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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
Every Monday Matters: Listen, play, appreciate music
By
Matthew Emerzian and Kelly Bozza
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT)
Over 70 percent of schools are not able to maintain funding for the arts.
Schools with music programs, compared to schools without, have significantly higher graduation rates, 90.2 percent compared to 72.9 percent, and higher attendance rates, 93.3 percent compared to 84.9 percent.
Students with coursework in music appreciation score roughly 53 points higher in verbal and 40 points higher in math on the SAT than their non-arts peers.
Early musical training increases brain development in language, reasoning, math, science, memory, creativity, expression, and spatial intelligence.
Choral singers are nearly twice as likely to be involved in charity work — as both volunteers and donors — than the average person.
Every human culture uses music to preserve and pass on its ideas and ideals.
Music is not limited by age, gender, ethnicity or time.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
1. Listen to your favorite music and sing, dance, clap, jam on your air guitar, and enjoy it like no one is watching.
2. Go see or buy tickets for a live music performance.
3. Sign up for music lessons for yourself or your family.
4. If you already sing or play an instrument, do it today or offer to teach someone who wants to learn.
5. Donate unused instruments to a local school, church, or music education center.
6. Communicate with your school-district administrators or national legislators. Write a letter of appreciation for the hard work they do and request continued funding for the arts.
Music is fun, expressive, imaginative, beautiful, energizing, relaxing, interesting, and freeing. Through music, we preserve our cultural heritage, celebrate our faith with praise and worship, remember events and experiences from the past, come together with friends and family, and express our emotions. Music is the soundtrack of life.
YOU MATTER
Music has changed. Radio plays the same songs over and over again. Kids are no longer learning or playing music in schools. Lyrics of the chart-topping songs are, well, not the most uplifting, thought-provoking, or redeeming. And, unfortunately, the world now has TMZ, so we get to see and hear about all of the mishaps and blunders of some of our most popular music stars.
No, I am not grumpy about it. And although it might be a function of getting older, I think it is more than that. I am just thirsty for beautiful melodies, inspiring lyrics, and songs that move my soul, not just my hips. I also believe the world is thirsting for it … and needs it too. And recently, I got take a drink of what I have been craving. And it tasted great.
On a recent night, I was invited to the Chris Daughtry show in Hollywood. Most of the world knows Chris Daughtry. He placed 4th in "American Idol" in what many feel was a controversial decision. He's a rocker and his new album entitled "Leave This Town" was just released on two weeks ago and is topping the charts everywhere. And last night he was fantastic — amazing voice, great entertainer, and his audience loves him. I mean, really loves him. And although I really enjoyed him as well, it was the opening act that really moved me. Not because he was "better than Daughtry" (as that is not my intention), but it just spoke to me. As it also did to the hundreds of people I heard asking "Who is this guy? He is really good."
His name is David Hodges. And thanks to the Internet, I can offer a bit of his resume. David was one of the original members of the hit band "Evanescence." Upon leaving Evanescence, he has spent the past few years as a song-writer, writing songs for Chris Daughtry, David Archuleta, and Kelly Clarkson … just to name a few. In other words, he has had a pretty amazing music career for a kid from Arkansas, still in his 20's. But now it appears that he is taking his piano back on stage and is ready to "piano rock" the world.
In a word, I would say that his performance was "moving." The combination of his sweeping melodies and down-to-earth lyrics, coupled with his humble gestures between songs and the locked-up backing vocals of Steven McMorran, all took me away to a "this is why I love music so much" place. Before I knew it, I had spent an hour thinking: What is my life all about? Why am I here? How do I treat people? What do I believe in? Do I love enough? And, although this might sound heavy, I didn't experience it that way. Rather, I had a smile on my face the whole time, and I walked away uplifted with a "life is awesome" feeling inside. Deep inside.
I spent some time on David's Web site this morning and found a quote from him that pretty much summed up my experience last night. "I am drawn to art that doesn't downplay the everyday hardship of life. Only in really seeing that brokenness for what it is can we have a realistic sense of hope. There are real signs of truth and beauty in the midst of all the mess and madness, and I think that is what my songs speak to."
What a refreshing thing to hear from one of our up-and-coming music stars. There are signs of truth and beauty out there. We see them everyday … if we choose to. And, we matter in making sure there are more and more signs of them. Thank you David for making me believe in music and for doing what you do. You touch people's hearts, and I hope that your new album will be topping the charts in very short order. Music matters. Your music matters.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here.
Previously:
Create a back-to-school backpack
Your day
Thank a local law enforcement officer
Get involved with foster kids
Be neighborly
Donate blood and bone marrow
Protect yourself with Internet safety
Eat healthy
Learn CPR, the ABCs of life
Respect the disabled
Turn off your TV
Go exercise
Write a letter to a soldier
Thank a firefighter
Have fun with an elderly person
Traffic is overrated
Show your smile
Donate books
What matters most
Support Neighborhood Watch
© 2009, The Modesto Bee Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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