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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
Nov. 22, 2004
/9 Kislev, 5765
…Oh, CDs I will play: It's the Chanukah wrap-up
By Paul Wieder
For those keeping track, this is the sixth annual installment of the Chanukah wrap-up feature. Is it a tradition yet?
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Sure, socks are useful and a scarf is nice, but to really warm up someone's Chanukah, nothing beats music. Here are eight nights' worth of new CDs to enjoy after the obligatory round of "Moaz Tzur":
The Makkabees: Volume Aleph
Judah used a hammer, but these Makkabees use guitars and drums to bang heads with. To this loud-and-proud (make that very loud) band, "heavy metal" doesn't mean a brass menorah; it means the kind of music that treats eardrums like anvils. The nine scorching tracks cover the Jewish canon, favoring the songs that repeat one phrase over and over. Spinal Tap, you can play the rest of the year.
Black Hattitude: R.E.L.I.G.I.O.N.
Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of this, one of the first and best Jewish rap CDs ever. Two yeshiva bochors humorously bemoan various aspects of Jewish life: the scramble to get ready for Shabbes (Sabbath), the pressures of a "Shidduch Date," and, more stridently, the implacability of anti-Semitism. Through it all, they manage to maintain their senses of perspective and humor, urging optimism and camaraderie as solutions to these issues. The music itself is fun, skillful, and in a word, righteous.
Ari Ben Moses Band: Burning Bush
In a recent appearance for Kfar at Nevin's, Ben Moses led his band through a rambunctious set starting in reggae, then branching into rock, funk, and soul. Reggae is very fond of religious and social messages; Ben Moses sticks to the Torah as a reference source, but rather than limiting his ability to comment on issues of war, materialism, and modern anxiety, it makes his commentary more universal. Now that Ben Moses is based in Chicago, there is no excuse to miss one of his incendiary concerts.
Reuben Hoch and the Chassidic Jazz Project: Live at the Broward Center
The timeless and tireless Buddy Rich was a Jewish jazz drummer, and so is Reuben Hoch... except in Hoch's case, the music is Jewish, too. This is full-on jazz, full of lengthy improvisations on sax, piano, guitar, and of course drums… but also violins. Only a jazz band (or maybe the Grateful Dead) could play "Adon Olam" for 13 minutes, but with Hoch's ensemble the time flies, as the musicians and audience are having so much fun.
Mark Bloom: Brooklyn Roots
Jazz of a smoother, more Bobby-Short nature is featured here. Bloom, posing as a Jewish Mark Russell, focuses as the title implies on nostalgia. Titles include "Blame it on My Youth,' and "Golden Times." One song covers most of "Kosher Cuisine," but the elixir called an "Egg Cream" earns its own Anderson-Sisters-like tune. Bloom's piano playing is nimble, his lyrics alternately clever and touching, and his voice is engaging.
Gershon Veroba: Impressions
Like Schlock Rock (whose Lenny Solomon co-wrote some of the parodies), Veroba continues the Mickey Katz and Alan Sherman song-parody tradition for the Weird Al age, covering songs from the 1950s to today. Michael Jackson's "Black or White" becomes the Zionist "Blue and White," while the Backstreet Boys' "That's the Way It Is" is now "That's What Praying is." Jewish songwriters Neil Diamond and Paul Simon get similar treatment. The mood is fun, and the songs are silly while still promoting Shabbes, Torah study, and derech Eretz (respect).
Various Artists: The World is a Narrow Bridge
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A constellation of Jewish musical stars join on this latest edition of Craig Taubman's "Celebrate" series, this time with a collection of "songs that celebrate hope and healing." Debbie Friedman, who spearheaded the Jewish healing movement, is naturally here… as are Neshama Carlebach, Shirona, Elli Kranzler, Beth Schafer, Chicago favorite Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi, and Taubman himself. Some mainstream acts, like Dana Mase, folksinger Sally Fingerett, and actor Mare Winingham appear as well. The songs are as distinct as their performers, uniform only in their tenderness and desire to uplift. The CD is accompanied by a book of 50 essays on healing by such luminaries as Rodger Kamenetz, Theodore Bikel, David Wolpe, Gerda Weissman Klein, and Kirk Douglas a perfect gift for those who may need a little more light this Chanukah.
Yes, Sendak himself reads his spry, wry tale, a Jewish take on the evergreen Peter and the Wolf; the beloved author scratchily but lovingly narrates Peter's marshalling of the barnyard in an attack on the vicious, voracious Chazer, bane of the shtetl. The way Peter introduced children to the orchestra, Pincus introduces them to klezmer, having each instrument play the part of an animal, the intrepid Pincus, or his irascible Zeide. The remainder of the disk is given to klezmer renditions of Brahms, Mahler, and Rimsky-Korsakov… so the listeners get a dose of classical music anyway.
So off with the earmuffs, on with the headphones… and best wishes for a warm, musical Chanukah.
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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.
© 2004, Paul Wieder
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