Sept. 5, 2008 Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: What does 'doing the right thing' entail? Caroline B. Glick: The master strategist Sept. 4, 2008 Ron Kampeas: Biden, Palin take lead in clash on Mideast issues Bruce Dancis: With humor as their weapon, the Three Stooges took on Hitler Sept. 3, 2008 Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg: Productive school years don't just happen The Kosher Gourmet by Linda Gassenheimer: Quick lamb stew serves up flavors of India Sept. 2, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Costly Advice Caroline B. Glick: Calling Israel's bluff JWisdom: Wandering in Wonder by Rabbi Mordechai Becher August 29, 2008 Rabbi Berel Wein: 20/20 sightlessness Caroline B. Glick: When history is not repeated JWisdom: Blessed or Cursed: It's Really Up to You by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky August 28, 2008 Steve Lipman: A Comeback for the 'Jewish Jordan' Jeffrey Weiss: Researcher reports 'intriguing' diabetes breakthrough August 27, 2008 Rabbi Zecharya Greenwald: Removing the perfectionist's mask The Kosher Gourmet by Emily Nunn: Summer harvest linguine JWisdom:: The Missing Link in Spiritual Life by Rabbi David Aaron August 26, 2008 Yaffa Ganz: Grandma gets lessons in staying cool Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: The Dems' 'soft' jihadist JWisdom:: Today: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Plague of indifference August 25, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q: A friend is bearing a silly grudge from a supposed wrong. What recourse do I have? Daniel Pipes: Barack Obama through Muslim Eyes JWisdom:: The knowledge you need to overcome your insecurities by Malka Schulman August 22, 2008 Rabbi Berel Wein: Life's essential ingredient Caroline B. Glick: Dominos anyone? JWisdom:: Actually, Do Sweat the Small Stuff! by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky August 21, 2008 Today in Biblical History by Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Popularization of Kabbalah: 20 Menachem-Av 1558 CE Jonathan Rosenblum: Lessons from the Beyond JWisdom: : The Olympian within is rooting for you -- yes, you! –- to go for the gold August 20, 2008 Jonathan Tobin: Misleading Platform Platitudes The Kosher Gourmet by Linda Gassenheimer: Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing JWisdom: The Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith: America's Defense of the Jews --- Until WWII by Rabbi Nosson Scherman August 19, 2008 Dennis Prager: If the Almighty doesn't exist Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Obama's Islamist problem has nothing to do with his upbringing JWisdom: Think your life is messed up? by Rabbi David Aaron August 18, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Business with Friends Diana West: Roars About Russia, Bare Whispers About Islam JWisdom: Relationship agony: The real cause by Malka Schulman August 15, 2008 Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: To love the Divine Caroline B. Glick: Georgia, Israel, and the nature of man JWisdom: The Truly Righteous Don't Demand Entitlements by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky August 14, 2008 Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Confessions of broken spirit Libby Lazewnik: The Numbers Game JWisdom: Six Questions You'll Be Asked in Heaven? - Uh - Let's Just Take One for Now! by Gavriel Aryeh Sanders August 13, 2008 Jonathan Tobin: Georgia should be on their minds The Kosher Gourmet by Linda Gassenheimer: Go Greek: Pair flavorful lamb kebabs with a hearty salad JWisdom: Human hybrids aren't science fiction by Rabbi David Aaron August 12, 2008 Rabbi Avi Shafran: Bless us Daniel Pipes: The West's Islamist Infiltrators JWisdom: From Sadness to Gladness: The Route from Tisha b'Av to Rosh Hashana by Rabbi Mordechai Becher August 11, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: A Jewish view on fair pricing Caroline B. Glick: Ignoring failure in Gaza JWisdom: 'Communication' Is Not The Answer! by Malka Schulman August 7, 2008 Rabbi David Gutterman: A Continuing Story With a Sustaining Goal Rabbi Berel Wein: Mourning and morning JWisdom: Yes, we are still in exile by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky August 6, 2008 David Ashenfelter: Government made military engineer's life a living hell because of his faith, Defense Department report documents Jonathan Tobin: Speak the Truth; Defeat the Lies JWisdom: Jewish Spirituality: Fusion or Confusion? by Rabbi David Aaron August 5, 2008 Chris Leppek: Church/state wall beginning to crumble? Paul Greenberg: Exit Olmert (no encore, please) JWisdom: Serenity: Make the commitment by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin (Read by Gavriel Sanders) August 4, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Am I taking advantage of another's psychological quirk? Andrew Silow-Carroll: A black and a Jew walk into the White House… JWisdom: The Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith: Edward R. Morrow visits the ‘living dead’ by Rabbi Nosson Scherman March 22, 2007 J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !) Oct. 29, 2003 Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review Dec. 9, 2003 /14 Kislev, 5764 Get the ribbons, it's the Chanukah wrap-up! By Paul Wieder Eight New Gift-Worthy Discs http://www.jewishworldreview.com | For those keeping track, this is the fifth annual installment of the Chanukah wrap-up feature. Is it a tradition yet? RABBI JOE BLACK: SABBATICAL This Albuquerque-based, guitar-slingin' man of the tallis-cloth sings originals and traditionals in a mix Jewish and American sounds. Taking some months off of his rabbinical duties — hence the title — to compose, he turns in one of his lightest-hearted sets, including "Valentine's Day is Not a Jewish Holiday" and the Baha Men parody "Who Led the Slaves Out?" He also covers Hammerstein's sardonic anti-bigotry tune "Carefully Taught" and the down-and-out chestnut "One Meatball." His originals are more heartfelt ruminations on childhood, family, and faith. Black is still a rabbi, after all. Still... a rabbi on the range? MISHPACHA: CELEBRATES Well, how about cantorials in the Carolinas? Two women singing and two men playing guitar became the musical family that is Mishpacha, after coming together to lead services in Raleigh, NC. In between a few Israeli favorites, they present many Chanukah traditionals in Hebrew, English, Yiddish and Ladino, plus newer songs by Debbie Friedman, Julie Silver, and eighteen. Especially fun is the Beatles satire… yes, the one about "Eight Days." The tone is light and airy, and the performances are by turns spirited and spiritual. CANTORS: A FAITH IN SONG Rarely does an album do so many things, and do them so well. This one introduces the listener to three of the finest tenors working in any genre today: Naftali Hertsik, Benzion Miller, and Alberto Mizrahi. And it provides a primer of the major vocal forms of Jewish music: prayer, folksong, and theater songs. And it covers Jewish music from America through Europe, into Russia and into Middle Eastern lands, in English, Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino languages. This live performance was recorded in the Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam with a full choir and orchestra. But the musicians never forget to the fulfill the "faith" part of the title along with the "song" element — this is holy music, all of it. RICHARD KAPLAN: LIFE OF THE WORLDS Cantorials of a very different sort fill this second album by the engaging Richard Kaplan. You may recognize the names of some of these songs from your prayerbook, but through Kaplan, they revisit their exotic past. Eighteen tracks explore Jewish spirituality, from its most ancient musical sources. Extensive notes delve into the origins of Jewish mysticism and how it found expression in music. Anyone seeking a deeper meaning in Jewish faith — or just some great globe-encompassing world music played on oud, tar, and kanun — is invited on these "Journeys in Jewish Sacred Music," as the collection is subtitled. TO ORDER ... OR SAMPLE THE AUDIO Cantors A Faith In Song Richard Kaplan: Life of the Worlds David Chevan: The Days of Awe Theodore Bikel`s Treasury of Yiddish Folk & Theatre Songs Paul Zim: Yiddish Mit Klezmer Click on title. Sales help fund JWR DAVID CHEVAN: THE DAYS OF AWE Chevan is a great jazz bassist, one of the few to lead an ensemble. His band, Afro-Semitic Experience, contains both black and Jewish players and performs jazz-ifed liturgy in both traditions. Yes, this is a High Holidays set, but the Kfar Jewish Arts Center is bringing Chevan to Chicago for Martin Luther King Day, and this disc provides a fascinating introduction. His music starts in several traditions and ends up inside your soul. The new CD features the unlikely but effective combination of bass, hand drums, piano, lap steel guitar… and the trumpet of Frank London. It is a mostly meditative affair, with some swing and a little sparkle. THEODORE BIKEL: TREASURY OF YIDDISH FOLK AND THEATER SONGS This is a re-release of music from very early in Bikel's storied career, from 1958-1964. No, he doesn't do anything from "Fiddler on the Roof," but he covers a tremendous amount of ground here, celebrating everything from brides to bagels. Many of the classics are offered, including "Lomir Alle Zingen," "Der Rebbe Elimelech," and "Dona Dona," rendered with Bikel's famed warmth. Much of the music is klezmer, but the rest ranges from the fireside to the coffeehouse, testifying to the versatility of the Yiddish tongue. There is also a good mix of party-time and pathos. PAUL ZIM: YIDDISH MIT KLEZMER For those who like it all-freylachs-all-the-time, here is this latest from the music machine known as Paul Zim. He has recorded dozens of albums of everything from cantorials to children's songs. Zim's big, happy voice can fill a room. Here, he marries nostalgic Yiddish with today's best recording technology. If you are planning a holiday party, this disc will ensure a can't-sit-still experience — it's musical confetti. MEL WALDOKS: MESHUGGA BEACH PARTY Want to warm up a Chanukah party, but feel the Beach Boys aren't quite the right boychicks? Pop in this slice of summer and heat it up in a hurry! The subtitle is "Sixteen Songs of the Chosen Surfers," and what's here is… Jewish surf music. Yes, you read that right: Jewish classics played Dick Dale-style. Start with an "Oh Hanukkah" that maybe should be called "Hawaii Five-Oh Hanukkah." By the way, his Halakahiki Productions, which released this disc, is not named for an Honolulu'd version of the word "halakhah," but is the Hawaiian word for "pineapple." Well, they are kosher… From the sands of the Sinai to the sands of San Diego, the wanderings of the Jews are recorded in our music. And now technology has made it portable for even more journeys. Have a warm, musical Chanukah. As the Jewish surfers say, Shaloha! Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. JWR contributor Paul Wieder is a public relations associate at the Jewish United Fund and a columnist for JUF News. Contact the author or the magazine by either clicking here, or calling (312) 444-2853. © 2003, Paul Wieder