Zoom Overview
TBDJ is using the Zoom platform to deliver many of our shiurim and classes. Zoom allows for interactive sessions, where participants can see the speaker (and one another), ask questions, and engage in discussion.
There are two very good (and short) video tutorials you can watch in order to become familiar with the tool:
TBDJ's Zoom Rooms
To make it easy to find and access our Zoom classes, we have created 3 Zoom Rooms. You'll see us referring to these rooms and their links in our announcements and reminders. You can bookmark these addresses.
"Zoom Daf Yomi"
Will be used for both Rabbi Rothschild's and Rabbi Bichinger's daily Daf Yomi shiur.
"Zoom Library"
Will be used for regularly scheduled shiurim, including:
- Lunch & Learn - Parsha Shiur
- Gemara shiur
- Parsha shiur
"Zoom Social Hall"
Will be used for programs, series, and special events.
We have several groups within the shul who are getting together on a regular schedule, using the 'Social Hall'. If you would like to use it for a social get-together with a specific group, please email tech@tbdj.org. We'd be happy to host it for you.
Accessing from a Phone using the Zoom App
First download and install the "Zoom Cloud Meetings" app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play Store (Android).
Clicking on a Zoom room link from your phone may automatically trigger or prompt for the download of this app.
Once installed, when you click on a Zoom room link, it will automatically open the App and connect you.
Accessing from a PC or MAC
First download and install the Zoom plug-in from http://zoom.us/download.
Clicking on a Zoom room link on your computer may automatically trigger the download and installation of this plug-in.
Once installed, when you click on a Zoom room link, it will automatically open Zoom and connect you.
Dialing in from Phone Line
Should you wish to join for audio only, without video, you can also do so by dialing in to the phone numbers listed for each room.
How Can I See Everyone on My Screen? (Gallery View)
Zoom's Gallery view lets you see thumbnail displays of all participants, in a grid pattern, which expands and contracts as participants join and leave the meeting. If someone has their own video feed turned off, you will not see them, but rather you may just see their name.
You can enable Gallery view by clicking "Gallery View" which will be in the top-right corner of the Zoom app screen.
To switch back to the Presenter view where you see the speaker in the main window, and other participants in smaller windows above, once again click on "Presenter View" in that same upper-right corner.
Important Tips - Audio, Video, MUTE, etc.
- Staying on MUTE will prevent others from hearing disruptive background noise wherever you may be. When you first join a room, your microphone may automatically be set to MUTE. If it is not, we suggest you MUTE yourself.
- In order to be heard by others, whether at the start of a session or at any point in the middle, you can toggle the mute on/off either by clicking on the MICROPHONE icon in your Zoom app.
- If on a PC/MAC, a good trick is to hold down the SPACEBAR while talking. Similar to a walkie-talkie, as you hold it down you'll be UNMUTED, and once you release it you'll be back on MUTE.
- Video - By default you will see the speaker's video, but your video feed will be turned off, meaning you see them but they will not see you on screen. If you wish to be seen by others, you can turn your video feed on, by clicking on the VIDEO CAMERA icon in your Zoom app.
- Bandwidth issues - Should you experience choppy audio and/or video, it may be due to bandwidth limitations. As more video feeds are included in the Zoom stream, you may experience this. Steps to talk in order to fix these issues include: 1) turning off your own video feed, 2) turning off others' video feeds. You will still be able to hear the speaker. If the first 2 suggestions don't work, dial-in via a phone line instead.
- The Daf Yomi meeting is set up so that the Rabbi's video will be enabled and you will see him, but participant video will be disabled and nobody will see you. If it is enabled, consider turning your video camera off. This is to conserve bandwidth and ensure that you can see and hear the content smoothly. Consider turning your video on only periodically, just so people can see you and smile at the sight... and then turn it back off :)
Support
Feel free to send your questions to support@tbdj.org and we'll do our best to assist you. Additionally, there are several 'TBDJ admins' who will be attending the various classes and shiurim, looking out for issues and assisting.