The problem is that American Jewish culture is solely based on synagogue life, which promotes convention and schmaltz as Jewish identity. It is BORING and it is also stunted, uncreative, and very simplistic.
Matisyahu is a prime example of this. Yeah, it`s a cute gimmick, but it`s just mimicking a particular genre as sheer formula and adding some Jewish lyrics to it. There are some interesting Jewish groups out there, like Pharaoh`s Daughter, but they`re not as well known.
As a side note, I have had Israeli friends who live in America who face the same dilemma with their kids. The problem with many popular Israeli musicians is that they are still wholly secular and many don`t have especially Jewish content to their music. |
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