[HANASHIR:1860] Re: Spielberg's Insult to Jewish Music

[MARS <regnadk...>]

Adrian --

Don't you think it's a bit strong to say that a movie about Moses by a
studio owned and operated by 3 Jews (Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen are
all Jewish, I believe) represents the "Christian community stealing our
Jewish heritage?"

The article about the movie in the Washington Post made it clear that Rabbis
were consulted about the film, as well as other religious leaders.  And
although I, too, thought it quirky that Dreamworks was releasing 2 albums
"inspired by the soundtrack," one featuring country and western artists and
the other featuring gospel/R&B artists, the official soundtrack album
features the music of Zimmer and Schwartz (I would guess that Schwartz is
Jewish, but it would only be a guess).

I guess that, absent more information, I have a hard time working up to the
level of indignation you obviously feel.  I look forward to hearing what
others think.

Rob Weissman


-----Original Message-----
From: Adrian A. Durlester <durleste (at) home(dot)com>
To: Hanashir (E-mail) <hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org>
Date: Sunday, November 29, 1998 11:22 AM
Subject: [HANASHIR:1858] Spielberg's Insult to Jewish Music


>To all my fellow Jewish Musicians:
>
>Another slap in the face for Jewish musicians everywhere.
>
>In an article in Nashville's "The Tennessean" on Thursday, it was reported
>that Country and Christian musicians had recorded tie-in CDs (under direct
>connection with the film's producer, Dreamworks) for the soon to be
released
>"Prince of Egypt," an animated adaptation of the story of Moshe Rabbeinu.
>The film's publicists proudly proclaim there will be no fast-food tie-ins.
>The article states how many Xtian authorities were consulted so that a
Moses
>acceptable to Xtians would be created. (Jewish experts were consulted also,
>but no mention was made of this in the article.)
>
>This summer at CAJE, under pressure, I reluctantly relinquished what was
>supposed to have been 30 minutes time (and wound up being over an hour) in
>the CAJE closing night program  to a publicist from Dreamworks who brought
>previews of the film and seemed anxious to court CAJE and the Jewish
>community.
>
>This being the case, I have to ask: why were NO JEWISH ARTISTS asked to
>participate in writing and recording a tie-in CD?
>
>I believe this matter is worthy of a letter/email writing campaign to Mr.
>Spielberg and Dreamworks. I will research the appropriate addresses and
post
>them to the list.
>
>I understand that we represent a small market, but as Moses is OURS first,
>and Mr. Spielberg purports to increasing Jewish ties in his life, it is an
>insult to have ignored Jewish musicians.
>
>Here is a chance for Mr. Spielberg to demonstrate his support for his own
>people. The Xtian community continues to steal our Jewish heritage from us,
>but by bit. It is time to stem the tide.
>
>Adrian
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Adrian A. Durlester  -  durleste (at) home(dot)com
>http://members.home.net/durleste/
>Student, Vanderbilt University Divinity School
>http://divinity.lib.vanderbilt.edu/vds/vds-home.htm
>Music Director, Congregation Micah, Nashville, TN
>http://www.micahnash.org/
>Home phone (615) 646-9788
>Nextel cel-phone (615) 207-2661
>You can page me from http://www.nextel.com
>List-Owner for hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Co-Owner for L-Torah (at) 
>shamash(dot)org
>http://uahc.org/hanashir
>Editor, Bim Bam (for Torah Aura Productions)
>http://www.torahaura.com/
>Evening Program Chair, CAJE 23 - San Antonio TX, Aug 9-13, 1998
>http://www.caje.org
>Alternate Email: aad (at) iname(dot)com  adriand (at) aol(dot)com
>
>
>