[HANASHIR:1867] Re: Spielberg's Insult to Jewish Music

[Judy Caplan Ginsburgh <jerd...>]

I have just visited the Prince of Egypt web site.  The one Israeli artist used
is Ofra Haza.  So, there is not a total void.  I agree that it would have been
nice to have included or asked some of our wonderful contemporary Jewish
composers to be involved, but if you want the honest truth --- I do not think
Dreamworks knows about them.  It is our job to do more to let the public know
that these musicians exist.  That is part of the reason why I founded Jewish
Entertainment Resources.  We are working on this, but it does not happen in a
day or even a few years.  It is a process.

I noticed that the purpose behind the two other albums associated with the film
-- the Inspirational one and the Nashville one is to feature VERY well known and
loved performers.  This is a publicity thing to get people to buy the music.  If
they had used our Jewish contemporary composers and songwriters, it may have
been more "authentic", but it would not have sold as many CDs.  Now, I am not
saying I agree with this, but the bottom line, whether we like it or not, is
that money talks and makes the final decision.

I also saw the preview at CAJE 23.  I was thrilled to have it "unveiled" at this
Conference and although there are inaccuracies, I and many others had tears
streaming down our cheeks.  It is a touching film and it is up to us as parents
and teachers to gently explain the inaccuracies to our children.  All movies
enhance things and change things to make the plot more interesting, etc.  This
is a fact of life that most children know --whether we agree with it or not.

As Rich said, it is a way of sharing our tradition with the broader world.  I
think this movie will go a long way toward sharing our heritage with non-Jews
and I am proud to support anything that will do this.  I think Moses, Prince of
Egypt can be a terrific vehicle for conversations and learning between religions
and also remind non-Jews of their Jewish roots.

Judy : )

Judy Caplan Ginsburgh, Award-winning Singer/Music Specialist
       http://www.ax.centuryinter.net/jewishentertainment/judy/index.html
Director:  Jewish Entertainment Resources
       http://www.ax.centuryinter.net/jewishentertainment/index.html
Cantorial Soloist, Touro Synagogue, New Orleans, LA
Past Conference Chair:  23rd Conference on Alternatives in Jewish Education