Introducing New Jewish Music and Entertainment Blog

I'd like to introducing you all to my new upcoming blog: Jewish Music Insider. Feel free to add it to your blogroll. This new blog will feature the latest in upcoming Jewish music releases and reviews as well as interviews with key Jewish music figures. It will also include kosher restaurant reviews and polls on a variety of Jewish music and entertainment questions. Stay tuned....

Obama: Reaching Out To Jewish Voters

With the nomination looming within reach, Obama is looking to connect with the Jewish community. Words have been spreading quickly that he is a Muslim and that he is looking to appease Hamas and is not Pro-Israel ( not to mention the Pastor Wright mess). In an attempt to squash his anti-Israel image, Obama has been making trips out to Jewish communities and his latest was a large gathering in Boca Raton, FL. Obama was aksed to vouch for the Pro-Israel stance he so strongly claims he believes. Obama has been trying to shake his pro -hamas image as well stating that his request to deal with Hamas and his intent on talks with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is only if they renounce terrorism. Dennis Ross of the Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece on "how to have successful negotiations". He believes that talking to terrorist nations does not give them legitimacy they so desperately seek and is not a source of appeasement but rather a starting point. It seems to be a big question as to whether liberal Jews will vote for Obama should he win the nominations. My view is that short of him saying something ridiculously anti-semitic, Jews will continue to vote Democrat as they always have and certainly Obama knows how to talk a good game. As the article points out regarding Obama's meeting in FL:"The Jewish community here is made up largely of older people - not to suggest they're gullible, but maybe they don't delve into the fine points," said Michael Gora, a lawyer active in county politics who said he had been neutral in the primaries but will support Obama as the nominee.

Emerging Jewish Communities

Well it's almost here and I can't wait to go check it out. If you would like to sign up click here.

Jewish Nascar Driver: There Can Be Only One...

Nascar can also have some Jewish pride with it's sole Jewish driver from NJ: Jon Denning. He discusses with Ynet news what it's like being the only Jew in this dangerous sport. The article points out that although Jon may not consider himself "religious" he utters the traveling prayer before every race: "May it be Your will, Lord, My G-d and G-d of my ancestors, to lead me, to direct my steps, and to support me in peace. Lead me in life, tranquil and serene, until I arrive at where I am going." Jon is very proud of his Jewish heritage and hopefully will inspire others to do the same.

Trained by Mossad: Looking to Blow Up Synagogues

What evil lurks in the hearts of men? Ivan Ivanov is a Jew living in Brooklyn who police discovered was the proud owner of a pipe bomb. He has also confessed to spraying swastikas throughout the neighborhood and on synagogues. The question remains as to what was to be the target of his recently found arsenal (eight pipe bombs, including one stuffed in a foam football, handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, two silencers, a crossbow, gunpowder and machines to help build the bombs). Police are saying synogaoues may have been that target. The suspect claimed to have been trained by the mossad.

Judge John Wilson ordered Ivanov held on $300,000 bond or $150,000 cash bail. Wilson ordered him to surrender his passport if he makes bail.

Keep this man behind bars were he belongs for a very long time....

Jewish Music Video: Aryeh Kunstler Live

Here is the latest video of Aryeh Kunstler Live at the JMC. You can read my review here. Enjoy!

YBC 2 Video Preview !

Sameach Music now has a sneak preview for the new video release YBC 2 Live.

New Jewish Dating Assistance Website

It's been a while since I've seen a website I thought to add to my list of "Links Worth Knowing".I had been visiting SerandEZ as I often do and noticed this little ad saying "Mikomos "and needless to say I was a bit intrigued. I clicked it and there on the screen is a huge database of date places that are in a wikpedia format and allow you to edit and add places of your own (which I am guilty of doing). If you know of some great dating venues you'd like to share I suggest strongly that you enter them into this fantastic new site. Help spread the word as this site will no doubt be a great help to those dating as well as others who are looking for a nice fun place to hang.

Introducing the Cancun Rebbe....

Even in the sun soaked beaches of Cancun there is a Rabbi that can be found. That Rabbi is Mendel Druk who is available to assist with challah or perhaps a minyan. Chron.com has an interesting article about this Rabbi from Detroit who now finds himself meeting Jews from all over who are in pursuit of relaxation (even on Rosh Hashanah?). Jewishcancun.com can give you more information on what this new Rabbi can offer.

Miri Ben-Ari and Hip Hop

Miri Ben-Ari is one of the most famous violinist in the music business right now. She's a Grammy award winning musician whose fame has risen quickly among the hip hop crowd. What many people don't know is this Israeli violinist was playing Jewish Orthodox weddings for many years. . She's currently involved in a project, "Gedenk" and she seems interested in bringing the Holocaust to the forefront so that it is not forgotten and I applaud her for this effort. The problem in my humble opinion is I find it to be somewhat of a sacrilege to have a music video dedicated to the holocaust that features immodestly clad dancers. The two just don't jive. One might begin to wonder how sincere she is in her efforts to keep that flame alive or is it just a PR stunt....

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.

Sheriff Raids Kosher Pizza Restaurant In LI

In an unusual scene for a kosher establishment: a sheriff was seen cutting open a lock to the basement of Hunkis Kosher Pizza store in the town of West Hempstead, LI last week. People looked on as they confiscated all the stores supplies etc..The understanding is that the owner(s) had not paid their rent for some time and the store was being closed forcefully. This is quiet sad considering this is one of the only kosher establishment in this town of about 1000 orthodox families. The word is that the old owner will be taking over the store. He currently owns the other hunkis in Plainview.

Free Jewish Music Download: Yitzy Spinner

Well it's finally here a free music download sampler of Yitzy Spinner's upcoming release "You and I" via courtesy of Sameach Music. Yitzy Spinner's website is now fully functional and looking good.
Enjoy!

Swatstikas at Columbia University

Imagine being a faculty member of the prestigious college, Columbia University. Coming in to work you find a big swastika spray-painted on your door. The faculty member was Elizabeth Midlarsky, a clinical psychologist. She says this was the third she was targeted for a hate crime perhaps because of her work on the holocaust. Police are still investigating this antisemitic crime but aren't giving any further details. We have to stand up to these cowards and demand that they be made an example of.

McCain:Trying to Score with Jewish Voters

Presidential hopeful Senator McCain, threw his hat into the Israeli peace process while speaking at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. He stated that any peace process must be handled step-by-step. He smartly pointed out:“I’m not sure frankly how you, how you deal with Hamas. If they’re dedicated to your extinction it’s hard to sit down and negotiate with somebody that says we’re going to destroy you." It's good to know that on some level McCain seems to grasp some of the big hurdles the peace process poses. Although he scored points with the group, he didn't quite measure up to the tough talking Rudy Guiliani:“They respect (McCain) and they appreciate him, but I have to imagine, it’s not, it’s not like love in the room in the same way that it would be for Guiliani” said Ami Eden, a journalist with a Jewish wire service.

NYT: Introduces West Hempstead, Long Island

The NYT has a nice article on one of the fastest growing Jewish communities in Long Island: West Hempstead. Don't confuse it with New Hempstead, NY as it it often is, as it too is growing at a rapid clip. The article discusses the new library which recently opened up and the revitalization that is going on in this part of Long Island. The part of the article which I think hit the nail right on the head was:“It is a humble community,” said Mr. Slomnicki, 27, a teacher. “There is a wholesomeness, a community feeling" and affordability was “a priority,” but he also emphasized what had truly won everyone over: a lack of “pretension, which is good, especially considering it is Long Island.” I've been all over New York and I was always impressed by West Hempstead in that snobbery does not seem to exist there at all. Although the article does not really discuss the Kosher eateries of the town, (which are not many) West Hempstead is home to a favorite Chinese restaurant of many: Wing Wan. It remains to be seen how if any new kosher establishments will pop up in the future as it's proximity to the 5 towns makes it difficult. West Hempstead has also recently seen growth in learning programs with a Yeshivah Gedolah for college students as well as professionals who would like to set aside time to learn.

Almost Thrown Off a Flight For Keeping Kosher?

An Orthodox family was threatened to be thrown off a United Airlines flight from Denver to Columbus. The problem? Their Kosher meal. Some passengers complained about the smell of their fish meal after which a flight attendant threatened to have them evacuated from the premises. The father Robert Blum, is calling the incident a case of discrimination and the Airline subsequently issued an apology. No news of any pending lawsuit.

Jewish Schools Need More Security in the UK

As antisemitism increases in the UK and Europe, Jewish schools in the Britain have been worried about the increasing risk to their security. The government has agreed to allow these schools to apply for aid to update their security measures. With these new funds available, schools will be able to install security fencing, CCTV and swipe-card entry systems. It's nice to hear the government is taking action but sad that it's become a necessity.

$25,000 Reward: Lakewood Rabbi Beaten

You may have heard about the recent horrific incident in Lakewood, NJ. Witnesses had seen a black man approach Rabbi Mordechai Moskowitz and beat him senseless with an aluminum bat.The ADL in conjunction with other Orthodox Jewish leaders are offering a $25,000 reward for anyone who can bring this criminal to justice.

NYT: Syrian Empire: SY's

The NYT has an interesting article that discusses both the wealth and culture of the Syrian Jewish community. Part of the article speaks of the clash between ashkenazim and the Syrian community.I was unaware that they were once described as Arabische Yidden — Arab Jews. It also talks about the edict in 1935 that disallowed the Syrians to marry converts. I was always surprised to learn that although wealthy, the Persian sefardic community does not really mingle with the Syrians.