Jewish Life Festival: Washington Square Park

The problem I have with Mattisyahu, the Lubavitch reggae superstar whose album recently went to number one on the Reggae charts, is that his success means that Jewish kids everywhere are going to think that they themselves can reggae-rap their way to superstardom. It's what, back in high school, I used to call the Beastie Boys Effect: as word spread that the three Boys had gone to yeshiva, the boys I went to high school with began to have delusions of rapping grandeur, if such a thing there be...and my concern is that the Effect will re-emerge, with a beat that's distinctly reggae. And copycat yeshiva reggae artists? We'll end up with rabbi/rap/reggae hybrids like RambEminem, Fat Joe-sephus and Jew-Z. The world does not need that.

That said, Mattisyahu totally rocked the Jewish Life Festival this afternoon in Washington Square Park. I was one of the few in attendance who had never heard any of his music; I had heard that he attracted a diverse group of people to his concerts. Half of the people I was there with weren't even Jewish; they were just fans.

But the event had more than just Mattisyahu. For $10 (for you a bargain), you could make your own shofar. I didn't, because the rumor was that ram's horns actually are quite malodorous when you first remove them from the animal...who knew? But if shofar odors are your problem, then here's the solution: a combination wash of baking soda and vinegar apparently obliterates that "fresh-from-the-dead-ram" smell.

Of course, this being a Jew event, I couldn't help but run into various Jews of note. First of all, there was Tamara, in from California due to a cheap ticket and a few days to kill. And then, I got recognized by Mobius (of Jewschool and Orthodox Anarchist), a split second before I recognized him. (That's what putting your picture all over the internet gets you...the loss of your anonymity.) He was there with Jake Marmer and Lillit Marcus from Jewschool, and we had to commemorate the meeting with a picture. (Hopefully, theirs came out better; this one's a little overexposed.)

Expanding the circles of Jewish geography offline to the rhythms and words of a pro-Zionist, pro-Judaism Lubavitch reggae singer, under crystal blue skies in New York City...a priceless and promising way to begin a new year.

Comments

[Will Gotkin]

In relation to your comment that the downside of Matisyahu's success backfiring by causing a bunch of "knock-offs" I say what's the big deal? Every big artist no matter what their race or religion has bandwagon clutching, wannabes and posers trying to get big. Fortunately they rarely achieve success. Besides, if Matisyahu inspires a lot of young Jewish kids to pretend for just a little while that they could be chasidic reggae superstars so be it. At least it helps them in some small way break free of the stereotypes most Jewish kids are forced to grow up with. Anyway I just want to say that although I regrettibly have not yet attended a Matisyahu concert I think his music is fire and he's really making the kind of music the world needs right now.

[Tamara]

SHANA TOVA...it was great seeing you, even if it was only brief. You also got me on a totally exhausted day. I think Matis is great! His band is darn good too.

By the way, the vinegar and baking soda didn't work. I made one at the festival. Did the mixture at my friend's and it still smells like goat arse. Now I have it soaking in a orange cleaning solution and lemon juice...my own concoction...we'll see if it works :)