[HANASHIR:13115] Re: Josh Nelson

[Judah Cohen <jcohen...>]

Hi, Rosalie.  I actually knew Josh when we were in high school.  He was at
the Newark High School for the Performing Arts (I believe--not quite sure of
the name), and at the time came to my synagogue with some frequency (Beth El
in South Orange, NJ).  [I should add here that I attended a different high
school, so we didn't have that connection.]  We also met at several social
events.  Back then (the late 1980s) he was quite a talent and very outgoing;
and could play a great gospel piano.  I never really got around to asking
how he developed his interest, or even what his background was; but he was
very interested in Judaism, wore a Moroccan-style kippah, and had openly
expressed interest in becoming a cantor (though it was clear the "HUC-type"
cantor would not be the endpoint of his training either in vocal style or
Judaic interest).  Nearly everyone I spoke with, including my parents,
thought of him as a wonderful person, though admittedly I was a little
apprehensive because his personality had been *so* effusive.

The next time I saw him was at the Maplewood/South Orange First Night
celebration in 1992(?).  By that point, he had gained some significant fame
in Sweden; I can distinctly remember, moreover, that his set was much more
in the classic gospel vein.  His performance, moreover, seemed almost
spiritually otherworldly in its inward focus, and quite calm on the outside.
I thought about approaching him afterward, but he seemed quite distant, so I
declined.  

That's what I know of him.  It's great to hear about this film you
mention--how is it available?

Hope all is well with you.
Judah.

> From: "Rosalie Boxt" <cantorboxt (at) templeemanuelmd(dot)org>
> Reply-To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 10:35:52 -0500
> To: <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
> Subject: [HANASHIR:13103] Josh Nelson
> 
> Have any of you heard of Josh Nelson, or seen a video produced by Swedish TV
> about him?  He's a black Jew, who sings gospel in churches and synagogues --
> lives in Newark, teaches at one of our shuls in New Jersey --- I saw this
> extraordinary video about him .... interested in his religious faith, but
> besides that his sense of gospel and the Jewish community was fascinating
> ... anyone know more about him?
> 
> Warmly
> Rosalie
> ----------------------------------------------------
> Rosalie Boxt, Cantor
> Temple Emanuel, Kensington, MD
> 301-942-2000
> cantorboxt (at) templeemanuelmd(dot)org
> 
> 

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