Can someone please give George Clooney passes to Yad Vashem.

“Clooney names three of what he calls the biggest genocides in the century—Rwanda, Cambodia, and Balkins, but fails to name the biggest one of them all—THE HOLOCAUST!”

This is abosolutely amazing.

Crossover Reggae artist Matisyahu reached another milestone this week as his latest album, Youth, was certified Gold by the RIAA. It marks the second Gold album for Matisyahu in the past three months, as his Live at Stubb’sCoachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Look for additional tour dates to be announced soon. CD notched Gold status in February. Matisyahu will be performing at festivals across the country this summer, including (Source)

(HT & more pics from TRL Here)

I drive by Ground Zero a lot. Every time I get upset. Why it’s taking this long is ridiculous. This September it will be FIVE YEARS. So I’m very happy to see construction finally beginning. I hope this isn’t just some symbolic thing, just so NY politicians can look good.

Politicians broke ground on the tower for the first time on July 4,
2004, with a 20-ton inscribed granite cornerstone that has remained encased in
blue plywood since construction stalled. Officials said the deal Wednesday
ensures that all five planned towers would be built by 2012.

Other
plans for ground zero include a memorial, a transit hub and a performing arts
center. Construction has begun on the memorial and transit hub, which are both
scheduled to open in 2009.

Articles HERE and HERE.

Video HERE.

This is so horrible. Just heart wrenching.

You can watch the video from CBS here.

(Hat Tip Yeshiva World)

I think this is new, it’s new to me. This is interesting. I just came across this video which is about a minute and a half. It gives you a good feeling of the chaotic atmosphere that existed that night. I don’t think the police come off looking so bad here. It’s obvious the person who took this video is trying to point out the “brutality” of the police that night. I don’t really see it.

They were trying to prevent a minor riot/disturbance from becoming a full scale nightmare. It had already got out of hand and I think the “brutality” this person saw was really just police taking this very seriously. In fact, you can see cops very gently moving along three girls with a baby carriage.

As the cops are pushing along the baby carriage another guy is putting up a fight, he doesn’t want to be “pushed” along by the cops. To me that guy looks like he is just looking for trouble. I still hear people trying to defend this event and there is nothing to defend.

The community of Boro park really needs to address what happened, at least internally.

Let me introduce you to Yossi Sharf. Yossi Sharf “sings” in Eli Gerstner’s ultra hip, modern, new age, rebellious reinvention of Jewish Music. Tek-Noy.

This is Yossi dancing with Avraham Fried while he sings Hupp Cossak.

(HT Mindy)

Are you a Jewish singer?

Wanna make some big money?

“Looking for young singer-guitarist to perform World and a
little Jewish music for small Bat Mitzvah reception in synagogue in Bronx in
June for a couple of hours. If interested, please respond with a BRIEF
description of your background/experience and, if appropriate, I’ll give you an
address at which you can send an mp3 sample. If you have web or blog site,
please indicate in your first response. Pay is $100-$250, depending on
qualifications.”

(source)

Someone put up 21 clips of the funeral. This one is the longest one.

(Hat Tip Chabad Mont Pneimios)

For all of you out there who were upset by the Yidden song stealing thing, coupled with the new copyright speech MBD gives. You have to watch this clip. Forward to the 5 minutes 44 seconds mark and listen.

Mordechai Ben David tells a story of how he would sing many R’ Shlomo Carlebach songs, even back in the day. One time someone came to Reb Shlomo at a concert of his and said to him. “Reb Shloima, you have so many wonderful songs, why do you have to sing MBD’s?”

A year later, at a Hasc concert backstage, Shlomo saw MBD and said to him “You Ganif!”, MBD’s say’s “What?”, Shlomo explains “It’s one thing if you want to sing my songs, but at least give me the credit.” MBD answers him saying “you’re a composer, I’m a composer, it’s a matana (gift), it’s from shamayim.”

To that Sholomo say’s “Ya ya Ganif, but I got the matana, not you.”

The crowd laughs and the story ends.

What I don’t understand is, what’s so funny? It almost seems like Reb Sholomo was being serious. Even if he was just joking around, there may have been a hint of truth to it, trying in a joking manner to remind MBD to credit him when he sings his songs.

This story tells us so much with regards to the attitude of the “Yidden” song controversy.

It really is a very telling story.

This is hysterical! Very funny. You have to check this out.

(HT Soccer Dad)