Music Between Cultures: The Sounds of Jewish America with musician Joe Alterman

Throughout the 20th century, Jews have always contributed to American popular music, from Irving Berlin to Carole King and beyond. But according to musician Joe Alterman, executive director of Neranenah Concert & Culture Series, the Jewishness of the music is defined by its story and not necessarily its melody. Part performance, part storytelling, Alterman, shares great American music with its fascinating Jewish stories woven in.

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Musical Memories of Elie Wiesel

Some of Elie’s friends and former students join in conversation and song to mark what would have been his 92nd birthday.

Featuring: Rabbi Ariel Burger, author, Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom; Nadine Epstein, editor-in-chief, Moment Magazine; Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray, Congregation Shir Shalom, Connecticut; Matthew Lazar, founder & director, Zamir Choral Foundation; Cantor Joseph Malovany, Fifth Avenue Synagogue, New York

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Fierce Competition for Yeshiva A Cappella

By Charles Kopel Just when you thought the Maccabeats craze was finally over, a new a cappella group is making strides in Washington Heights. The Y-Studs is performing at Yeshiva University (YU) events, posting videos on Youtube, and giving the competition a run for its money. More surprisingly, the suggestively-named group at the Orthodox school is exploring non-Jewish themes. Among its repertoire are renditions of the gospel tune This Little Light of Mine, The Lion King classic Be Prepared, and Bruno Mars’ Marry You (first performed for a public marriage proposal on the Yeshiva campus). It’s rolling out the Jewish hits as well, including remakes of Rabbi Isaac Hutner’s Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh and Naomi Shemer’s Lu Yehi (the Israeli response to the Beatles’ Let it Be). Ironically enough, the presentation of non-Jewish themed music to YU...

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Not Your Bubbe's Punk Rock: An Interview with the Shondes

by Amanda Walgrove The Shondes is a Brooklyn-based indie band that has garnered attention for their gritty Riot Grrrl rock sound, Jewish influences and political messages. Comprised of Louisa Solomon, Temim Fruchter, Elijah Olberman, and Fureigh, the band has released two albums since their formation in 2006: self-released debut The Red Sea (2008) and My Dear One (2010) with Fanatic Records. The band recently made a celebrated appearance at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, and has a new record in the works. I asked them a few questions about the religious roots of their music, their partnership with progressive Jewish organizations, and a general affinity for bubbe accents. Using a Yiddish word meaning "disgrace" or "shame" for a band name ties you to Jewish roots and yet separates you from religious orthodoxy. Can...

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Not Your Bubbe’s Punk Rock: An Interview with the Shondes

by Amanda Walgrove The Shondes is a Brooklyn-based indie band that has garnered attention for their gritty Riot Grrrl rock sound, Jewish influences and political messages. Comprised of Louisa Solomon, Temim Fruchter, Elijah Olberman, and Fureigh, the band has released two albums since their formation in 2006: self-released debut The Red Sea (2008) and My Dear One (2010) with Fanatic Records. The band recently made a celebrated appearance at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, and has a new record in the works. I asked them a few questions about the religious roots of their music, their partnership with progressive Jewish organizations, and a general affinity for bubbe accents. Using a Yiddish word meaning "disgrace" or "shame" for a band name ties you to Jewish roots and yet separates you from religious orthodoxy. Can...

Continue reading