Re: Music in Jewish brothels

[Trudi Goodman <goobietheg...>]

  I know that there were houses in NYCity in the 1800s. I refer you to a 
little-known Demme movie: The Last Embrace, it is a fictionalized account.
   I should think that the Jewish Agencies in both countries would have 
records on this, since WHITE SLAVING was a big deal amongst immigrants to 
and from various countries and especially amongst the Jewish poor.  I 
understand that Sarah Bernhardt's mother was a Dutch Sephard courtesan.
    I'd love to know what you come up with!!!
    L'SHANAH TOVAH!!!
     Trudi

>From: "Paul M. Gifford" <PGIFFORD (at) flint(dot)umich(dot)edu>
>Reply-To: jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
>To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
>Subject: Music in Jewish brothels
>Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 14:53:55 EDT
>
>Has anyone done any research into Jewish-run houses of ill-repute,
>especially in places like London and Amsterdam, in the 17th and
>18th century? Or, for that matter, in Germany or Eastern Europe?
>
>In researching dulcimer history, I've found some tantalizing bits
>of information which suggests that Jewish musicians played in taverns
>in London and Dublin that were somewhat associated with prostitution.
>For example, a German-born Jew, Isaac Isaacs (d. 1791), played in
>taverns in Dublin and was under contract to play weekly for a
>wealthy Dublin madam as she rode in her carriage to the races, etc.
>In a book on Covent Garden, there was a reference to at least one
>Jewish-run whorehouse or tavern in the early 18th century.
>
>It's well known, of course, that there used to be a lot of music in
>brothels (we all know where jazz started). My father had a job in the
>'30s playing piano accompanying the operatic voice of a West Indian
>"whoremaster" in New York City, and I've talked to American Gypsies
>who played in them in the '30s. Also, Gypsies played in Bucharest
>houses of prostitution before World War II. So what about klezmorim
>or letsonim in Central Europe?
>
>Paul Gifford
>
>

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