More Chanukah Music Videos from Shloimy Bluth and Shmuly Braun!

This Chanukah (aka Hanukkah) we have seen a lot of great music videos.

Here are some others you may enjoy.

The talented Shmuly Braun and Michael Nedata bring you a parody:


Tell Matisyahu That We Won!



Shloimy Bluth brings us his own creation "Chanukah"

Six13 Chanukah Music Video:Watch Me (Spin / Drey-Drey)

Six13 released their newest Chanukah music video that is sure to get your attention:

Watch Me (Spin / Drey-Drey)-2015 Chanukah Jam.

Maccabeats to release Chanukkah Album. Free Track Sample!

The Maccabeats hit the big time with their release of Candelight. The video went viral and literally made them overnight sensations. Next week the maccabeats will be releasing a Chanukkah album which features 7 new tracks one of which is here for your listening pleasure: Haneirot Hallalu.

A Capella Hanukkah Video Wars: You Decide

As you may be aware, the hit song this Hanukkah is that of the A capella group the Maccabeats. Their song Candlelight  (click here to buy it) which is based on Mike Tompkins' A cappella version of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", has over 2.7 million hits on YouTube. One of the members is actually a Houstonian, Noey Jacobson. These kids have gone from a moderately successful A capella group in a nice market, to full blown rock stars overnight! The phones are ringing off the hook with requests to perform in Italy and other far off places I'm sure. They have been  written up on major blogs, papers and  have had interviews on many TV stations non stop. This kind of publicity by religious Jewish performers is very unusual. With the exception of perhaps someone like Matisyahu, who also put forth his own Hanukkah music video entitled "miracle". Matisyahu's video has yet to get a 1/2 a million hits. Another talented A Capella group, Six13 released their Hanukkah video in conjunction with NCSY entitled "I Light It". This video was based on several songs ("Baby" by Justin Bieber "Heartless" by Kanye West "I like it" by Enrique Iglesias) which got about 164k hits. This video did get some attention online they however, did not get the same kind publicity as the Maccabeats did. The reasons behind why one A capella  group did better than the other can be analyzed to death. Then of course you have copy cats. A group out of Israel, The Fountainheads are trying to cash in on the Hanukkah video craze, put out this music video based on the black eyed peas song "I gotta feeling" . After listening for a few moments you"ll underdstand why it has a mere 10k hits ( they even try to steal concepts from the Maccabeats video). What are your thoughts?

They Wished Them A Happy Hanukkah but Got a Beat Down

This is one disturbing story from the NY Subway: AP reports that a group of four Jewish riders were approached by a group of ten who extended holiday greetings. When the Jews replied in response to have a "Happy Hanukkah" the 8 men and 2 women proceeded to assault them and yell racial slurs. The police thankfully caught the guilty party and arrested all 10 of them on several charges, including third-degree assault and menacing and second-degree riot and harassment. They pleaded not guilty. The interesting part is that one of the men Joseph Jirovec, 19, pleaded guilty last year to attempted robbery as a hate crime and was awaiting sentencing, prosecutors said. Joseph's lawyer however is claiming that since his client is in fact Jewish, he would not have attacked simply based on race. I guess he never heard of a self-hating Jew. Update: This story made the front cover of the NY Post. Evidently a Muslim from Bangladesh, Hassan Askari assisted in helping the Jewish group as they got beaten badly. Hassan is truly a hero and should be an example to all.

Haviel Havalim #144: Latkes Edition

Be sure to check out Jack's Random thoughts of Haveil Havalim #144- Too Many Latkes Edition. It's sure to fill you up.

Enviromentally Sound Menorah Here!

In efforts to save the earth, I propose we make our menorahs not from silver or metal. That will deplete our natural resources and manufacturing them will cause toxic fumes to kill the ozone. Please make your menorah from old shoes! Thanks! Happy Chanukah

Please Light One Less Candle: Enviromentalists!

Some Israeli environmentalists would like you to express your concern for the enviroment by lighting one less candle this Hanukkah. What's next? Eat one less matzah for peasach or one less cup of wine? How about only lighting one candle every shabbos? Rabbi Darren Kleinberg tried to diffuse the situation by suggesting ,``Why don't we ask people that while they light their Hannukah candles, they should turn off the lights in their house," he said. ``That seems like an equally powerful statement that ensures the same goal without undermining the ritual."Is there a reason why Israeli environmentalists look for ways to infringe upon Jewish practices? Perhaps we could help the environment by not being religious at all?Honestly, if you want to help the environment, start boycotting China. They are looking to be the emission leader very shortly. Let's also not forget how divorce contributes greatly to global warming. Perhaps they will outlaw divorce since it eats up to much of our resources.

Bring Out Those Doughnuts!Chanukkah Recipes..

In honor of Chanukkah enjoy these sufganiyot recipes: Doughnut #1, Doughnut #2, Doughnut #3,Doughnut #4, Doughnut #5.

Chanukkah Presents: Some Ideas

Now that Chanukah ( or is it Hanukkah?) is upon us this evening, I will give you last minute shoppers some ideas of gifts you can purchase for your loved ones. One gift I researched well is a digital camera. After days of looking at different reviews I settled on the Cannon Powershot A630. I was able to snag it for $195.00 at the time and it seems that the demand has brought this model up in price. Another cool gift is a digital picture frame. Don't just buy any old digital frame as many don't resize your picture to fit the frame and this can become a problem especially for the less-than tech savy ( not to mention many have poor picture quality). I would like to suggest the Phillips digital photo frame. I bought a refurb and it has excellent brightness and picture quality. Looking for something less expensive?Try a silverplated menorah or a newly released CD. What are your favorite chanukah presents?

Chanukah Is Almost Here: Latke Recipes

Chanukkah is almost here so get the oil, potatoes and the eggs and get ready for latke mania! Have some fun with this latke recipe courtesy of Boston.com.

Here Comes the Dreaded Holiday Music...

With turkey season right around the corner some Jewish commuters are certainly dreading the upcoming x mas music coming around the bend. For some you can't turn the radio dial without hearing Rudolph the red nosed reindeer etc.. Well just a reminder to those XM radio folks that you have Radio Hanukkah (XM 108)- Available December 4 at 12 midnight ET through December 12 Features eight days of Hanukkah music and celebration of Jewish culture, including exclusive live performances; specials focused on contemporary and traditional Jewish music, film, children's programming and more; and nightly broadcasts of the traditional Hanukkah candlelight blessings. Listeners will hear songs by Neil Sedaka, The Klezmatics, and Craig Taubman, among many others.

Coming This Hanukkah: Latke Flavored Soda?

I kid you not folks.... Jones Soda Co., the off beat funky beverage manufacturer is releasing holiday themed, limited-edition packs of sodas: Jelly Doughnut, Apple Sauce, Chocolate Coins and Latkes sodas will be available to drink for eight nights of fun. Your Christian neighbors will not be left out, they can enjoy:Sugar Plum, Christmas Tree, Egg Nog and Christmas Ham. The Ham concept sounds a bit nauseating but will be kosher as well.