The Boy is Oz – Kobi Oz

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 July 2010 09:50 Written by bryfy Tuesday, 27 July 2010 09:47

A few years ago Kobi Oz, a well known Israeli musician and lead singer in the band Tipex, made a splash in international circles with a Eurovision entry which created some controversy among the peace loving nations of Europe. “Push the Button” may not have won Eurovision but it certainly attracted some attention at the time.

Since then, Kobi Oz, has been performing for more and more diaspora audiences and bringing his personal narrative and experiences to thousands of people who may have previously been unexposed to this truly unique individual.

This latest collaboration with MAKOM is an exciting and dynamic approach to bringing contemporary Israeli culture to Jews all around the world.

Makom on Kobi Oz’ Mizmorei Nevuchim

A Picture Tells 75,000 Words

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 July 2010 09:48 Written by bryfy Tuesday, 27 July 2010 07:07

I like to think that an apparent recent interest in the Jewish adolescent population signifies a trend in the North American Jewish community to begin focusing on this most critical demographic. It is in these years that identity is developed more intensely than in any other age span. It is in these years that teenagers move gradually (or alarmingly) from the strong bonds and attachments that they have with their parents to the new relationships that will also endure with their  friends, role models and the like. And it is this demographic that the Jewish community has paid least attention to in recent years. But that is about to change, I can feel it, I know it, all it takes is a few good educators, with a few good communities (read Federations and Central Agencies), a lot of good congregations, youth groups & youth movements, summer camps, Jewish travel programs, and a few good foundations to join forces and….

Recently my dissertation has attracted some renewed attention. Entitled “Giving Voice to a Generation: The Role of the Peer Group in the identity development of Jewish Teenagers in America” this dissertation focuses on many issues covered in this blog – Jewish adolescents, identity development, formal and informal (nonformal) settings of Jewish education, experiential Jewish education, Israel, popular culture, relationships – to name but a few.

For those of you who want to read my dissertation, I recommend waiting for the book or movie to come out. But in the mean time – a picture really does tell 75,000+ words (click to enlarge)

I Like You So Much It Hurts

Last Updated on Wednesday, 21 July 2010 10:37 Written by bryfy Wednesday, 21 July 2010 07:23

With Tu B’Av (the Festival of Love) just around the corner (July 26th) I wanted to share the following with you. Someone very close to me tells me during occasional tender moments, “I like you so much, it hurts.” I never quite understood the phrase, but maybe now I do – at least just a bit better than before. But before reading on, and despite what I am about to share with you, rest assured that my personal life is actually doing quite well – thanks for caring!

I guess liking someone so much that it hurts could happen for many reasons – but in this case, the object of my affection is just making it so difficult for me – that it actually hurts.