We know you're sitting on the edge of your seat, biting your nails, wondering who took the cake in this year's JVibe Music Awards. We watched each artist's fan base mobilize and change the polls almost hourly. We sweated as newer artists gave Matisyahu and Miri Ben-Ari a run for their talent. We covered our eyes as Rick Recht and Danny Nichols battled it out for the Lifetime Achievement Award. It took all month, but after tallying over 1,300 votes, we're ready to present the best of the best.

Best Jewish Album
If you had asked us several years ago whether we thought a Chasidic guy with a mic could rhyme, or look cool, or sell records, we would have laughed. When his second album soared to the top of the charts within days of being released in March 2006, we realized that it was no joke.

And the winner is...

Matisyahu: Youth
Matisyahu's birth name is actually Matthew Paul Miller. “Matisyahu” is the Hebrew for Matthew, but the reggae artist's original Hebrew name given to him as a baby was Feivish Hershel! http://www.matismusic.com

Runner up:
Dan Nichols: Be Strong

New Artist Most Likely to Stick Around
We realize that not many of you have heard of these guys yet, but many voters did the research and discovered some new musical gems in the process. When these artists make it big, you can tell people that you knew them way back when.

And the winner is...

Golem
Golem combines the sounds of old-world klezmer with modern-day rock. The six-member New York-based band can now be seen performing all over the country. http://www.golemrocks.com

Runner up:
Y-Love

Best Jewish Singer/Group You Wish Would Refer More to Being Jewish
Okay, so maybe this category has little to do with talent. But in the spirit of our Pride issue, we thought it would only be fair to expect more shout-outs to the tribe from these already accomplished artists—and you agreed.

And the winner is...

Jack Black
This all-around performer is best known for his comedy/rock duo Tenacious D. Just this past year, Black starred in the film Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny with his band partner Kyle Gass. http://www.tenaciousd.com

Runner up:
Lenny Kravitz

Best Israeli Artist/Group
The Holy Land may seem far away, but listening to some good Israeli music can make you feel like you're right back in the Old City. Well, maybe more like a Tel Aviv nightclub, but still. You told us which artists keep it rockin' stateside.

And the winner is...

Miri Ben-Ari
Known as the Hip-Hop Violinist, this innovative artist was born in Tel Aviv and was trained from a young age as a classical violinist. She has collaborated with hip-hop superstars including Kanye West and Wyclef Jean. http://www.miriben-ari.com

Runner Up:
Ivri Lider

Most Innovative Music
There's something about these artists that makes them...well, different. Some of them take wardrobe to a new level of craziness, and others evoke the sounds that your bubbe may have jammed to back in the day. But in the end, a familiar face took it home.

And the winner is...

Matisyahu
That's right, Matis took home two JMAs this year. He dominates in this category as an artist who takes Torah and sets it to the most block-rocking beats this side of Crown Heights. http://www.matismusic.com

Runner Up:
Idan Raichel

Lifetime Achievement Award
This race was by far the most exciting, with voters countering leading nominees and winners changing daily. But we guess that's what happens when you put the biggest names in Jewish music head-to-head.

And the winner is...

Rick Recht
Rick Recht is one of the top singer/songwriters of Jewish music, performing more than 150 concerts each year. Recht lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and two children, where he serves as Artist-in-Residence at United Hebrew Congregation. http://www.rickrecht.com

Runner Up:
Dan Nichols and E18teen