Re: singer/wiener

[elkahn <elkahn...>]

FOR THE RECORD:

Irving Berlin's father was a hazzan from Byelorussia. Because of alleged
political dissent, the family was was sent to Siberia. (Could this be
where the idea for WHITE CHRISTMAS came from?)

Israel Baline or Irving Berlin emigrated to America where he grew up on
the Lower East Side of New York. While one cannot call his music "Jewish,"
it is most certainly influenced by the song of Russian/Eastern European
Jews. I believe you can hear it in the following examples (all in a
melodic minor key): The B-section of BLUE SKIES ("Never saw the sun
shining so bright..."), the A-section of LET'S FACE THE MUSIC AND DANCE
("There may be trouble ahead.."), the lovely modulation in ALWAYS
("That's when I'll be there, Always...") and the entire minor key PUTTIN'
ON THE RITZ.

Like many other Jewish immigrants who chose to assimilate in "The Goldene
Medina," Berlin worked in vaudeville (i.e. Al Jolson, George Burns, Fanny Brice,
Sophie Tucker...). Simultaneously a Yiddish Theatre delevoped in New York
City where other composers and performers could work in a less assimilated
milieu. Such great songs as MAZEL by Abe Ellstein, BEI MIR BISTU SHEIN by
Sholom Secunda, YOSSEL, YOSSEL, DI GRINE KUSINE, etc. come from this
milieu.

There was also a rich cantorial tradition in America in the early part of
the twentieth century that made performing and recording superstars of
great hazzanim such as Yossele Rosenblatt and Gershon Sirota.

That the latter two traditions died out and dimmed had everything to do
with Jews assimilating and becoming an integral part of America's social
and entertainment fabric. 

I personally think it is fabulous that so many folks on this list are
actively involved with the performance, recording and distribution of
Jewish music. I myself make my living  cataloging and archiving
traditional Jewish music. 

However, I personally believe that your RIGHT to live openly as Jews and
play the type of music you wish was dearly bought by those immigrants that
came before us who entertained, taught school to, worked with and fought
in wars with ALL Americans. And yes, we should be grateful to the
Christian veterans of WWII who had liberated the camps and made sure that
America -- at least during my lifetime -- never would become like the
anti-semitic nations of Europe and Russia.

Next time you see one of those Kewpie doll Jews at some "living museum" in
Poland, remember babe, if it weren't for this country we all would be
ashes somewhere in Poland. 

Leben zoll Colombus,

Eliott Kahn

On Wed, 16 Dec 1998, Kame'a Media wrote:

> 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
> 
>