Adam J. Sacks

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Music of the Mind

By Adam J. Sacks

Hailing from the land of Tango in Buenos Aires, Simja Dujov writes music that resembles almost anything other than that classic genre. Known as “the Jewish Manu Chao,” he has a sound that is ironic and humorous rather than wistful and melancholy, rhythmic and driving as opposed to nonpercussive. Dujov’s music is uniquely of its time and place, avoiding the character of Tango, which longs for a Europe of the past. A fusion of Cumbia (a Colombian urban dance music) and reggaeton, with traces of hip hop and klezmer, Dujov’s heady brew could be possible only in South America. The artist is currently at work on his latest album, set for release in September, and his back story is almost as interesting as the music itself.Read More

Report: Israeli Education Gets a Failing Grade

By Adam J. Sacks

A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development gave the Israeli education system an appraisal tantamount to an “F.” The report revealed that class sizes in Israel are among the largest in the world, and featured results from the Program for International Student Assessment exams that placed Israeli students at 39th and 40th in math and science, respectively, out of 57 participating nations.Read More

Rockin’ Rabbi Raises Awareness

By Adam J. Sacks

This is the catchy chorus of Rav Shmuel’s new hit video and song, which is being passed around on YouTube like a hot falafel. The irony-filled animated film features the rabbi playing indie rock and sends up clichés by the dozen. The rockin’ rabbi, as he is known, takes to the stage bearded and sporting impressively long sidelocks; but there is no hora dancing or cantorial singing in his repertoire, just unadulterated indie pop.Read More

Cooling Tensions

By Adam J. Sacks

The philosophy behind a new nonprofit organization, Breaking the Ice, suggests that reconciliation under extreme conditions is not only possible — it’s preferable. Or at least that was the thinking behind an Antarctic trek pairing four Israelis and four Palestinians.Project founder Nathaniel Heskel, a Berlin-based Israeli banker, was convincedRead More

A Century Later, Immigrant Story Finds Its Coda

By Adam J. Sacks

When a young real estate developer acquired some property on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, he figured he’d gotten a deal. But it took some time before recognizing the magnitude of his find.In 1982, Manhattan’s Lower East Side was not yet the gentrifying wonderland it is today. Judah Klausner was, nevertheless, drawn to theRead More


     

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