jewishfringe

Monday, June 05, 2006

We're Making Aliyah

No not to Israel, but to word press. so rest your aggregator, change your bookmarks. we're now at jewishfringe.com. Its like moving from West Rogers Park to Lincolnwood. Or to Lakeview.

And of course it wouldn't be Jewish unless we fed you, so don't forget to change your RSS feed. he he. Its now at http://feeds.feedburner.com/jewishfringeblog

Okay, we'll see you at the new place.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Corned Beef And Cabbage - The Right Way

Any truth to this? I'm not sure but its funny that we don't have a holiday for eating corned beef. Then again, who would want one? Its the sort of everyday pleasure that I love about our culture... Then again, on my budget, and at kosher meat prices, its not much of one...

"Growing
up Irish in Chicago affords one many things - an unusually high alcohol
tolerance; anIdn't appreciation for music that includes a bagpipe,
pennywhistle and a bodhran; and finally a well-cooked corned beef and
cabbage.

Now it's no secret to the Irish among us that corned beef and
cabbage is as an Americanized dish as a burger and fries, but somehow
it just doesn't seem like the high holiday without them. While it's
true that its origins come from our Irish ancestors who sailed over
here from the ol' sod, that's only because it served as a somewhat
acceptable substitute for the Irish bacon many ate at home. And that's
only because they learned about it from their Jewish friends from the
neighborhood in New York City in the late 1800s." Tug of the tzitzit to Chicagoist.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Site updates...

Hey friends. Thanks to the many people who apparently read this blog. I found out over Purim that there's a large number of readers, unbeknownst to me. Thanks for reading. Over the next week or so, I'm probably going to be migrating the whole shebang over to wordpress, and perhaps finally, at long last, inviting some new folks to join the blog team and turn readership into a more active community.

I \appreciate your patience and invite your participation as we take care of bidness. If you're reading this by feed, our feed will be changing, and I'll post it as soon as its up and running. In the meantime, we've got a running start on the new site and it can be checked by viewing jewshfringe.com in your broswer.

If you're interested in being part of the blog team and contributing a post or more a month, please drop me a line at info@jewishfringe.com

Shabbat Shalom!

Adam

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Purim Shtick for Sushan Purim

Great Purim Shtick from Jewschool for all y'all living in walled cities....

For the uninitiated, a kapote is the long black slik coat worn by Hasidic men. Nice photo retouch on Mr. Hoffman. He's thinking of calling this, "En Kalter Dom."

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Shushan Shabbot

Happy Purim everybody!
ShaBot 6000: Shushan Shabot

Jew/Hindu Fusion

No, its not the Skokie Thanksgiving Football classic. the work of visual artist Siona Benjamin, whose Jewish roots are in the Bene Israel community of India, is the subject of a dance presentation put on by Genesis at the Crossroads. Benjamin's artwork explores Jewish identity in the world of the Indian subcontinent through traditional Hindi-style illustrations. The results in an interesting blending of the two cultures. Anyways, the event is part of GATC's "Peace It Together Festival." Benjamin collaborated with Ishrat Hoque (Rakhi), a dancer and choreographer from Bangladesh, and Pranita Jain, the artistic director of Chicago's Kalapriya Dance Company to create this piece that brings charachters from Siona's paintings to the stage. Its choreographed to Bollywood music, so who wouldn't want to check it out? Presented with sponsorship from Spertus.

Saturday, March 11 from 8–9:30 pm

at Film Row Cinema

1104 S. Wabash, 8th floor

$20 for adults | $10 for students and seniors

Even Sh'Siyah release party

Young Israel of West Rogers Park Monthly Melave Malka
Local faves Even Sh'Siyah celebrate the release of their third album, Wake UP/Hisoreri.
March 11, 2006 @ 8.30pm
$10, 2706 W. Touhy in the "Raj."

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Matisyahu impact: Birthright, Birthpangs, Backlash?

The once self-styled Hasidic Reggae Superstar is self styled no more. With hundreds of thousands of albums sold, Matisyahu has toured the country at least four times now, has been featued in every major music and press outlet around including Rolling Stone and Spin, and has a video that is heavily requested on TRL and other video programs. He;s been on every late night show, including the Conan OBiren show (shown above with thanks to Life of Rubin). In short, he's a star. Among the Top 10 names in pop music right now. His music and image have drawn a HUGE fan base and have undoubtedly drawn heavily on a young Jewish audience, much of which is secular.

As his new album, Youth, drops, its time for that question, is it good for the Jews? How could it not be? Birthright Israel vets love him. Young Jewish kids everywhere are seeing their heritage in a whole new light. They have a new sense of Jewish pride and want to be Matisyahu when they grow up. "Mom, can I go to Chabad on Friday night? PLEEEASE!?" If a Reform kid from White Plains can do it, why not them? So what if he might be a messhichist? Some of my best friends believe in the Messiah. If he could actually get his legions of fans to keep Shabbes, maybe we'd actually see him riding that donkey. Mordechai Ben David, eat your heart out. Fudge from Milwaukee probes the question more deeply.

There are particular questions about the impact on Jewish music. Will Matisyahu open the door for more Jewish artists to gain mainstream fans, or even draw secular Jewish fans to look into Jewish music? Does he suck the air out of the room for other Jewish performers and suffocate the Jewish music market, or will he grow it. I've heard from many performers complaining about diminished gigs since group sales to his shows have skyrocketed. Will his sound inspire imitators or move existing acts in a certain direction artistically? Will we finally see long-lacked institutional investment in Jewish artistry to capitalize on the trend? The about to be released study by Ari Kelman and Stephen Cohen could lend credence to those advocating for it. Jury's out on all these things. Send me your thoughts.

As Matisyahu's hit parade continues, even amidst major TV and Print coverage, a small but growing number of voices are starting to doubt the hype, asking whether he is a mediocre talent with a great gimmick or an authentic oddity with a meaningful message. Recent writeups in the NY Times and the Boston Globe lean to the former. But as some question the root of his meteoric rise- the music, the message or the industry machine- fans no doubt will continue to buy albums and flock to shows. They are the final arbiters, and for now, they say otherwise. I had some mixed initial feedback from attendees at last weekend's Riviera show, and if you have 2 cents, your opinion on any of these topics is welcome.

Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Jews Quit Blago's Hate Commission

Last Thursday, Lonnie Nasatir (Ex. Dir. of Midwest Anti-Defamation League) and Richard Hirschaut (Ex. Dir. of Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center) resigned the Gov's Discrimination and Hate Crimes Commission after comments by the Nation of Islam's Louis Farrakhan last weekend. The dustup is due to the failure of one of the panels members to repudiate the Minister's comments blaming "Hollywood Jews" for "promoting lesbianism, homosexuality" and Zionists for pushing President Bush into war. The panel member, Sister Claudette Marie Muhammad Johnson, is the Nation of Islam's Minister of Protocol.. So, the question really is, how did this person get onto the commission in the first place? And why won't Blago get out in front of it rather than run over by it? Johnson has repeatedly refused to denounce her leaders comments, today trotting out the bizarre excuse, "Some of my family members are Jewish." Which makes it all the more rediculous... Next, Blago named Skokie State Rep Lou Lang, also active in the Jewish community, to the commission to replace Nasatir. Lang quit the following day amid furor from constituents and members of the Jewish community. Another member of the 27 member panel, Howard Kaplan, who headed it under Governor George Ryan and presently heads the Cook County Hate Crime Prosecution Council, also resigned Friday. With Blago's popularity sliding and a primary on the Horizon, Democratic rival and former City Alderman Ed Eisendrath is licking his chops...

Saturday, December 03, 2005

So THAT's why 'da Pope wore a Kippah...

The Pope was Jewish, says historian:

Yaakov Wise, an Orthodox historian/genealogist has found that Karol Josez Wojtyla (That's his former Popeness to you) might have had maternal Jewish roots from Biala-Bielsko, a shtetl near near Krakow. Mom may have converted, it seems, and the Jewish surnames in his matrilineal lineage include Kaczorowski (Katz), Scholz (Schultz) and Rybicka (Ryback).

Its circumstantial at this point, but as the article points out, it would explain a lot about the Pope's unusual attitude toward his Jewish brethren and why he went into hiding went Nazi's invaded Poland in WWII. As a half-Jew by birth, he would have been sent to the death camps..

Friday, December 02, 2005

The destiny of American Jewish life?

Sue Fishkoff gives a sneak peak at whjat will be a crucial Bienniel for the Conservative movement next week for JTA NEWS: "the destiny of American Jewish life"

Keruv, intermarrieds and the JTS Chancellorship are the big topics. The first two seem to be stop-loss measures concerning conversion of halachic non-Jews in Conservative families. That, in the parlance of Pentagon talk, is fighting the last war. For two generations, intermarrieds have either left Jewish life or moved to the Reform movement. Okay, concede the point, find a halachic way to address it and move on, that's emblamatic of the movement. But it doesn't address the larger issue.

“What the movement is struggling to do is set a public position for the 21st century,” says R. Harold Kushner in the interview. The former is putting a bandage on a old fracture. What the movement now needs is a face lift and some counseling. The theology is sound, but what's needed is something new- a Big Tent approach that focuses on Pluralism, for example.

With R. Ismar Schorch's retirement, the aging of the leadership and the shrinking of the movement's relative numbers from 43% to 33% of the national Jewish population, these are heady times indeed and action need be taken to bring the new generation to the forefront before atrophy begins.

Selection of the Seminary's leadership could determine the destiny of the movement, and with a still large third of US indentifying Jews affiliated with it, the destiny of American Jewry. Its interesting to see that the UJ's R. Shevit Artson, among others, is considered a top choice. I've heard him speak and I liked what I heard. He's speaking at Bnai Tikvah in Deerfield in the coming months, I think.

I'm interested in if at the Bienniel there will be any discussion of the trend of post-denominational, pan/non-institutional NuJus as it relates the to future of the movement. Because whoever the new guy is, he's going to need an army of young Conservative Jews to reinvigorate the USCJ to rival growth by URJ, OU and Chabad brethren. What could be better for the Jews? Given that many of its youngest, best and brightest now look beyond the movement for the energy they once found within it, the USCJ and JTS' new chancellor will face some challenges ahead.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

That's RABBI Biatch to you...

I couldn't help myself. This Rabbi has the fuunniest name in Shul business. But that's not why I'm linking him. Okay, maybe it is, but so what? It's a chance to check out this this Portland native, who's got an interesting, progressive pedigree that suits his present pulpit in Madison, the Berkeley of the Midwest. Take that, Biatch!

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

The next 50 Shekel. Ugh.

I credit this guy for wanting to explore his heritage through the rap music he loves. He clearly cares about his heritage and was moved by his AEPi and Birthright experiences. Thing is, he's embarrassing, a misogynist and plain old not good. Then there's his choice of mentors. It makes me shiver:

"I first spoke to 50 (shekel) when I wanted to book him for a Hillel fundraiser at school. We've just been spieling ever since. He's my mentor, I am his protege.""

In case you don't know, 50 Shekel was a shticky "Jewish Rapper" who recently announced his acceptance of Yoshke. I vomit just thinking of it. Tug of the tzitzis: Jewsweek.

Monday, November 28, 2005

Before YIDcore, there was...

another Jewish punk band out of LA called Gefilte *uck. I'd never heard of them before, and in some ways I'm glad. They're not as good as Yidcore, but it doesn't seem that they cared, and that's really punk. Don't worry Bram, you've got nothing to worry about- they broke up over a decade ago. There are 5 free mp3's on the site for your listening "pleasure." As bandleader Howard Hallis says on the site, "Shalom and *uck off!"

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

PICKLES!

People who know me well know I love pickles. I know you do to. I can sit at the Bagel with a cup of coffee and a try of pickles and I'm a happy man. Seriously. I like almost any kind, appreciating each variety for its own merits. I even make my own spicy ones. World Jewish Digest has a nice article on Pickles. Their history, some recipes... mmmm...

Matisyawn?

“I was underwhelmed.” “Unimpressive.” “Dissappointing.” “Didn’t live up to the hype.” “Phoning it in.” The long hyped Chicago club debut of the Hasidic Reggae star met with mixed results. These were five unsolicited comments I got following the show the other night, from folks at ASBI, AES and on the street. I know others thought it was amazing. Ya can't please everyone, but its worth noting that two days later Matisyahu cancelled a show citing vocal fatigue, which would explain some things.

I personally thought it was fine, not an inspiring performance per se, not the best show I'd seen at Metro, definitely above par. Some of the pitch problems were less noticeable than what I’ve heard from previous shows, but honestly not mindblowing. The hype was great, the show was sold out, and most of the attendees clearly people loved the music. But there were certainly more than a few people who thought the show didn't live up to the hype.

I could care less about hype. Hype is good, hype sells, you don't need to believe hype, you just have to hear it and even the most jaded will decide for themselves, but even in this light, hype is effective. Even if Matisyahu had zero talent, the successful hype would sell tickets and albums. Thankfully he does, but its not clear that that was why everyone came to this show. Either way we should all have his mazel...

Indo-Jew Bowl

Skokie, that great home of Jewish bubbes and zadyes, Sikhs and Hindus… Huh? For 5 years now on Thanksgiving weekend, former Jewish and Indian students, all friends from Niles North High School, have brought their best to the gridiron to battle it out in the annual Indo-Jew Bowl. Its a pretty good spirited cross-cultural exchange. They even print their own jerseys. I can hear the color commentary now... "Patel scrambles, looks downfield, pumps and- oooh- he's sacked by Rosenberg" Heedoosh member Danny Engelman apparently is on the Jew team... Tug of the tzitzis to Gapers Block.

Israeli Knesset Disbands

First Shimon Peres is deafted in his Labor party primary by Amir Peretz, a union offical and relative political newcomer. Then Ariel Sharon leaves his Likud party to form a new one. Huh? Then Knesset is dissolved. Now Peres may join Sharon. Confused yet? Welcome to Israeli politics, where a state the size of New Jersey has nearly as many political parties as it does Jews.
To make things more interesting, Hizbollah thinks Israel is distracted and rains rockets on the Northern front. A lone 18 year IDF draftee prevented kidnappings as part of a bigger border incursion, killing 4 terroists singlehandedly.

Estimates are that Sharon's new National Responsibility Party, a centrist one, will get roughly 30 seats and could set up a government with a 70 seat coalition, leaving Likud with just 20 or so seats. Wondering what Sharon was up to all along? Wondering where the pain of Gaza withdrawl was leading? Right to where everyone thought. Eyal Arad, a Sharon strategist proclaimed today that "'Land for peace concept has failed." Now its Security for Statehood.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

Latke Hamentashen DEBATE!

In case you hadn’t heard, tonight is U of Chicago Hillel’s annual Latke Hamentashen debate. High-larious cultural and culinary hi-jinks. It is the 59th annual, the first, oldest and best. Info is here. Coverage is everywhere, but also here and a taste from last year here

Monday, November 21, 2005

Dina Elenbogen’s “Apples of the Earth,"

Evanston based poet and Illinois Artist has released a new book of Jewish poetry. Its her first collection but she’s been printed in numerous magazines and journal. I think she's great. Read the story here. Tug of the Tzitzis by chicagojewishnews.com

Thursday, November 17, 2005

GAGA.

Jewish Week’s Gary Rosenblatt reviews last week’s General Assembly in Toronto. Jewschool points out the counter-conference and growing voice of discontent among the marginalized left and millennials here. Read the offical recaps here.

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Jews. In. Space.

Remember that hilarious moment at the end of History of the World Part I? Well, I started watching Joss Wheadon’s space-western serial, Firefly a couple weeks ago. My brother lent me the dvds and I was hooked. It takes place 500 years from now after Humans leave Earth behind for a new solar system and slug it out in a big civil war. Point of interest? In one of the last episodes, a minor charachter, a space station postal worker, is wearing a kippah. Not just a costume piece, but clearly a knit kippah srugah. They even say so in the episode commentary. Reminds me of those frontier yids like Starr in Deadwood. 500 years after the destruction of Earth, and we're still wandering... Space Jews. I love it. Had to share.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Fiddler they aint.

Atlanta Jewish Life write up of Balkan Beat Box and Rabbinical School Dropouts by yours truly.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Beth Emet Blog

Evan Canel and his Evanston based group of 20-30 somethings have a blog. Check it out here.

Monday, September 19, 2005

HOT! SABRA! AGENTS!

Has anyone else noticed that the tv show NCIS has added a very attractive Mossad agent to its cast?

Monday, September 12, 2005

The Seventy Faces of Blue Fringe

World Jewish Digest has published my review of Blue Fringe's new album. "The Seventy Faces of Blue Fringe"

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Federation lost $4MM to hedge fund.

When bad things happen in our Jewish community, we tend to clam up. It used to be that we were afraid of a Shanda fer de goim. Now its more generally a case of spin control. No news of it in the local Jewish press, We found out about this story via NPR. But $4 Million is a lot of money. Federation is suing the fund’s owner, who is nowhere to be found.

Friday, May 06, 2005

JAP's and Yom HaShoah

Like Most Jews, I lost family in the Shoah, mine at Babi Yar and in Pinsk. I had the moving experience helping transcribe the Pinsk Ghetto Census taken by the German Ensatzgruppen before its 17,000 inhabitants, mostly women, children and elderly (the nearly 11,000 Jewish men 11-60 were taken and killed before the ghetto was established) were murdered in 1942. I normally try to read the names of my relative at the annual Lakeview community commemoration but I couldn’t make it this year.

I instead caught a PBS special on Chiune and Yukiko Sugihara. Sugihara was the Japanese Schindler, a Righteous Gentile who as “Japanese Consul to the Independent State of Lithuania” until 1940, issued thousands of transit visas to Polish and Lithuanian Jews in Kaunas, thus helping them to get to Japan and Shanghai, supposedly on their way to Curacao, which required no entry visa and was thus a logical “destination” for Jewish refugees.

There’ve been a few books and movies made on this subject, including Shanghai Ghetto, and there’s a park in Israel named for Sugihara. The entire Mir Yeshiva was by Sugihara and nearly 50,000 Jews living today owe their lives to him, yet he is relatively unknown. The entire Mir Yeshiva was by Sugihara. He attended a Hanukah celebration with 11 year old Solly Ganor in Kauna, where he heard about the atrocities in Poland from a refugee staying with the Ganor family. Sugihara eventually defied his government and issued a few thousand transit visas. He likely would have written more, but as the sole member of the consulate, he was the only person who could write the difficult Japanese characters.

It’s a story that tells an interesting and relatively unknown chapter in the Shoah, a story of hope for mankind, and one which also highlights the relatively unknown wartime Jewish communities of Harbin China, Kobe Japan and Shanghai.

Monday, April 25, 2005

Eminematzah

Hilarious holiday wishes keep coming, this time from Smooth-E, the Jewish Eminem-esque alter ego of comedian (aka Eric Schwartz) via jibjab. This one is called, quite plainly, Matzah. Tug at the tiztizs by Ben.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

JewishFringe radio