As many of you have noticed I haven’t posted anything in almost 6 weeks. Even before that my posting has been off and on for at least 6 months. There are many reasons for this. I have written this post and held it in draft at least 10 times. I’ve felt this for a while now, going back over a year, but I’ve never felt as strongly about it as I do today.

I started blogging in 2003. Which, in online years might as well be 50 years ago. I’ve had a good run, and I loved posting my thoughts. Sadly, (or maybe not so sadly …) over the last couple of years Facebook and Twitter have really taken over the apple of the online world’s eye.

In my own personal and humble opinion I think blogging as we all once knew it, is dead.

It’s not as easy to write openly and honestly what you feel about things any more. Back in the glory days of blogging people were so excited to see fresh and honest opinions they flocked to blogs. But today there are consequences for every word written and people will hound you and take you to task for your opinions.

Today – while there are many new Jewish music websites, with news, reviews and videos, none of them are really blogs. With respect to the people involved in these sites, they are just online magazines. They never say anything too strongly critical that they will get on the bad side of music insiders whom they rely on to get their news from.

There are many reasons why I’ve stopped and even though in past versions of this post I went into much more detail, I think I’ll just leave it at that.

The blog won’t be shut down, and I’m not saying I won’t pop up from time to time either here or on twitter/facebook, but for now, the ride is over.

You can still email me your thoughts on albums and I am happy to have email conversations with any readers that are interested in my private thoughts on current Jewish musical events. I can always be reached at  lifeofrubin@gmail.com

Hope you all remember to enjoy the music and keep it real.

Vote here!

So far I think this one is the best by a nice distance. He also looks very comfortable on camera. Pretty good job. Read his profile here.

A Jewish Star: Moshe Lehr from COLlive.com on Vimeo.

Doesn’t it make sense that instead of so many videos of singers at concerts and weddings there would be a healthy underground audio collection? (Like there is for Matisyahu and Piamenta on Archive.org)

Here is a pretty good quality track of Benny Friedman singing Taamu and MBD’s Maaminim. He sang this over Chanukah at a show for IDF in Ramat Gan.

This track is via JewishInsights.com

Here is also a video promoting the upcoming Benny Friedman/8th Day show Jan 9th.

This is gonna be a fun time for all folks!

JMR is hosting this years awards, so go on over, tell them what you think and let’s hand out some statues.

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Shloime Gertner and Ahrele Samet singing Yisroerl Werdyger’s Bayis Neman title track.

Here is a new clip of Michoel Schnitzler from his new DVD (studio version)

(via JMR)

Buy 5, get 1 free. Sounds like an awesome deal to me. The special ends after Chanukah.

(Moscow)

Baruch Hashem this Chanukah we have seen an amazing increase in the spread of light, just everywhere! Take a moment and shep nachas from Klal Yisroel!

Chabad.org

ColLive.com Chanukah News

CrownHeights.info Chanukah News

Vos Iz Neias Chanukah News

TheLakewoodScoop.com Chanukah News

TheYeshivaWorld.com Chanukah News

Matzav.com Chanukah News

Join us for an evening of song and light – The fifth night of Chanukah on Fifth Avenue. Enjoy the hip tunes of the popular Moshav Band and a grand menorah lighting in the heart of Manhattan.

The members of the Moshav band were raised in Moshav Mevo Modiim, a musical village located in the hills between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and will perform live at Chabad of Midtown’s soulful, groovy Chanukah Concert.

The big event will take place on Tuesday, December 15, at 7:00pm, in the sleek new auditorium of the City University of New york (CUNY) Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, Between 34th and 35th Streets, and will also feature a guest performance by C Lanzbom of Soulfarm.

Admission: $25

Buy tickets here: http://www.ChabadMidtown.com

For more information 212-972-0770 or chabadmidtown.com