Re: One klezmer's experience

[MaxwellSt <MaxwellSt...>]

Mary,

My feelings concerning the Messianic Jews are very particular indeed.  So 
please let me clarify to you:

First of all: My band plays for Jews (all denominations), for Christians, for 
agnostics, and for anyone else who cares to hire a klezmer band.  We play 
Jewish music, Bach, and the Beatles.  Klezmer bands have always had the 
flexibility of the contemporary jobbing musician--it lends variety to life and 
pays the 
bills.

The feelings I was expressing concerning the Messianic Jews--whom I prefer to 
call Christian missionaries--have to do with the fact that their message is 
that we (the Jews) don't get it--we keep waiting for the Messiah when, golly, 
he's come already!
I don't mind a Jew choosing to see Jesus as divine--that is strictly a 
question of personal choice.  But then why keep calling oneself a Jew?

But that is not the point.  The point is that the Messianic Jews hire klezmer 
bands in order to convince their potential converts that Christianity is 
kosher.  If you read the literature that the leaders of these movements 
circulate, 
it has to do with how to make Jews feel comfortable in their congregations.  
"Don't say 'cross,' say 'tree'" is one of the many examples of how to make 
Jews "comfortable" in church.  Another interesting and not insignificant side 
note is that these movements are substantially funded by--who would have 
guessed?--evangelical Christian movements.  So my band was being used to 
convince Jews 
that they could have all the warmth and heimishness (familiar family feeling) 
they wanted in what they are trying to pass off as a denomination of Judaism. 
 They clearly must know that people like me--whose Jewish music is not based 
on notes but on my soul--would not endorse their sect. So they had to keep who 
they were hidden from me.  You must understand that this is not playing by 
the rules.

I hope you understand my reticence to play for these folks, whereas I am very 
happy to be hired to play for Christians who appreciate klezmer music.  One 
of the most stirring moments in my memory was leading a chosidl (a Chassidic 
dance) with Austrians in Graz in a festival that took place in a beer tent.  I 
honor the ability of music to reach across history that way.

Lori @ MAX