Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Maccabeats Rosh Hashana Greetings

While not quite a full-fledged music video, the Maccabeats just released a video greeting card, wishing everyone a Shana Tova.


I think it's cute. The new official logo is rather spiffy, I must say.

I am also encouraged by the forthcoming great projects that are "in the works" for 5773, as stated in the description of the video. Sounds very exciting.

I look forward to their next video, whenever or for whichever holiday it may occur.

Lipa Schmeltzer's New Song/Video - "Mizrach"

While not Rosh Hashana related, Lipa has released a new music video for his song "Mizrach," which is dedicated to the Nachal Chareidi. It promotes unity among all the different groups within the Jewish People, which is always a noble goal, especially now around the Yomim Nora'im.


Ever since I first met/saw Lipa perform live at the 2nd YU-Nite Shabbaton in Stamford, Connecticut, I knew  he was different from other performers out there from more right-wing backgrounds. After hearing him speak very positively about YU during the shabbaton as well as during his YU Chanukah performance, I became convinced that he is meant to be someone who uses his popularity and talent to greatly benefit the Jewish People.

See Lipa singing that if he could do things over, he'd go to YU.

Instead of merely created new engaging, inspiring and enjoyable music, he has become a personality for positive growth and unity - something we all need to focus on a little bit more these days, especially this time of the year.

I wish him much success, not only in his musical career, but in reaching out to Jews across the spectrum of Hashkafos and levels of religious observance - helping to bring us all a littler closer together.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Rosh Hashana 5773 Music Videos

Here we go! Another Rosh Hashana, another season of music videos!

From the Technion Institute in Israel - one of the most original, creative and fun videos I've ever seen.


From Aish.com we've got "What Makes Rosh Hashana  Beautiful" based on a song by One Direction.



UPDATE 9-12-12: The Maccabeats have released a cute Rosh Hashana greeting card video, featuring members of the group whistling the well-known Yomim Noraim niggun as they prepare for the Yom Tov!



UPDATE 9-13-12 - Also not a music video, but a great performance of "Chadesh Yameinu" by Shlomo Katz along with Rabbi Lazer Brody.


UPDATE 9-19-12: From Rabbi David Sirull of Augusta, Georgia, we have "Because It's Rosh Hashanah! A Musical Greeting"



Disclaimer: The following videos feature women singing.

The Ein Prat Fountainheads are back with a new video for Sukkos called "Livin' in a Booth" based on Bruno Mars "Marry You."

UPDATE 9-12-12: Apparently, the Fountainheads have released a 2nd version of their video, "Livin' in a Booth." The music is the same, but there are different video segments/the video is cut differently. The 1st version is no longer accessible by searching on Youtube - but can be reached via a link, which I happen to have in the paragraph above ;)

The Jewish Agency in France has a video based on Carly Rae Jepson's "Call Me Maybe" entitled "Call Me Maybe - Chana Tova." I'm not sure what the lyrics mean since I don't know French. Also, apparently "ch" is used instead of "sh" in French.

While not a music video, WonderingJew presents a humorous video called "Yetzer Hara"


In terms of meaning and uplifting impact - I still think nothing can top "Book of Good Life" released by the Maccabeats this time last year...

If anyone has found any other music videos for Rosh Hashana, please post them in the comments and I'll update this post.