AJewishStar finalists

After keeping the Jewish music industry and thousands of others in suspense, judges of A Jewish Star singing competition Avraham Fried, Michael Sojcher and Mendy Pellin met at the offices of COLlive in Brooklyn, NY. Their goal was to winnow down the contestants ahead of the March 7 Soul II Soul concert.

During the audition period, some 50 contestants from around the world were put to the test sending in a video of their solo performances, with or without background music. 26 auditions made it through and were previewed on AJewishStar.com. Until January 24, 2010, it was up to you to decide who would garner a spot in the Top 10 semifinalists.

61,893 votes were cast and here are the Top 10 (according to rank):

1: Choni Grunblatt
2: Avraham Ohayon
3: Shuki Sadon
4: Choni Teitelbaum
5: Binyamin Moshe
6: Boruch Sholom Blesofsky
7: Nissen Brenenson
8: Gershon Shapiro
9: Shmuli Stiefel
10: Moshe Lehr

These names were revealed to the judges at the Jan. 25th meeting by Yehuda Ceitlin, Editor-in-Chief of COLlive.com, without specifying in what order they were voted in.

In good spirits, the judges watched the auditions and were asked to rate each of the semifinalists with a score from 1 to 5. They also asked to give their take on these auditions. Each drew on their expertise and experience; Fried, as a music superstar, Sojcher, as the leader of the renowned Neshoma Orchestra and Pellin (joining via video conference from Los Angeles), as an entertainer and comedian - to make the decision.

The judges' Top 3 will take the stage on Sunday, March 7, to perform live for the judges and for the audience at Brooklyn School for Music & Theatre.

And the Top 3 Finalists Are... from COLlive.com on Vimeo.

(via Gruntig!)

Top 10 from the AJewishStar competition

I hear...

A Jewish Star: 10 Semi-Finalists from COLlive.com on Vimeo.

Window in Heaven Contest - WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

After listening again and again through all of the entries. A winner has been decided.

The winner of the Window in Heaven contest & a brand new iPod touch is...

SIMCHA LEINER

Listen to his version below!

One behalf of myself and Shea Rubenstein, we'd like to thank all of the people who contributed their own version of Window in Heaven. Stay tuned in to JMDerech for more contests in the future!

Window in Heaven Contest - 48 Hour Extension!

By Popular Demand - 48 Hour Extension!!!

Entries due by midnight - Monday night!

See the details of the contest here.

Win a FREE iPod Touch from Mostlymusic.com!

http://www.mostlymusic.com/contest.html

TIME RUNNING OUT! Window In Heaven Contest - Win an iPod Touch

Poster by AchduStudios (achdustudios@gmail.com)

Announcing the Window In Heaven Contest
We want to hear your version!

Send in your best recording of your very own "Window in Heaven" clip
&
The winner receives an iPod Touch!!!!

Download the "Window in Heaven" music here
http://www.divshare.com/download/9425715-137

Shea Rubenstein's Version

JMDerech's Version

For questions or to send all entries, email jmderech@gmail.com
Entries due by the last night of Chanukah - December 19th.

NOTE for Beginners: Download the Audacity program here and import the Window In Heaven music into audacity and start recording your voice over it!

Lyrics:
Early days of younger years,
Full of childrens' joys and fears,
Whether school or home, always felt alone,
In a way, what's a child to do?

Days and months went rushing by,
Bar Mitzvah in a suit and tie,
And my loss still there, much too deep to share,
In a way, what's a child to do?

But I know, you were there the whole time,
Looking down, from a window in heaven,
And your touch, like the gentlest breeze,
Saying, I will remember you son

Even though you could not shake my hand,
You looked down from a window in heaven,
And your touch, like the whisper of wings,
Saying, I will be there for you son, in a way

Milestones of life flew by,
Couldn't help but wonder why,
You had to go away, I never heard you say, "oh my son",
What's a child to do?

At the Chupa we stood as one,
Being watched by everyone,
And the tears that flow, both joy and sorrow,
For the One, who's not here with me now

But I know, you were there the whole time,
Through each step you were guiding me forward,
And your touch, like a breath of fresh air,
Saying, I'll always love you my son

Even though you could not walk me down,
I could tell you were standing beside me,
And your touch, like the wisdom of old,
Saying, I am so proud of you son, in a way

Now I hold him tenderly,
My baby son, for all to see,
I am overcome, by my actions done, today
What's a child to do?

My son will bear your name with pride,
Holding Zeide's torch inside,
And the part of me, which was so empty,
Is now full, as I reach out to you

And I know you were there the whole time,
Looking down, from your place in Shomayim,
And your touch, like a magical spell,
Is embracing me tightly right now

Even though he was not on your knees,
You were here, on a visit from heaven,
And your touch, like the sweetest of wine; saying
There'll always be, a part of me, in you my son

Window In Heaven contest - Win an iPod Touch!

Poster by AchduStudios (achdustudios@gmail.com)

Announcing the Window In Heaven Contest
We want to hear your version!

Send in your best recording of your very own "Window in Heaven" clip
&
The winner receives an iPod Touch!!!!

Download the "Window in Heaven" music here
http://www.divshare.com/download/9425715-137

Shea Rubenstein's Version

JMDerech's Version

For questions or to send all entries, email jmderech@gmail.com
Entries due by the last night of Chanukah - December 19th.

NOTE for Beginners: Download the Audacity program here and import the Window In Heaven music into audacity and start recording your voice over it!

Lyrics:
Early days of younger years,
Full of childrens' joys and fears,
Whether school or home, always felt alone,
In a way, what's a child to do?

Days and months went rushing by,
Bar Mitzvah in a suit and tie,
And my loss still there, much too deep to share,
In a way, what's a child to do?

But I know, you were there the whole time,
Looking down, from a window in heaven,
And your touch, like the gentlest breeze,
Saying, I will remember you son

Even though you could not shake my hand,
You looked down from a window in heaven,
And your touch, like the whisper of wings,
Saying, I will be there for you son, in a way

Milestones of life flew by,
Couldn't help but wonder why,
You had to go away, I never heard you say, "oh my son",
What's a child to do?

At the Chupa we stood as one,
Being watched by everyone,
And the tears that flow, both joy and sorrow,
For the One, who's not here with me now

But I know, you were there the whole time,
Through each step you were guiding me forward,
And your touch, like a breath of fresh air,
Saying, I'll always love you my son

Even though you could not walk me down,
I could tell you were standing beside me,
And your touch, like the wisdom of old,
Saying, I am so proud of you son, in a way

Now I hold him tenderly,
My baby son, for all to see,
I am overcome, by my actions done, today
What's a child to do?

My son will bear your name with pride,
Holding Zeide's torch inside,
And the part of me, which was so empty,
Is now full, as I reach out to you

And I know you were there the whole time,
Looking down, from your place in Shomayim,
And your touch, like a magical spell,
Is embracing me tightly right now

Even though he was not on your knees,
You were here, on a visit from heaven,
And your touch, like the sweetest of wine; saying
There'll always be, a part of me, in you my son