| CARVIEW |

1/03/2010
7/01/2008
Interview with Dixie Yid!
Dixie Yid!
JB:Dixie Yid, That's an interesting name are you from the South?
JB:What part of Chassidus do you dislike if any?
Labels: dixie yid
7:00 AM | Permalink |
5/27/2008
Interview with Frum Satire!
JB: Tell our viewers a little bit about your background
Frum:I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan- most famous for its bagels and singles scene, I attended Manhattan Day School and went to Matov Day Camp, I think these were two modern orthodox institutions that all kids from the west side had to take part of. We always said the folks from the East Side were just snobby and rich.
My mother died when I was 6 so I pretty much raised myself. I also gained this totally different perspective of Judaism because we were very modern behind closed doors- but in the open my father was just this old school orthodox guy that happened to have learned in some very prestigious yeshivas. I remember being driven to yeshiva chofetz chaim in Rochester and stopping on the way to get an eggplant farm at some non-kosher place, I also remember watching TV on shabbos afternoon.
JB:How did you come up with the name frumsatire? What other names did you consider?
Frum:It just flowed off the tongue, I thought about "frum rants" but it didn't sound as cool, although "frum sarcasm or irony" may be a better fit as I have progressed along the humor scale.
JB:How did you get introduced to the J Blogosphere?
Frum:I started blogging as someone who had no idea what a blog was- I started it just because I had a lot to say. The day I was introduced to the fact other Jewish blogs existed was when I got my first big links. Krum as a Bagel and Aidel Maidel both linked me up when I wrote about different categories in orthodoxy- and suddenly I was thrust into the J-Blogsphere.
JB: What do you do for a living and what's your dream job?
Frum:I work as a an Internet Marketing Manager- for all those techies out there I am really an SEO/SEM guy who dabbles with Google advertising and shopping all day long, but this allows me to work on my own stuff by learning the field.
Frum:I love every minute of it. Of course I would love to meet someone, but I don't spend too much time worrying. I have a philosophy about living life to its fullest and being single really allows for lots of leeway. I have taken at least 10 one month long road trips since I was 18 and last year drove to Alaska- not even retirees get to make the drive.
Cons: the winter is awfully lonely- especially when there isn't enough snow for skiing. I wish I could have someone to show all of the beautiful things I have seen. In the words of Chris McCandless- experience is nothing unless shared.
JB:Do you ever fear that your videos will have any consequences in shidduchim?
Frum:I go through stages- I am constantly taking stuff down due to philosophical debates about how I want to present myself. I used to not care- but now my audience is too large not to care. I have cleaned up my act and try to only put kosher things up- its better for business in general
Frum:How many dates have I gotten or how many have I been on? That's important, I have been on many dates with fans, even had a short relationship with one. I have also turned down offers and am constantly getting emails and facebook messages that contain an obvious request to hang out or date- but I usually am not interested. I find that people expect too much out of me, I am funny in person, but my blog and videos are not my life. I lead a public and a private life, like any actor.
JB:Which do you prefer more blogging or your videos and why?
Frum:Well they are both different experiences, I am definitely talented in both venues. I find that I love to do the videos- but cannot make them as long as I like, I would rather be doing performances. I would have to say the writing is better because its more interactive, that may be because anyone can comment, on you tube you need an account which is prohibitive to further the discussion.
JB: Where would you say you got your sense of humor from?
Frum:My father definitely has a big part to do with that, he was always saying whatever was on his mind, he was always himself. Other then that I have no idea, I never even knew I could do anything with it, people always found me funny- but I never paid any attention to trying to get it on paper.
JB: The funniest Blog you ever read would be?
Frum:You know I really don't read blogs that often unless people send links. But Bangitout.com consistently has the best and funniest stuff around.
JB: What part of being Jewish do you enjoy the most?
Frum:That's a hard question- never even thought about it. I could be funny and say the food- because the food is not only good, we are the only community in which you can pretty much get free food any time. I would say shabbos is my favorite part of being Jewish, the natural breaks in which we have time to reflect upon life, chow down, stare over the mechitza and hang out with family and friends. With our fast paced electronically driven lives I think many people have lost a connection to regular old relaxation and family time.
JB:How long do you see yourself continuing this blog ? 1yr-10 yrs?
Frum:My audience is changing slowly, as I become more known so it continues to develop into something different all the time. I always think I am going to run out of things to say and suddenly I have a flood of things to write. Its almost 2 years and realistically I have no clue. I have some cool stuff coming up and am starting to collaborate with several popular Jewish personalities so who knows where I will end up. But realistically I would like it to become a full time job.
JB: Do you have a favorite fan? Have you been subjected to any stalkers?
Frum:Wow favorite fan, I get a lot of emails saying how awesome I am. Commenters come and go, I will have one person commenting for 6 months straight and suddenly they are gone. These commenters are usually women by the way. Some guy just contacted me the other day, he is the director of a large Jewish political not-profit in NYC and he says he's been reading my stuff since I started and loves me. In two weeks time he got me a spot on some cable TV show, and wants to write me up for some of his newspaper connections. Is he my biggest fan?
Stalkers is an interesting subject. I do have stalkers, people will stalk in various ways, usually through comments and then I'll get messages on facebook and if I'm on frumster they will find me- but specific cases are way too many- I have them and usually they are quite fun.
JB:What new ideas do you see yourself putting forth on your blog other than your videos?
JB: What is the coolest place you traveled to and why?
Frum:By far the Yukon Territory in Canada, last September I drove with two friends from NY to Alaska with we spent time driving and hiking in the Yukon. I am completely fascinated with remote and rural areas. Prior to the building of the Alaska Highway in 1942- there was no road connecting this area to the outside world. Just the vastness and beauty of the land. They have towns that are only accessible in the winter when the rivers freeze and they make ice roads. Its so cool to be in an English speaking country on the same continent as NY and be so distant from the lives we know. 200 miles between gas stations, grizzly bears and hiking with my shotgun were also exciting.
JB:Have you ever been to Israel and if so tell us a bit about your experiences.
Frum:I have been in Israel twice, first time on a Hillel Birthright trip with the University of Rochester in 2002 and then again a couple years later when I took off 5 months to learn at Ohr Someyach. I love Israel and will undoubtedly live there someday- who knows when. I brought my mountain bike and saw the country from the 10 mph perspective, I went on rides with random riders through ruins and the desert and saw a lot, learned very little. I look at all my experiences through that of my bike, I used to ride to the kotel at 2 in the morning to daven maariv- its eerie let me tell you. I especially liked staying in Chevron during the whole Chayei Sarah weekend events- camped out the Baruch Goldstien memorial park- found that kind of ironic. Oh and the food- one must not forget the food- luckily I rode a lot- or else I would have blown into a blimp- like the first year seiminary girls do.
JB:What Jewish Music are you currently listening to?
Frum:Well I'll tell you I just got the AKA Pella adaptations album and am very impressed- just wrote a review. I also just got Yossi Greens The 8th Note and its wonderful, besides for that I am addicted to Avaraham Fried and the Marvelous Middos Machine of all things.
JB:Your current favorite Jewish Solo Artist is?
Frum:Well in terms of innovative and up and coming I would have to say Mendy Pellin, he's funny and completely kosher and appeals to both kid and adults. I think Matisyahu and Y-Love are amazing thing for Jews as a whole, because they allow Jews to feel comfortable being Jews. It makes more people want to take off their baseball caps and don yarmulkes.
Frum:I don't think I get many comments for the amount of traffic I have and I attribute this to the fact that I rarely comment on other blogs- therefore most of my comments come from people outside the blogging field. If I get over 20 comments on a post its amazing- the big J-bloggers I see getting 200-300 comments per post every day. Right now average about 800-1000 unique hits per day with about double that in page views. You know my traffic has been pretty steady. I do remember this one day I received almost 2000 unique hits but couldn't figure out why- it was inexplicable.
7:08 AM | Permalink |
6/18/2007
Jewish Blogmeister Interviews Dafnotes!
JB: How did you get into blogging?
DafNotes:Last summer, after I finished teaching, I was off for two weeks before starting my camp job, and I said to my brother: “why don't we start writing on the daily Daf, and give everyone a chance to contribute a little?” Daf Yomi was always about “togetherness amongst Klal Yisroel." Having a Daf Yomi site where people can "chap" a bite of learning during lunch or by a break, thus inspiring them throughout the day, was something special that we wanted to be a part of. We currently have regular Daf Yomi learners who visit the blog daily and we have those that are interested in specific topics. We even have people that drop by who are not currently studying the Daf, but nonetheless, they enjoy learning and are interested in the issues discussed. The blogger community (including Mr. Bagel, Jameel, Bennett from Daled Amos, Soccer Dad, Rafi G., Jewish Blogmeister, Ezzie, Seraphic Secrets, Irina, Kasamba, Batya, The Way she Writes and others -sorry if I missed anyone) is extremely helpful for us amateurs, who were not trained in html codes, widgets and trackbacks.
JB: Tell us a little bit about your background.
JB: Besides discussing the Daf, is there anything else you deal with?
DafNotes: See above. I also say an early morning in depth "Dirshu shiur" to men before they go to work and I say a Daf-Yomi shiur in the evening. I take bechinos every month on the Daf Yomi and I have other study partners as well. In between, I write the Daf Notes, respond to comments, update my blog and help my wonderful wife take care of our family.
JB:At times the daf's discussion may be a little dry, how do you make it interesting?
DafNotes:I always look for a Torah discussion relevant to the Daf that will be interesting to all the serious Daf Yomi learners, the occasional learners and the one's that are just getting started. I look for stories related to the Daf, and issues that pertain to many areas of the Talmud. Every once in a while I will write about a somewhat controversial topic, which can be beneficial.
JB:Are you the only blog that does the daf?
DafNotes: There was one before me; David G. from A Daf a Day. He had stopped and I asked him some advice before I began. Since then, another one started called Heoros on the Daf from Avi Lebovitz, a Rosh Kollel in Palo Alto, California. His discussions are deeper and more intricate than mine.
JB:What's your favorite daf?
DafNotes:The Gemora tells us that we are not supposed to choose one portion over the other. Every day, I write over most of the Daf in English in a manner that it can be self-understood without the text in front of you, besides writing a short discussion on the Daf. It is easier to write when it is a halacha topic, but the discussions can be easier when it is a Homiletical Gemora.
JB:How long have you been involved in daf yomi?
DafNotes: I began twenty years ago, but it was sporadic. I started learning it b'chavrusah approximately ten years ago, and I have been saying a shiur for eight years.
JB:Your Blog is very well put together, did you do that yourself?
DafNotes: Thank you. I initially designed it myself, and then I had input from other bloggers on ways to enhance it. Recently, the blog took a facelift and all the credit for that must go to Mr. Bagel. He wanted to see a Torah blog have the appearance of a top-notch blog, and I must say that he's an expert and he succeeded in his mission. I can't thank him enough.
JB:What do you find most inspiring about blogging the Daf?
DafNotes: All the Gedolim always talk about the connection to your fellows that is created by learning the Daf. Rabbi Levin always talks about the people he sat next to on an airplane and they studied the daf together. With blogging, we have this experience every day. Like I said before, all types of people stop by. We get inspired from the interest that everyone has. People in all types of businesses take a break in middle of their hectic day to see what's cooking on the daf and to see if they have anything to add to the discussion.
JB:Do you see yourself continuing this blog for a long time?
DafNotes: With G-d's help I hope so. The next cycle should be easier.
JB:Any last words to our reading audience?
DafNotes: Firstly, I'd like to thank Hashem for giving me the opportunity to disseminate Torah to all over the world. Secondly, I'd like to express my deepest sense of gratitude and appreciation to my wife, Tzippy, for putting up with me and all my projects, and for offering her words of encouragement when things are going tough. My children pick up the slack for me in taking care of the house, and they are most helpful. I thank my brother Ben from topofthelinepromotions.com for taking on this project with me, and for all his assistance in editing and researching now. I can't forget my brother Motti from Petach Tikvah, Israel, who controls the Midrashiya server that delivers the Daf to everyone mailbox every day. I thank the rest of my family, personal friends, helpful bloggers and everyone for contributing to this Kiddush Hashem. Thank you and may we merit the coming of Mashiach speedily.
Labels: daf, dafnotes, jblogger, jewish, jewish blogmeister, judaism
11:13 PM | Permalink |
12/19/2006
J Blogger Interview: LakeVent
JBM: What are some of the best things about living in Lakewood?
LakeVent:The air in Lakewood is fresher and cleaner than in big cities. In Lakewood people actually know each other and care for one another, something you don't always have in New York or other big cities. There is no shortage of Kosher food and services in Lakewood. Besides for certain times in certain areas there usually isn't much of a traffic or parking problem in Lakewood, and when I get home at night I have a driveway to park my cars! Not to mention I have grass and trees near my house.
JBM: what is your favorite "chumra"?LakeVent:I am not into chumras. I have a hard enough time doing the things I am supposed to do without the added burden of extra chumras. But i do try to say the "Zayins" in krias shma with extra PiZZaZZ to outdo the brisker sitting next to me in shul (10:00 am minyan of course)
JBM: If you could change anything about Lakewood what would it be?
LakeVent:I would have people care more about the character of others and care less about the outward appearance of everyone else. Unfortunately in Lakewood many people rush to judge everyone else based on shirt/hat color etc.
JBM:Tell us a bit about your family any kids etc..
LakeVent:Well, I cannot tell you much without revealing a little about my identity (which I must be careful to protect, otherwise the Lakewood Internet Police will be after me). Let me just say that I have a nice wife and beautiful children.
JBM: Has anyone in Lakewood figured out who you are?
LakeVent:I hope not.
JBM: You are currently listening to what Jewish Album?
LakeVent:The new Uncle Moishy CD is currently playing in my car (my kids won't let me listen to anything else). But when they aren't looking I am listening to the new Shlomo Simcha Cd.
JBM: You mention on your blog that it is a kind of therapy for you. Do you still find it to be the case?
LakeVent:Absolutely. Not every time I post is this the case, but many times i do post for the therapeutic aspect of blogging.
JBM:Who is your favorite maggid shiur?
LakeVent:In Lakewood? I would have to say Rabbi Simcha Bunim Kohen. In general? I enjoy Rabbi Tatz.
JBM: When will you continue your "Life in Kollel" story?
LakeVent:I get a lot of emails asking me to continue. Honestly, I think I made my point with the first installation, and there really isn't any point in doing part 2. What good can come out from continuing the story? The idea has been spoken, the actual story needs not to be told again.
JBM:Do you actually learn in Kollel?
LakeVent:No, I actually work for a living.
JBM:If you remember I had a post about a fellow who goes around Lakewood selling "ban the internet" bumper sticker for $5. Have you ever seen that man?
LakeVent:I have never seen that man nor have I ever seen such a bumper sticker. The most common Bumper sticker in Lakewood is the Oorah green ribbon which for some reason people feel possessed to place on their cars.
JBM:What's the funniest thing about living in Lakewood
LakeVent:Good question. Never really found anything about living here"funny" per se. I guess the fact that people can dedicate their lives to dreaming up chumras and ways to outdo their neighbors frumkeit is pretty funny.
JBM:Are there any other Lakewood bloggers?
LakeVent:There are lots of Lakewood bloggers. Many of them identify themselves as such, but many hide the fact that they are from Lakewood. Some simply don't post where they are from (but it is self evident many times) and some actually post their hometown as NY, Monsey or some other heavily Jewish city. Why someone would hide that fact is beyond me.
JBM:If you could be any type of black hat, what would it be.....
LakeVent:I don't particularly like black hats, but if I had to choose one it would definitely be the Hamburg! They are so cool.
JBM:What kind of wicks do you use on your menorah?
LakeVent: I am old fashioned when it comes to these things. I don't use the ready made pre-wicked (is that a word?) kind. I roll my own cotton and place them in metal holders. They don't burn as nicely or evenly but I enjoy "doing it yourself"
12:44 PM | Permalink |
12/14/2006
12/13/2006
Jewish Blogmeister's J-Blogger Interviews
Life-In-Israel
Life-Of-Rubin
SerandEz
Bagel Blogger
6:43 PM | Permalink |
::::::::::Links::::::::::


::Upcoming Interviews::
:::::Past Interviews:::::
The Life-Of-Rubin Interviews
Send Your Questions!
If you would like to be interviewed or would like to suggest a blogger to be interviewed or have questions for upcoming J-Bloggers email me.
Links
Jewish MusicEntertainment
Free Jewish Sheet Music
Lowell Milken Archive
Merchant Services
Recent Comments



