Need some needling? There’s an app for that
Feeling neglected, like maybe you’re not getting enough noodges from your Jewish mother? Turns out, there’s an app for that.
In fact, Jewishly speaking, there are oodles of apps, including dozens — if not hundreds — of apps for everything from siddurim to kosher restaurant finders.
Here are a few that we thought were pretty clever.
1. Jewish Mother
Loaded with phrases chock full of familiar sentiments such as, “This phone could also be used to call me, you know,” this app can be tailored to nag its user based on gender and marital status.
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
$0.99
2. Yenta
Described by its creators as “serendipity at its best,” Yenta is a locator app that notifies a Jewish single when there is another Jewish single in the vicinity. “[W]hether at school, work or local hangout you can instantly see who is Jewish, single and wants to meet near you. And when you change your location, a new set of singles appears based on their proximity to you so never miss a potential match!”
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Free
3. Shofar
Just in time for the High Holy Days, now you can listen to the sounds of the shofar from the convenience of your mobile device. Choose from Tekiah, Shavarim, Teruah or Tekiah Gedolah.
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Free
4. Mikvah — Jewish Family
This app includes a GPS-based database of mikva’ot to facilitate locating one while traveling; a vestos or taharas haMishpacha calendar to aid in the process of keeping track of pure and unpure days; and family purity guidelines.
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
$7.99
5. Jewish Units — Biblical, Talmudic & Halachic Units of Conversion
Ok, this may not be something you will use on a daily basis, but when you do need it, it sure will be nice to have it. This app quickly converts ancient measures of length, area, volume, time and currency into modern measures. Let’s face it: there may be a time when you just have to know how many minutes there are in a chelek.
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
$4.99
6. Shabbat Alert! The Kosher Alarm Clock
Download this app before sunset on a Friday, and never again be late for shul. This app allows you to set up alarms that will ring only once — there is no snooze function, so there is no need to turn off the app. “It’s loud enough to wake you up but quiet enough to keep the household asleep,” says its creator’s description. Multiple alerts can be set in advance, notifying you when its time for mincha or havdala as well.
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Free
7. Jewish Quotes
From the Rambam to Woody Allen, wisdom from our sages can come in handy. This app contains a collection of over 3,000 quotes from the Torah, Talmud, rabbis, celebrities and other noteworthy members of the Jewish community. Also included is a feature to add personal favorite inspirational quotes to your own list.
For iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
Free
8. Sephardi Cooking
While there are many other Jewish cooking apps, this app, scheduled to launch on Aug. 15, will be “the first to focus on the Sephardi palate,” according to The Jewish Week. Recipes will range from those perfect for everyday meals, to those more festively appropriate for holidays. Some short instructional videos will be available in addition to more conventional directions.
For iPhone; plans under way for iPad and Android versions.
$4.99 for 150 recipes. A free trial version with 10 recipes will also be available.
(Toby Tabachnick can be reached at tobyt@thejewishchronicle.net.)
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