Re: elliot smith

[Alex J. Lubet <lubet001...>]

Responding to the message of <000501be2f60$8cfe6240$398b56d1 (at) bob>
from jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org:
> 
> An article by Rabbi Andrew N. Bachmanin in Contact (magazine of the
> Jewish Life Network)  suggests that ther rock 'n roller Elliot Smith
> is Jewish and that his song "Pitsele" is Jewish music.
> 
> Any comments?
> 
> Bob
> 
> .

Time prohibits my waxing too extensively on this subject.  I don't know who 
Elliot Smith is and haven't heard the song, but I find the buzz around such 
topics extremely interesting.  I personally and professionally and very 
interested in learning more about those apparently non-Jewish genres in which 
Jews have made huge contributions.  They are a part of our history and sometimes
a source of pride.

Referring specifically to Irving Berlin, I don't remember which Phillip Roth 
novel it's in, but explains that Berlin deliberately wrote the most famous songs
of two Xtian holidays in a manner devoid of any religious content in a 
calculated effort to combat anti-Semitism.  I think that says a lot more about 
Roth than it does about Berlin and I thought it was a real hoot when I read it, 
but it's worth noting that White Xmas and Easter Parade are about the so-called 
secular aspects of those holidays.

A gute woch,

 


Alex Lubet, Ph. D.
Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music
Adjunct Professor of American Studies
University of Minnesota
2106 4th St. S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612 624-7840 612 626-2200 (fax)