Miami Boys Choir: Succos with Yumi Lowy

Read some interesting points by A Jewish Music Insider on this upcoming concert.

Selichos: The Right Time

There is little question that selichos is best said after Chatzos  (midnight). Many have the custom to say it right after chatzos on the first night of selichos before Rosh Hashanah. There is however a practice for some shuls 

(you know who you are) to daven selichos at 9 or 10 PM and the question becomes is this permissible? According to Rav Ovadia you are basically wasting your time. According to Rav Moshe his view is a bit more lenient and perhaps this is where the minhag comes from. The Shulchan Oruch clearly states it's not ais rotzon and that is the main issue. Read more about this by clicking here.

iTunes: Looking for Jewish Music in All the Wrong Places?

Evidently iTunes thinks that Jewish music is best categorized as "Christian and Gospel Music". Try searching for some of your favorite hasidic singers and that is the category you may very well find them under. Apple has yet to answer as to why this is. Developing.......

New Maccabeats Video: Book of Good Life

Just in time for Rosh Hashanah: Maccabeats feature their latest video "Book of Good Life".This video because of the content is a more serious straight up music video but the end pays homage to their  Chanukah video with some cute ideas. It's certainly enjoyable and is a solid production.

 

Want to Keep Kosher? There is an App for That!

The Chicago Tribune has the scoop on a new app from the CRC for android phones. The point of the app is to assist users in keeping kosher dietary laws.

"Apps are part of the community," said Rabbi Dovid Cohen, the council's administrative coordinator. "We realize this is how people are getting their information and want to provide that service."

The app offers access to an extensive database of kosher product information which will help the consumers determine if a particular product is in fact kosher. For example does sugar need kosher certification? Click on foods and then scroll down to sugar and when you click you discover that white, brown and confectionery sugars do not require certification to be kosher. 

Although the Iphone version was available last year this is the first app for the android which will allow greater access to this important information to more users. They are constantly expanding their database to include more items. One thing I did notice they need to add are cereals. 

Trader Joe's Moves To Houston but Where?

There have been talks about Trader Joe's moving to Houston and the latest information is that they are planning to move into the historic landmark  of the Albama theater on Shepperd Dr.. This is certainly exciting for many of the Jewish population in Houston as they offer many kosher food items, not to mention the best quality non-dairy chocolate chips. Although Houston has many competing stores from Whole Foods,their product offering is a bit different and the TJ's prices tend to be lower. Yet another reason for Jews to move to the great state of Texas and more importantly....Houston!

Rosh Hashanah: Rock Anthem

Check out this video from Aish.com. Very impressive dance moves on this video.

Yehuda Glantz: He Wants Your Help

Yehuda Glantz without question is very unusual and talented musician. If you are not familiar with his work you click here to read more about him ( use the biography page). He is currently working on releasing his next album entitled "Jerusalem My Life, Chai Vekayam". He is currently asking for assistance from the public and his fans to help raise money to cover the expense of production. Although this idea of using the web to assist in getting funds may not be that groundbreaking I couldn't help but be entertained by what your contributions will get you. Simply click on his site and scroll down to the gift list to see what he has in store: 

 Pledge $1,000 or more Dedicate a note in a song” – Official signed, numbered & beautifully designed limited edition certificate that you have bought and/or dedicated a note in a song to your special person + All previous rewards (his previous cd's music etc) 

Pledge $3,000 or more Get an extra special "Thank You" with your name (or a name of your choice) in the liner notes‪ of the album and on Yehuda's website + an invitation to a special evening in Yehuda's studito + All previous rewards 

Pledge $5,000 or more Receive a special and intimate concert in your house for an occasion of your choice + All previous rewards

I have to say this is a first for a religious Jewish music album that I have seen.

Yougurtland is it Kosher?

There are many people in Houston who would frequent Yogurtland locations with the understanding that many flavors are under KSA supervision. They would simply find out which flavors were supervised and only buy those labeled kosher. After contacting the KSA directly it was discovered that unless one could actually see the boxes of the shipment for that week, the KSA was not sure that in fact what you were eating was kosher.Currently the Yogurtland locations will not accommodate in providing proof of those shipments as they throw those boxes out. Talks with the HKA have yet to bear fruit and local Rabbi's may end up sending notices to this effect.

Succos Alert: Lulav Shortage

Due to the rapid decline in Egypt and Israeli relations there will most likely not be any imports from Egypt for Lulavim. Egypt being the main supplier of palm will surely cause a lulav shortage and increase prices as well. Be prepared  and act accordingly! Read the article here.

Anovim like you never heard it!

For your listening pleasure: a great audio on a 5/4 version of Anovim with Ramabam on Keys and John Tendy on Sax. Awesome!

New Bidding Website

People are always on the lookout for an alternative to bidding websites such as Ebay. Well one that you may enjoy is DealFun.com. The one difference at Dealfun.com is that you purchase credits which you then use to place a bid on a product. Shipping is always free on DealFun.com and the website sports a variety of products i.e. Ipads, Ipods, ps3, cameras, Giftcards, LED TV's, watches , jewelry, Toys etc.. DealFun.com also  offers a buy now option so if you don't win the bid, you can still purchase the item with the credits you purchased. Unlike some other sites the customer service is fantastic, prompt and courteous and there are no weekly or monthly winning caps. There are also beginner auctions that allow you to polish your bidding skills. They also have a win guarantee: don't win within 24 hrs all the bid are rest. The Bottom Line: check out DealFun.com for you next purchase. For a gift or perhaps just for yourself, it's a great way to get very cool stuff at a really cool price .Let us know what you think and if you bought something, what was it? Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Yemenite Shofar: What Else Do You Need?

If you buy one of these:


   


You probably need one of these too:

Nochi Krohn: New Release Banai

It’s here! Nochi Krohn’s long awaited follow up to the critically acclaimed “Ananim” is now in stores. The Nochi Krohn Band is a group of very talented musicians and singers, who collaborate to make great positive music. Banai is a robust album filled with life and raw emotion. ALL the songs and arrangements are very musical and diverse. Five years of recording and experiences makes Banai a truly wonderful unique blend of sound and feeling. This album is sure to connect with you in more than just an entertaining way. Special guest, R’ Yosef Karduner joins the Nochi Krohn Band to sing the title track Banai.

You can pick up this very real Jewish music album by clicking here