October 2, 2008 | 3:18 pm

VideoGuide to L.A. - Volume 1 - looking the part

Posted by Jay Firestone

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In this how-to style segment, I reveal the most important aspects of visiting Los Angeles: fitting in. Because nobody wants to look like an outsider or worse—a tourist—I’ll teach you the secrets of blending into the L.A. scene. And in no time, you’ll be wearing a T-shirt and flip-flops as you sip on a tall caffeinated beverage.

Click here for a full schedule.

September 25, 2008 | 2:05 pm

My VideoGuide to Los Angeles

Posted by Jay Firestone

VideoJew’s VideoGuide to Los Angeles trailer

The Fall Season: VideoJew’s VideoGuide to Los Angeles

In the past year, under my online video persona, VideoJew, I’ve explored much of the Los Angeles Jewish community and shared it with the YouTube-viewing nation.

You’ve seen me eating at a kosher Subway, playing mah-jongg and conducting a blind matzah taste test. But after a successful year of VideoJudaism, I decided to devote my next season to my experience as a Los Angeles newcomer.

When I first moved here after graduating from the University of Wisconsin two years ago, I felt completely overwhelmed. Busy people, heavy traffic, distant neighborhoods all contributed to my troubled adjustment to post-academic life.

Burdened by difficulty finding a job, buying a car and meeting other young Jews, I soon realized that life in the real world was very real. And with my mother a full 2,500 miles away, for the first time in my life I had no one to tell me what to do or where to go.

Thankfully, after two years in Los Angeles, I’ve finally adjusted to the lifestyle and culture that West Coast living affords. I found a job, bought a car and even met several Jews who are happy to tolerate me (most of these without the help of my mother). Looking back, I now recognize that my transition to West Coast living would have been much smoother if I’d had a mentor—or even a manual.

So I’ve decided to offer help to others who feel as lost as I once did ... with my VideoGuide to Los Angeles, launching online today.

In this five-episode handbook, revealed over the next several weeks, I’ll walk you—the newcomer (or your memory of yourself as one)—through everything you need to know to make the most of your Los Angeles experience. Each episode is guaranteed to mentally and physically (though, not legally) naturalize the new West Coast immigrant.

It doesn’t really matter if you’re new to the city, just visiting or have lived here all your life, anyone can benefit from this guide.

Follow along each week for an all-new installment.

Introduction—Online Sept. 26
Like any manual, VideoJew’s VideoGuide to Los Angeles begins with a short but concise introduction, sure to prepare you for the upcoming schedule and give you a sneak peek at some of the exciting scenes to come.

Click here for a complete list of Volumes 1-5.

posted by VideoJew Jay Firestone

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August 7, 2008 | 10:47 pm

Exclusive VIDEO - Vigil at Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles

Posted by Jay Firestone

One day before the scheduled opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Jewish World Watch (JWW) hosted a vigil outside the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles to urge the Chinese government to act on behalf of Darfur.

To read my full article at JewishJournal.com, click here.

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August 7, 2008 | 1:02 pm

Karate moms

Posted by Jay Firestone

This is hot.  But it’s also extremely scary.  As much as I’m in favor of the idea of self-defense, there’s something very disturbing about a class comprised solely of women (think Stepford Wives 2).  While every woman should learn self defense, do they all have to learn it together? 

Maybe they’re Shomer Negiah.

Of course, they could just be training to play foot soldiers in a new ‘Ninja Turtles’ movie.

They also may need to learn more than one move.

In any case, these women rock for taking charge - GO MOMS!!!

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August 6, 2008 | 8:07 pm

The Daily Show ripped me off!

Posted by Jay Firestone

I hate to start my blog off like this, but its necessary.  The Daily Show with Jon Stewart totally ripped me off. As many of the VideoJew watchers know, I’m a huge fan of the elderly Jewish scene.  I’ve learned Mah Jongg and even attended the 94th Annual Hadassah convention (see VideoJew Plays His Hits).

Now, let me preface – I love The Daily Show.  In many ways, it is an inspiration to my work, but recently I have felt violated. 

In his travels to South Florida to ‘research’ Barack Obama’s appeal to elderly Jews, newcomer correspondent Wyatt Cenac stole my muse. Unfortunately, the fun doesn’t stop there.  This past June, The Daily Show also seems to have ripped off a joke from my colleague Brad Greenberg and his The God Blog.

In my opinion, that’s comedic trespassing. 

However, I feel compelled to say that Cenac actually did a great job in capturing the ideals and traits of older Jews.  For that I respect him and look forward to watching his future clips.  I just pray he doesn’t decide to go to the kosher Subway on Pico.

Wyatt Cenac borrows VideoJew’s love for elderly Jews.

VideoJew learns Mah Jongg

VideoJew does Hadassah

VideoJew also covers the presidential primary election.

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August 1, 2008 | 9:04 pm

VideoJew is here

Posted by Jay Firestone

Finally…VideoJew is here.  More posts coming soon.

- VideoJew

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