhone and iPad that helps users understand where they spend their time during the day, and is based on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), available this December in the Apple app store. In addition, we developed Bloggerce, a free web tool that allowed bloggers to quickly turn selected posts into eBooks; and The Streets of Jerusalem, a prototype for 3D map-based video advertising in the Holy City
Writer, Shavei Israel, 2009-present
Shavei Israel is a non-profit organization that assists “lost” and “hidden” Jewish communities around the world. We write articles about individuals who have been helped by Shavei Israel, consult on social media, publish a monthly newsletter, and produce video profiles and “viral” videos. We also manage the Shavei.org website. Recent profile articles include Daniela Malec, a “Hidden Jew” from Poland and Dr. Aaron Abraham from Mumbai, India.
Writer, Israel21c, 2005-present
Cover hi-tech for Israel21, an online publication presenting “Israel beyond the conflict.” Recent articles include a review of top ten gadgets from Israel and a look at new self healing software from IBM Israel. For some articles, write a related second version for publication by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Writer and Analyst at AIM Group, 2004-present
Work as an analyst, blogger and editor covering the newspaper industry, classified advertising, interactive media and social networking for the Advanced Interactive Media Group, publishers of Classified Intelligence Report. Written hundreds of articles profiling media publishers across the world, as well as special reports on real estate, automotive classified advertising and Craigslist. Sample articles include a look at how much money The New York Times would save if it dropped print and went all digital and nine tips for alternative business models for newspapers.
Writer, Bar Ilan University, 2010-present
Write articles for the annual Bar Ilan University Today magazine, focusing was on scientists at the institution. Sample articles have looked at research into a new methodology for diagnosing ADHD; development of new methods for fighting the aging process; and a profile of Oren Harmon, the author of “The Price of Altruism,” named one of the top 100 science books of 2011 by The New York Times. Also wrote the brochure for the Faculty of Law’s exchange student program.
Writer, Jerusalem College of Technology, 2011-present
Write and edit the annual JCT Perspective Magazine, which focuses on interviews with scientists, as well as updates on campus activities. Also work with the president of JCT on internal and external communications material. Sample articles include an interview with a professor attempting to synthesize the theory of relativity with quantum mechanics; a profile of one of the leading researchers in Israel working with nano-optics; and a genetic approach towards addressing post-partum depression.
Writer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, 2010-present
Write the quarterly Teva Global IT newsletter for internal IT publication. The articles are technical in nature but always start with one-on-one interviews. Examples include the automation of a Teva production facility and the back end integration of a major European pharma company acquired by Teva in 2010.
Book Editor, 2010-present
Edited several books, including “Faith Unravels” by Daniel Greyber (the story of a rabbi’s crisis of faith after a friend dies); “Marrying the Y-Divide by Aryeh Pamensky (a marriage counseling manual); and “The Bell Tower” by Walter Blum (a fictional work about a young man’s journey through radio and love in the 1950s).
Blogger, Israelity, 2009-present
Post twice-weekly articles about life in Israel with a focus on innovation and fresh takes on local news items. Recent articles include a look at a unique Israeli wine made from pomegranates and how technology affects the brain (and how the Jewish holidays can help).
Blogger, This Normal Life, 2002-present
Running for over nine years now, This Normal Life is one of the veterans of the Israeli blogging scene. It is syndicated across several blog platforms and to regional newspapers in the U.S., as well as via social media including Facebook, FriendFeed, Twitter and others. This Normal Life presents slices of “normal” Israeli life – recent articles include a subversive approach to marriage in Israel and a report on the tragic death of a local Jerusalem teenager.
Author, “The Shiputz Book: the First English Language Guide to Surviving a Home Renovation in Israel, 2009-present
In final stages of production of this self-published book, which helps readers steer clear of the nightmares of home renovation in a strange land. Publication focus is on digital delivery, in particular for the Kindle and iPad platforms.
Writer, Jewish and Israel publications, 2005-present
Regularly contribute articles to The Jerusalem Post as well as other Israeli and Jewish publications such as The Jerusalem Report, Haaretz and Hadassah Magazine. Recent articles include a uniquely Israeli experience at the movies, a trip to the Jelly Belly Factory in California, and a “back stage” look at the business of Jacob’s Ladder, Israel’s leading folk music festival.
Producer and Host, “Brainwaves” on Radio Free Nachlaot, 2011-present
Produce and host a two-hour weekly music program on Radio Free Nachlaot that presents eclectic, indie, pop, rock and more. Previously produced Indiescrete, an independent/alternative music podcast, which presented and promoted exclusively music from independent and small label bands.
Writer, Gift of Life, 2011
Interviewed recipients and donors of bone marrow transplants for this non-profit organization’s blog.
Editor, Shaffer Enterprises, 2009-2010
Edited a 500-page curriculum to teach Hebrew to English speakers. The project also included recording and editing 150 audio snippets for the dialogues contained in the curriculum.
Vice President Marketing, Comverse, 2001-2004
As a VP of Marketing for telecommunications provider Comverse, helped craft branding and positioning; worked with PR and advertising functions; wrote marketing collateral; spoke at industry conferences around the world; gave corporate presentations to analysts; served as the company’s liaison to the Mobile Entertainment Forum; and managed the company’s public-facing website and corporate Intranet. Also wrote and directed an interactive multimedia software simulation that demonstrated a new product strategy and was tested with focus groups in Europe, the U.K. and the U.S.
Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Jerusalem Global Ventures, 2000
Helped evaluate hi-tech companies for investment for a leading venture capital firm.
Founder and CEO, Onago, 2000
Founded startup building an application enabling on-demand group creation for mobile devices using WAP. Presented before many VCs in Israel, Europe and U.S. before market crashed.
Founder and CEO, Neta4, 1997-1999
Founded Neta4, a startup which developed a personalized web publishing platform. The company raised over $3 million and grew to a staff of 25 in Jerusalem, New York and San Francisco. Position involved full range of entrepreneurial skills, including conceptualization; fund raising; negotiations; working with legal, HR (recruitment) and advertising; product definition and management; presentation at industry events; frequent overseas travel to conferences; and interfacing with investors and board of directors.
Author, Interactive Media: Essentials for Success, Ziff-Davis Press, 1996
Wrote popular consumer paperback on interactive multimedia (CD-ROM) conceptualization, design and product management. Published by Ziff-Davis Press as part of the “Essentials for Success” series.
Producer, Encyclopedia of Judaica, 1996
Managed production of the CD-ROM version of this classic print publication for Judaica Multimedia.
Senior Producer, SuperStudio, 1994-1995
SuperStudio developed award winning edutainment and infotainment multimedia CD-ROM titles. Position involved conceptualization and project management; working with video and audio; flowcharting; budgeting; storyboarding and scriptwriting; and generating new business overseas. Primary title: “Explorers of the New World.”
Producer, Mindscape (formerly The Software Toolworks), 1992-1994
Produced multimedia CD-ROM titles in education, infotainment, edutainment and games for top 5 multimedia publisher. Specific titles included “How Multimedia Computers Work” and “How Your Body Works” (in cooperation with Ziff Davis Press), “The Adventures of Nikko,” Grolier’s “Interactive Encyclopedia,” “Oceans Below,” and others. Conceived and sold “How Your Body Works” internally before moving to Israel. Interfaced with marketing, advertising and PR functions. Provided regular updates to senior management.
Instructor, Interactive Multimedia, San Francisco State University, 1991-1994 and Herzeliya Interdisciplinary Center’s Digital Media Studies Program, 1996
Taught interactive multimedia at both universities.
International President, International Interactive Communications Society, 1991-1992
Served as International President for the largest professional association of the multimedia industry in 1992. In 1991, was President of the Bay Area Chapter.
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