I actually gasped out loud when I read the press release this morning:
I’m writing to let you know that after almost 9 years in operation, JDUB’s Board of Directors has decided to wind down the organization.
There are Jews all over the place creating brand new pieces of Jewish art and culture, but very few places collecting it and serving it up to the masses. And soon there will be on less than are already are.
JDub, aside from discovering Matisyahu and a lot of other great new Jewish musicians, also created the Six Points fellowship for artists and adopted the struggling online Jewish arts and culture magazine Jewcy. (By the way, for those keeping score at home, Jewcy has now died twice.) JDub did say that they will try to find homes for their other projects, but there’s no word on specific plans for any of them. At least there’s still Shemspeed.
Perhaps the saddest thing about it is that the official Jews try so hard–and fail so spectacularly–to market Jewishness to us as the epitome of cool. But JDub doesn’t try to be cool. JDub is just cool and we’ll all be just little less cool without it.
As an expression of my sadness, here are some JDub music videos:
“La Bush Resistance” by Balkan Beat Box:
“La Serena” by DeLeon:
“You are Never Alone” by SoCalled:
“Bones Become Rainbows” by The Wailing Wall:
Man, this shit is making me sad.
This is a tragedy which brings back memories of 9-11 and the TexasA&M Bonfire Collapse. Loosing JDUB records is like standing idlely by and watching the second temple be destoryed by the Romans. JDubs records is a pillar of modern Jewish culture. Are we, the Jewish people, strong enough to save it?
Jewcy’s not dead, from what I understand. Rejoice!
Indeed, John. We have heard that JDub will try to find a new home for Jewcy. Then again, last time Jewcy “died,” it didn’t really die. It just spent a while on life support because JDub came along to rescue it.
Man from Texas, I’m not sure whether to take your comment as a snide insult or a hyperbolic note of sympathy.
Sad indeed. I wish Aaron Bisman and all the musicians the best.
Thanks for featuring my Balkan Beat Box animation.