Re: singer/wiener

[Kame'a Media <media...>]

Steven M. Singer wrote:
> >
> > On Wed, 16 Dec 1998, robert wiener wrote:
> >
> > > How does one get a "Jewish musical soul"?  Is it acquired at birth
> > > (genetic)?  Or is developed through exposure to Jewish culture (learned)?
> > > Is it passed on in the blood?  Or will the children of assimilated Jews 
> > > not
> > > have a Jewish musical soul?
> >
> > Great questions, Bob.  I don't think that I have a good answer for you,
> > though.  It seems that *in spite* of the disappearance of observance,
> > lack of Jewish education (in the home and out), and being overwhelmed by
> > everything NOT-Jewish in the diaspora,.. our music, media,
> > discourse... continue to have pervasive expressions of Jewish
> > religious-ideas, heritage, humor and perspective.  Why is that?  Well,
> > maybe its due to (what's left of) our connection to our rich heritage.
> > Can it be adopted?  Sure, I guess so.  However, the question of whether
> > this "vein" of Jewishness will continue to run through American secular
> > society -- in anything but a "Seinfeld" way -- will depend on what each of
> > us does with the gift that our children may provide for our future.  Their
> > education, their wisdom, their "souls" will determine the future landscape
> > of American Jewish religious life.  Irving Berlin, Paul Simon, and Jerry
> > Seinfeld (to name a few) did not grow up NAIVE to their Jewish heritage!
> > The fact that they chose not to make it a part of their public life is a
> > valid point for discussion... and criticism, possibly.  But, it's clear to
> > see that the generations between Seinfeld and Berlin all had the KNOWLEDGE
> > of their traditions - whether they rejected them or not.  Will we be able
> > to say the same of our children.. or grandchildren?
> >
> > -Steve Singer
> >
> Good letter, Steve.
> 
> Can a Jewish musical soul "be adopted"?
>  In my opinion, only insofar as a spoon can adopt the taste of the soup.
> 
> Irving Berlin abandoned his Jewishness in his art, and some may argue, 
> betrayed it.  Why didn't he write cool "Jewish" songs in English?
He could have altered the whole course of American popular culture.

> Paul Simon, who had/has the talent to write many terrific songs,
> never refers to his Jewishness.  In fact in "Loves Me Like a Rock", he sings:
> "I'm a consecrated boy, Singin' in the Sunday choir".
>
 Seinfeld  shares a great responsibility in the continuing
> "bagels-and-loxification" of American Jewry.  A further mass "dumbing",
> if you will.
> 
When:
>  The New York Times calls mimic Mandy Patinkin,
> "The apotheosis" of the Yiddish/Jewish music scene.
>When: 
Billy Crystal calls Yiddish: "A language of coughing and spitting".
When:
>  SKG (all Jews) Dreamworks produces a major animated film ON A JEWISH
> THEME, yet --whose accompanying 2-CD set has not one Jewish musical
> artist --
> your children and grandchildren are indeed in deep doo-doo.
> Who will serve as their role  models, musical and otherwise?
> 
> In present-day Poland and in other  countries, the Jew has become, in
> the minds of many,  a creature of myth -- like a Leprechaun.  Viz. the
> "Jew dolls" for sale (in Poland).  To have one in your home will will
> bring you good luck
> (read: money).  Can America be far behind?
> 
>  Judaism has always been an evolving civilization, adapting to different
> "Babylons" in history.  However, when one no longer speaks a Jewish
> language,  observes <kashruth, tzedake,  mitzves>, etc. and there is no
> common group goal, like the labor movement or socialism,  for example,
> Jews will have become  (as most assimilated American Jews already are)
> just another hyphenated grouping in the great American consumer culture.
> 
> When <brit mila> is condemned and done away with, as some Jews are actively 
> advocating,
>  "Toot-toot-tootsie, good-bye".
> 
> Wolf