Happy 60th

Star-studded Hallelujah finale at the Radio City Music Hall

Last night I attended the Yom Ha'atzmaut Israel's 60th Anniversary Celebration at the Radio City Music Hall with my friends (thanks, Lindsay!). It was my first time in Radio City, and the show was really spectacular. An impressive lineup of Jewish and Israeli musicians, including Matisyahu, Idan Raichel, David Broza, Rami Kleinstein, John Zorn, and my favorite acts of the evening, Habanot Nechama and Yael Naim who performed her hit, "New Soul", made popular in the Apple MacBook Air commercials, as well as her cover of Brittany Spears' "Toxic". In addition to these wonderful musical acts, we were treated to special appearances by guest hosts Natalie Portman, Governor (and genetically Jewish!) of New York David Paterson, Paul Schaffer and Richard Belzer.

Alicia Post and Lindsay Litowitz share post-show shots

Esther K. and Doree Lewak descend at Radio City Music Hall

Steven I. Weiss finds his audience for The Jewish Channel in front of Radio City Music Hall

After the show, which ran past midnight, many of us ended up at Tavern on the Green for the Dor Chadash Yom Ha'atzmaut bash. I think every young Jew in New York was there, it was an impressive party!

Jewish Robot flanked by his Israel Girls, Lindsay and Sydney

More photos on Facebook

Heebonism 2007

Heebonism New York will take place at the Knitting Factory and start with an hour-long open bar from 9:00-10 p.m. The 21+ blowout will feature live sets by Original Hamster, Terry Diabolik (Finger on the Pulse), June D (White Dove) and DJ Krowd Pleezr, Christmas Carol Karaoke, "Strip Dreidel" led by Kinkyjews.com and all sorts of other Semitic salaciousness.

The event runs from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. (open bar courtesy of LinLin Vodka for the first hour) and will be held at the Knitting Factory (74 Leonard Street, New York, NY). Tickets are $20 in advance ( Knittingfactory.com) or $25 at the door. (The event is 21+)

Mega Mini Mega

Israeli singer Einat Sarouf leads us in round of "Salaam", the unofficial birthright israel bus trip anthem
Yesterday I attended the birthright israel Mini Mega Event, a reunion for birthright alumni and friends hosted on the vast Bedford estate of Michael and Judy Steinhardt. And when I say vast, I'm talking Neverland Ranch proportions, complete with apple orchards, a Japanese garden, a zoo with exotic animals, catered food in a tent for hundreds of alumni, and more. Michael Steinhardt introduced his friends, Senator Joe Lieberman, and honorary Jew, Newark NJ Mayor Cory Booker, who gave a most memorable, rousing speech about, oddly enough, the privilege of being Jewish.

A baby fennec fox, just one of the exotic animals in Steinhardt's zoo
birthright staffer Melissa Frank calls her boyfriend in Israel to brag that she is hanging out with the Jewish Robot
Shira Shimoni of Taglit-birthright NY and Aaron Bisman of JDub Records
"Sure, Mrs. Steinhardt and Mrs. Schusterman, I'd be happy to pose for a photo and sign my autograph for you!"
Michael Steinhardt, Newark NJ Mayor Cory Booker, singer, and Senator Joe Lieberman singing "Oseh Shalom" ... "We Are The World style!"
Photographer Michael "Crouching Tiger" Findling captures it all on film
Esther K. and JTA's Jacob Berkman, whose goal is to make his head and hair grow to resemble a fist holding a black tambourine
Mini Mega Coordinator/Terminator Lindsay Litowitz
Filmmaker Alan Dorfman with Moshav singer Duvid
Jewish Robot freestyle rapping against Wu-Tang Clan member Remedy

Watch Wu-Tang Clan member Remedy perform at the Mini Mega

While I'm not a birthright israel alumnus, I've participated in several events funded by the Steinhardt Foundation and the Schusterman Foundation, and I can see how these mega events will help former participants maintain a sense of pride and responsibility, even though they are miles away from Israel.

See more photos from the birthright israel Mini Mega event on Facebook:
Photo Album 1, Photo Album 2, Photo Album 3

Hookah in the Sukkah

Dope beats courtesy of Harel Schachal & Anistar
PresenTense Magazine celebrated the launch of their third issue (in which I have a full-page Shabot 6000 special "Shabot Spot" comic) with Sukkot in the PresenTense: A Feast from the Middle East, celebrated in perfect weather and under the sukkah at the Sixth Street Community Synagogue in Manhattan. With live Middle Eastern music, more hookahs than you could shake a bong at, and food and wine flowing, I believe everyone who attended had a fantastic time, and this party marked the best PresenTense event yet!

PresenTense editor Esther K. and graphic designer Sari Lisch
Educator and former PresenTense contributor Beth Pollack and voiceover artist Jessica Wachsman
Heeb contributor David Kelsey and Basya Schechter of Pharaoh's Daughter
New Jewcy contributor Maya Wainhaus, world traveler Raven Brown, and Alicia "The Postmaster" Post
The shwarma and pita simply wasn't Jewish enough for Eli Valley's strict standards, so he moved shop to the kitchen for some real Jewish food ... Matzo Farfel
Jewish Robot with bedazzled admirer Alicia Post
Success! Party organizers Ariel Beery of PresenTense and Maven Haven, Dara Lehon, and the Good Rabbi Charlie Buckholtz

OneVoice is One Word

OneVoice President Daniel Lubetzky
Last night I attended the OneVoice Blogger Meet-Up at Think Tank 3 in Manhattan. From their website,

On October 18, 2007, the Israeli and Palestinian peoples will say "enough!" - enough stalemated negotiations, enough violence and chaos, enough setbacks and excuses.
Through unprecedented, massive parallel summits in Tel Aviv and Jericho satellite-linked to locations worldwide, and supportive events in London , Washington , D.C., and Ottawa , the moderate majority will take a stand.

After an introduction by Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist, and Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post, OneVoice President Daniel Lubetzky explained that, while traditional media has failed in spreading the word in their stand for peace in the Middle East, there is still hope with the new media reporters, like us bloggers. So far, over half a million Israelis and Palestinians have pledged their support in the One Million Voices campaign to end the conflict. We bloggers were invited to help spread their word.

Jewschool.com founder Daniel Sieradski compares notes with Craigslist founder Craig Newmark
Aryeh Goldsmith of the Jewish blog aggregator Jrants.com, Leah Jones of Accidentally Jewish, and ever present Esther K.
Heeb's Adam Baruchowitz and Etty Beke for NuYorker
Etty told me that if we took this photo, she would be the envy of all her friends in Venezuela, who happen to be Shabot 6000 fans. As opposed as I am to befriending tall, young Venezuelan Jewish girls, I reluctantly agreed to pose with her.

See more photos by Dan Sieradski

Barely Political Party

Team Obama Girl (creator Ben Relles and vocalist Leah Kauffman) with Team Rosh Hashanah Girl (me and Michelle)
Having been inspired by BarelyPolitical's Obama Girl, we were flattered to learn that the Obama Girl team are mutually fans of our own Rosh Hashanah Girl production. So last night, Rosh Hashanah Girl a.k.a. Michelle Citrin and I attended Barely Political's launch party for their new music video, I Like A Boy ..., featuring Leah Kauffman, the voice behind Obama Girl.

Flanked by two of three Romney Girl Triplets
Unfortunately we didn't get to meet Amber Lee Ettinger a.k.a. Obama Girl as she was a bit under the weather (and seemingly preoccupied with a very lucky boyfriend), but I did get to meet many of the talented folks behind BarelyPolitical.com's videos, including two of three Romney Girl Triplets.

Huffington Post reporter Rachel Sklar, vocalist Leah Kauffman, and Michelle Citrin
New BFFs, the voices of Obama Girl and Rosh Hashanah Girl
Many business cards were exchanged that night, and as we were all promptly ushered out of the Canal Room at 9pm so they could get ready for the next event, we all wished each other an easy fast, because, as it turns out, almost everyone involved in these projects was Jewish.

September Timbre

Meir, me, Esther, and Aryeh at Jewzapalooza
As the new year approaches, thankfully the shofar isn't the only music you'll hear this month. Last Sunday was the Oyhoo! Jewzapalooza festival at Riverside Park on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, featuring musical acts including Dan Zanes, Pharaoh’s Daughter and more. Check out the schedule for more Jewish music events in NYC, all part of the Oyhoo! 2007 venue.


And yesterday, between curtains of rain, I went to see our very own Michelle Citrin, a.k.a. Rosh Hashanah Girl, perform a set in the 9/11 September Concert series at Union Square.


Check out this video of Michelle performing her catchy tune, "I Believe in Music"!

Jewish Alliance Colony, 125 Years Later

My niece Lola represents a new generation of Jewish Alliance descendants
Last week I returned home to Vineland, NJ ... and I mean HOME home, back to our farmland where my family lived when I was born, for the 125 year anniversary of the Jewish Alliance Colony. For a little background, Joel Landau of The Courier Post explains in his article, "Town honors anniversary of Jewish colony":

In 1882, 43 Jewish families fled the Soviet Union to come to South Jersey and do something they were never allowed to do before.

The refugees, from what is now Odessa, Ukraine, started the Alliance Colony, which became the first Jewish agricultural colony in the country. Now, descendants of those first families and hundreds more that came shortly afterward reflected on and honored their history at Alliance Cemetery on Gershal Avenue.

My father's side of the family were amongst the original 43, and I have many fond memories of growing up in Vineland with fellow descendants, who are like a big extended family to me.

Rabbi Murray Kohn, who performed our bar and bat mitzvahs, and officiated my sister Sandy's wedding
The songs I write for my cartoons? I have Barbara Kornbluh, my childhood piano instructor, to thank for making learning music so fun!
Celia Pretter, with her daughters Talia and Alana, was our favorite babysitter when we were little. She lived down the street where her parents raised chickens, and we would ask our parents to leave just so Celia would come to sit for us. I was just a wee lad, but you can see why she is still my favorite!

Behind the Scene

Tuesday August 7 was National Underwear Day, an event launched by Freshpair, based on the simple belief that underwear deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. What does this have to do with Jewish and/or robots? Other than my sneaking suspicion that many of the models were actually androids, the event was founded by Freshpair president Michael Kleinmann, and the video production was coordinated by Alex Lirtsman, with on-the-fly editing by buddy Dave Marcus, who got the Jewish Robot in on the job of preparing the videos for YouTube for The Underwear Observer blog.

Alex smiles because, well, we're blogging about National Underwear Day!
Seen the behind? Behind the scene in Hard Rock Café at Times Square
"Must ... concentrate ... on ... editing ... Ignore ... girls ... in underwear!"
Jewish Robot, Dave Marcus, and Freshpair president Michael Kleinmann, (who bears an uncanny resemblance to ROI120 leader and friend, Elias Parker!)

Newish Media

Point/Counterpoint with Mobius and Rebecca
This week I attended The Evolving Landscape in "New" Jewish Media discussion at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. On the panel were Tahl Raz of Jewcy.com, Sara Ivry of Nextbook, Rebecca Wiener of Heeb Magazine, Esther Kustanowitz of PresenTense Magazine, Daniel Sieradski of Jewschool.com and moderator Ami Eden of JTA. Eden played the devil's advocate with his questions, asking the panel if blogs really have an impact in the world of legitimate Jewish journalism. He expressed a common sentiment: he could read about the same topic in a hundred blogs, but he won't take it seriously until he reads it in a reputable printed publication like the Jewish Daily Forward (where he used to work). Tal argued that blogs must be having an impact, because now all these reputable print publications are rushing to create their own blogs. Dan "Mobius" Sieradski, founder of Jewschool.com, knows first hand about these Old School publications looking to start some serious blogging, as he hinted to the audience, and finally announced on his Orthodox Anarchist blog:

Next Monday, I assume the role of Director of New Media for JTA, the global Jewish newswire. Mostly, I will be responsible for JTA’s website, video, podcasts, etc.. I will not be writing for them. Not yet, anyway. And unless I’m showing off something I made, I also will not be writing about JTA here or anywhere else. I do not want to blow this gig. So, this is “the last time I am phoning and the first time. Goodbye.”

Good luck to all my fellow New Jewish Media bloggers, though I have a feeling it's the Old Media folks who need the luck.

"Sorry for making fun of Heeb in my comics, Rebecca."
Persuasive and manly speaker Tahl Raz flanked by swooning Sara Ivry and Esther K.
Self-professed Brooklyn hater, alcoholic and author of Generation S.L.U.T., Jewcy contributor Marty Beckerman finally meets his idol: me.

Is Dan Zanes Jewish?

I suspect he might be, as this local musician is a featured artist in the upcoming September Jewzapalooza concert at Riverside Park in Manhattan. Regardless, Dan Zanes and Friends is also the attraction that got my sister Sandy and her husband Todd to travel up to Brooklyn with my 17 month old niece, Lola!

Lola really digs the music!
It was Lola's first trip to Brooklyn, which was already a special occasion. The Celebrate Brooklyn music series just made the day even more memorable.

Picking up the babes by picking up the babe
Lola and my sister Michelle, back together
Dan Zanes shines as he signs Lola's DVD
More photos on Facebook

Brooklyn Pride

Proud Brooklynite dances with flair
Last night I was proud for 15 minutes. That's about how long the 10th Annual Brooklyn Pride parade lasted, as the local gay and lesbian community and supporters gathered along 7th Avenue here in Park Slope to share in the festivities for Brooklyn Pride Week.

It was nice to see the churches and synagogues participating, as well as a special appearance by borough President Marty Markowitz in his Martymobile!

The Metropolitan Community Church of New York
Park Slope Jewish Center
Congregation Beth Elohim of Brooklyn New York
I am proud to be a part of such a welcoming and diverse community here in Brooklyn!

Salute to Israel Parade

Last week was the Salute to Israel Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. The event was well attended, and offered a chance to meet up randomly with all the people I've gotten to know in the active Jewish community over the last year.

Newly engaged Seth Galena of BangItOut.com and Hindy "sister of ROI120's Existential Rabbi Avi" Poupko pass out "Kiss Me if You Love Israel" stickers
Leading Up North participants Melissa Frank, Esther K., and National Alumni Coordinator for birthright israel Sydney Henning reunite.
JTA staff writer Jacbo Berkman and Nice Jewish Girl Gone Bad musician Michelle Citrin, exhibit a sign of change: "COME TO ISRAEL ... NO ONE BELONGS HERE"

Dor Chadash Yom Ha'atzmaut in NYC

Berger Boy and I will see you at the Dor Chadash Yom Ha'atzmaut celebration in NYC.

Yom Ha'atzmaut - April 23, 2007

Where: Capitale - 130 Bowery

When:
6:00 Doors Open
6:30 One Hour Open Wine/Vodka Bar; Light Passed Hors D'oeuvres
7:30 Yom HaZikaron/Memorial Ceremony Begins - No Admittance During Ceremony
8:15 Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration Begins!

Price:
Regular Ticket - $30 in advance; 40 at the door
VIP* Ticket: $75 in advance; $100 at the door

Festival of Chametz

Prepare yourself for the Four Questions with the creative flavors of four Israeli artists making it in New York City: Sephardi-infused jazz by Ayelet Rose Gottlieb ; Beats by Modular Moods' DJ Handler backed by chanteuse Smadar Levi ; Short films by Aylam Orian ; Performance poetry by Eran Tzelgov.

Co-sponsored by Ben Gurion University of the Negev--where you can immerse yourself in Israel --and Jewlicious.

When: Saturday, March 31, 10:30pm till the Exodus
Where: The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard Street, New York, NY 10013
Cost: $8 at the door, $5 presale or with donation of bread or grain at the door.
How: You can take the 1 or 9 train to Franklin Street, walk one block south to Leonard, turn left and walk a block & a half to the club
Contact: MiriamHaier -at- presentensemagazine.org

Come for art, pre-Passover partying and the official launch of PresenTense Magazine's third issue! (which is, well, Issue Two)

More information at PresenTense Magazine

Best of All, the Festival

Misha the Frum Mouse meets the Jewish Robot
I arrived home in Brooklyn on Tuesday after spending a fun filled weekend participating in the Jewlicious at the Beach 3.0 festival, co-hosted by Beach Hillel in Long Beach, CA. The festival was well attended, with about 400 Jewish students all converging in the Alpert JCC for shabbat meals, wine tasting, music, arts and crafts, concerts, seminars, and open music jams.

I was honored to have been invited to conduct a "JewTube" seminar, about Jewish influence in online marketing and viral videos. Joining me in the discussion was fellow Jew-world song writer and comedic entertainer Eric Schwartz, a.k.a. Smooth E, who had given a hilarious live performance in the music festival the night before. We talked about our involvement in the niche Jewish online market, and even got into deeper philosophical issues, asking questions like "Is Judaism becoming too trendy?" and "Do these funny Jewish viral videos negatively affect the way people view Judaism?" (I hope not, because I'm trying to make a business out of it.)

Rabbi Yonah calls everyone into the concert
Comedian and fellow songwriter Eric Schwartz, a.k.a. Smooth E, honors the Jewish Robot with his own robot impression
Straight outta' Brooklyn, Rav Shmuel performs his hit song, Protocols
Sweet young Festival goers, Andrea and Flora, flanked by two guys whose names I can't remember if I ever knew
The haunting music of Israeli Grammy award-winning musician, my second surprise
After four days of festival, Heeb Magazine contributor and hardcore New Yorker David Kelsey was not nearly as enthusiastic as I was about finally getting to the beach in Santa Monica, for fear he might spontaneously combust in the sunlight (his clothes are SPF 1,000).
It was nice to see so many young Jewish adults come together and become friends, and I'm looking forward to participating in future events. Thanks again to the Jewlicious crew and especially Rabbi Yonah!

Jewish Robot at the Beach

Yesterday I arrived in Long Beach, California for the Jewlicious at the Beach Festivals, where I, along with many of my colleagues, will be speaking in salons and panels about being Jews in new media (I think ... I'm still not sure what I'll be talking about). As with my trips to Israel, once again I am traveling and rooming with fellow J-blogger and friend, Aryeh G. The good Rabbi Yonah Bookstein of Beach Hillel, founder and organizer for the event, arranged our flight and lodging and food and local transportation, and we are already indebted to his generosity. That's why Aryeh and I were more than willing to help decorate the JCC into the night.

Aryeh at the airport
Jewish Robot, having a ball
Aryeh helps make the JCC look nice, just by standing there
Blogging from the Alpert Jewish Community Center of Long Beach, where I got to blow the dust off my old Macboy skills and set up the Macintosh iMacs for the registration center.

More news and photos after the weekend, ShaBot Shalom!

Manic Monday

L to R: Aryeh Goldsmith, Ariel Beery, Sara Schwimmer, Paul Berger, and Eli "No Website" Valley
Last night I gathered with the usual suspects at Mo Pitkins for Manic Monday, a joint event hosted by PresenTense Magazine and Save the Assistants. The after-work program, conceived by Lilit and Ariel, intends to combine the audiences of Jewish readers and overworked assistants for a monthly unwinding. I found it ironic that ninty percent of the folks who showed up were, like me, self-employed, and therefore could not relate to the daily strife of those Assistants who need Saving. Still, it's always good to get together with my unemployed friends.

DJ Wolinsky and Dave Schwimmer Marcus
Lilit, Assistant Saved
EV, New York blogger event king Andrew Krucoff, and Berger Boy

Sweet Purim Jam, Brooklyn Style

IYUUN Chabad of Carroll Gardens Annual Purim Jam!
With no concrete Purim plans, I wandered over to the BAM Café with my buddy Berger Boy, only to discover that the Hip-Hop Hafla Purim Party, part of the 2007 Steinhardt Jewish Heritage Festival, was already winding down. We waited for Ariel Beery to show up before jetting, and going with the flow, we followed a group of nomadic Jews over to the Chabad of Carroll Gardens a few blocks away.

When we arrived, I was surprised to find an oasis of music, food, and celebration in a part of Brooklyn that I've only passed through, never stopping to smell the roses. And to make things even more special, Hasidic hip-hop artist Matisyahu made a surprise appearance, and put on an impromptu performance. Even though I've poked fun at him in my Shabot comics, I had never seen Matisyahu perform before, so I lucked out when I just happened to be sitting right up front, about two feet away from him as he busted out with the beats.

Impromptu Matisyahu
Berger Boy caught the whole thing on film

Watch a clip of Matisyahu perform live at Chabad of Carroll Gardens

After his performance, I had an opportunity to introduce myself and talk with Matisyahu briefly, before the swarm of admiring frum gals flocked around him, maintaining a respectable distance, wishing they could jump his shomer negiyah bones.

Matisyahu and the Jewish Robot
Resident Engergy Conservationist Ami "Greener" Greener and sidekick Adam
Who let Super Mario in the house? Ariel Beery wears his Leading Up North work clothes so he can get down and dirty.
Jamming out the Chabad Melodies, Purim style
Hasidic Crown Heights native and fashion designer Levi Okunov and publicist Berel made it to the party
By the time this photo was taken, Paul could not tell the difference between "Cursed be Haman" and "Blessed be Mordecai". Though the next day, Berger Boy confessed he didn't know the difference before he got drunk, either

Grateful Yid Purim Bash

If you happen to be Brooklyn-bound this Purim weekend, come to Southpaw for the 3rd Annual Grateful Yid Purim Bash:

Sun. 3/4
Chabad of Prospect Heights presents the 3rd Annual Purim Bash
Join us for an incredible evening of celebration, music & L'Chiam!
4:00pm Megillah Reading
5:00pm Funk & Festivities! featuring
MATISYAHU
Rahanim
Asefa
Y-Love feat. DJ Handler & Yoshie
with special guest Heedoosh
$15 adv./$15 d.o.s
3 pm doors
best Purim Costume takes grand prize -info. call 718-362-9213
Southpaw @ 125 5th Ave. Brooklyn, NY
Buy Tickets here

Artists Appreciated

Canonist Steven I. Weiss and wife Rachel
On Sunday I attended the Second Annual 14th Street Y Artist Appreciation Soiree at Mo Pitkin's in Manhattan. Having placed last (first loser) in the Mr. and Ms. Jew-S-A Pageant, as well as contributing artwork in the Tikun Olam benefit, I apparently qualified as an artist deserving of appreciation. Among other artists in attendance who are more deserving of appreciation were the loveable Canonist Mr. and Mrs. Steven I. Weiss, Heeb Magazine Editor Josh Neuman, 14th Street Y Director of Arts, Jewish Culture, & Adult Education Alyssa Abrahamson, the Goddess Perlman (star of the Channel 102 series Raduate School), and fashion designer and self-proclaimed superstar Apollo Braun, who stunned participants with his sexually charged Jew-ish dance and song routine, "Party in My Pants" (warning: adult language).

Neuman, Alyssa A, and the Goddess Perlman
Apollo Braun says, "Buy my music!"

Whuzza Mezuzah?

Sara Marcus of ChosenCouture.com
Last week I attended the release party and benefit for Mezuzah, the first book in The Jewish Life Series at the Downtown Chabbad Loft in Manhattan. Gary Sternberg (left), who has been working on the project and foundation for several years, explains,

The Jewish Life Series is dedicated to making Jewish living and knowledge accessible to Jews worldwide through cutting-edge, graphically excellent websites, books, and advertising. Topics include Jewish beliefs, observances, holidays, and kabbalah.

The book is of extraordinary quality, with colorful illustrations and glossy raised print, and the topic is explained in a way that is easy for everyone to understand. You can support The Jewish Life Series Foundation by visiting their web site.

(right) Jewish Robot and The Shansta always seem to be at these events, hmm ...

Dave Goldstein and Howard Reichman show their support for The Jewish Life Series

Festival B'Shekel