Re: Cohan: not a Jew.

[George Robinson <grcomm...>]

That's a good one.

Here's an Irving Berlin story that was really true, much repeated when Sir
Isaiah Berlin, also Jewish, died.

During WWII, Sir Winston Churchill was so delighted with Sir Isaiah's
reports on current events from the DC embassy that when someone told him
Berlin was back in London briefly, he decided to invite him to dinner at 10
Downing Street.
Unfortunately, someone got their signals crossed and invited Irving Berlin,
also on a brief visit to London, instead.
Dinner is going smoothly although Izzie is a bit baffled by some of the
turns of the conversation. Finally, Winston asks him what he's working on
and when the PM can expect to see it. Berlin answers, "I'm writing something
called White Christmas and it should be done soon." And it's Sir Winston's
turn to be confused.

As Lenny Bruce would say, "Emmes."

g
 "To announce that there must be no criticism
of the president, or that we are to stand by
the president, right or wrong, is not only
unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable
to the American public."
   --Theodore Roosevelt
----- Original Message -----
From: <TTova (at) aol(dot)com>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: Cohan: not a Jew.


> Thank you for this thread. I am delighted with the twists and turns
everyone
> is taking.
>
> One of my favourite Irving Berlin tunes is SUPPERTIME, written for the
Black
> actress/Jazz singer Ethel Waters. I believe Berlin was able to dig deep
into
> another culture's pain because of our own history.
> I agree that many of the popular tunes were less then masterful and I am
> reminded of how disappointed I am that he or other great American songbook
> composers never turned their attention to writing a really fabulous
Chanukah
> tune for example.
> Never the less
> this fabulous discussion of Irving Berlin's less then masterful
compositions
> through Cohen reminds me of one of my favourite jokes.
>
> With your indulgence....
> A man walked in to a Rabbi and announced he was prepared to make a sizable
> donation of $15,000 to the congregation if the Rabbi could make him a
Kohain.
>
> The rabbi answered that he wasn't sure that was possible.
>
> Determined the man said "Allright, alright $25,000. I'll be back in two
weeks
> with a cheque. I am sure you will find a way."
>
> Two weeks later the man entered the Rabbi's study waving a cheque made out
> for $25,000 and asked "well Rabbi, can you make me a Kohain or not?"
>
> The rabbi sighed and agreed "Well, actually I found a very obscure Tract
and
> I believe I now will be able to do it. But please, you must tell me, why
is
> it SO important for you to become a Kohain?"
>
> The man answered "My father was a Kohain, My grandfather was a kohain"
>
>
> Theresa Tova
> check out my website
> http://www.theresatova.com
> <A HREF="http://theresatova.com/";>www.theresatova.com</A>
>
>
>
>


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