Re: A Jewish Odyssey

[Joel Bresler <joel.br...>]

Fortuna (Safdie) is Jewish. Can't speak to Luz.

Best,

Joel

At 03:39 PM 5/5/2003 -0400, you wrote:
>I have a few questions about this cd, I was hoping some people could
>help me out...
>
>1) This cd features Conseulo Luz, and Fortuna.  The notes on these
>singers describes how both women are extremely interested in Sephardic
>music and have released many albums in Ladino.  It mentions that
>Conseulo has a Jewish connection on her mother's side, but was raised
>Catholic, and it doesn't mention whether or not Fortuna is Jewish or has
>Jewish ancestry.  Does anyone know if these singers are in fact Jewish?
>
>2)  Ofra Haza is also featured on this album.  On the liner notes to her
>song, it mentions that Yemenite Jewish music relies heavily on the
>voice, since "Muslims of the Arabian peninsula largely banned musical
>instruments."  I was under the impression that it was a Jewish custom of
>Yemen not to use instruments as a mark of mourning for the destruction
>of the Temple.  Drums, plates, jewelry,etc, were considered okay since
>they were not considered 'real' instruments.  Which is it?  Did Muslims
>or Jews ban the instruments, and for what reason?  Or was it a
>combination.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Katie Marcus
>Program Coordinator
>Jewish Life & Learning
>Jewish Community Center of Metro Detroit
>6600 West Maple Road
>West Bloomfield, MI 48322
>(248) 432-5470
>(248) 432-5552 (FAX)
>
>
>---------------------- jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org ---------------------+
>