Judith S Pinnolis
Berklee College of Music, Library, Department Member
- Brandeis University, Library & Technology Services, Department MemberHebrew College, School of Music, AdjunctHebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Rabbinic School, School of Sacred Music, Adjunctadd
- Academic Libraries, Digital Libraries, Digital Humanities, Music Libraries, Research Methodology, Academic Technology, and 17 moreHumanities, Music, History, Jewish Cultural Studies, Women's Studies, Open Source/Open Access and Libraries, Distance Learning, Library Instruction, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Critical Library Instruction, Jewish Studies, Memory Institutions, Information Science, Communication Of Memory In Archives, Libraries And Museums, German-Jewish Studies, American Jewish Studies, and Music Technologyedit
- Currently serving as Associate Director, Instruction and Engagement, Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory at ... moreCurrently serving as Associate Director, Instruction and Engagement, Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory at Berklee. I teach courses in Jewish music history at the School of Jewish Music of Hebrew College, Newton, MA. I own The Jewish Music WebCenter. <http://www.jmwc.org/> The Jewish Music WebCenter provides academic information about Jewish music, includes a biographical dictionary, research guides and listings of international current events of Jewish music. My work email is jpinnolis@gmail.edu For listings or contacting the Jewish Music WebCenter, see: http://jmwc.org/contact/edit
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Page 1. Book Reviews 575 for use in new, modern contexts such as a new nigun composed each year for the rebbe&amp;#x27;s birthday. This process can also be applied to secular tunes. By eliminating sec-ular text and adjusting... more
Page 1. Book Reviews 575 for use in new, modern contexts such as a new nigun composed each year for the rebbe&amp;#x27;s birthday. This process can also be applied to secular tunes. By eliminating sec-ular text and adjusting ornamentation ...
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Research Interests: Economic Justice and Jazz
Research Interests: Economic Justice and Jazz
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... Kevin Proffitt Chief Archivist, American Jewish Archives Lance J. Sussman Keneseth Israel Elkins Park, Pa. ... The evolution of their heritage and the styles of their leadership highlight the internal and external developments within... more
... Kevin Proffitt Chief Archivist, American Jewish Archives Lance J. Sussman Keneseth Israel Elkins Park, Pa. ... The evolution of their heritage and the styles of their leadership highlight the internal and external developments within the Orthodox world during the twentieth century ...
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Research Interests: Economic Justice and Jazz
This chapter examines several significant Jewish music sound recording collections in the United States, most of which originated as private collections but are now housed at academic institutions. Their origins provide insight into... more
This chapter examines several significant Jewish music sound recording collections in the United States, most of which originated as private collections but are now housed at academic institutions. Their origins provide insight into individual agency tied to different understandings of Jewish music. A discussion of their complexities from a library science perspective focuses on conservation and preservation as well as bibliographic control and other issues in which the complexities of Jewish music unfold more clearly. Authenticity, comprehensiveness, and other constructions demonstrate how sound recording collections reflect the overall difficulties of defining and delimiting Jewish music. Subsequent discussions and observations on access and audiences inside and outside the academy ultimately reveal the fine line of individuality and collectivity that Jewish music sound recording collections navigate.
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The history of the 1824 edition of "Florula Bostoniensis: A Collection of Plants of Boston and its Vicintiy," a rare book held at the New England Wildflower Society library, is explored in this feature article in Native Plant News. Intact... more
The history of the 1824 edition of "Florula Bostoniensis: A Collection of Plants of Boston and its Vicintiy," a rare book held at the New England Wildflower Society library, is explored in this feature article in Native Plant News. Intact field specimens from the 19th century were found and identified, as well as the history of the original owners and author of the book.
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Publikationsansicht. 2440462. Jewish liturgy and its musical setting :--growth and change in the Reform movement /--by Judith Pinnolis. (1975). Pinnolis, Judith. Abstract. Thesis (BA)--Tulane University, May 1975.. Bibliography: leaves... more
Publikationsansicht. 2440462. Jewish liturgy and its musical setting :--growth and change in the Reform movement /--by Judith Pinnolis. (1975). Pinnolis, Judith. Abstract. Thesis (BA)--Tulane University, May 1975.. Bibliography: leaves 109-115. Details der Publikation. ...
This guide by Judith Pinnolis to Yiddish Studies is no longer available on the Brandeis University website.
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Notes Copyright © 2004 by the Music Library Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Notes 61.1 (2004) 194-197, ...
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An article on the history of Women Cantors in America in the Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, published June 23, 2021.
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A brief biographical sketch of the life of Julie Eichberg Rosewald, America's first female cantor, and an internationally renowned opera singer, vocal teacher and author.
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Published online January 9, 2024. A thorough review of the "Jolles Encyclopaedia of British Jewish Cantors, Chazanim, Ministers and Synagogue Musicians." Entire encyclopedia may be downloaded for free at:... more
Published online January 9, 2024. A thorough review of the "Jolles Encyclopaedia of British Jewish Cantors, Chazanim, Ministers and Synagogue Musicians." Entire encyclopedia may be downloaded for free at: DownloadJollesEncyclopaedia@cantors.eu.
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This book consists of sixteen individual essays, each an independent argument attempting to move forward the knowledge of various fields, including anthropology, linguistics, neuroscience, history, ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and... more
This book consists of sixteen individual essays, each an independent argument attempting to move forward the knowledge of various fields, including anthropology, linguistics, neuroscience, history, ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and musical philosophy. Yet each chapter builds on the others in terms of a narrative stream, building arguments of the complex relationship of humans to music. The book attempts to answer questions such as “What is the relationship between speech and music, and which came first?,” or “Why do all cultures have music?,” or “What does music symbolize?,” or “What is the different aesthetic experienced by music when performed or heard?”, or “What is the purpose of music in a society?” Each writer investigates an aspect of the evolution of music along with humanity’s development and attempts to understand the dynamic that gives meaning to this fact in human existence. Each chapter stands alone and can be read as an example of research in that field in its own right. Each contains significant references to the current literature in its field, along with an extensive bibliography, making them easily considered for use in teaching and learning in a college curriculum. Each chapter advances its field in interesting ways,
yet some may be considered as an outlier to current thinking on those topics. Taken as a whole, this book is neither simplistic in approach nor straightforward, but rather complex. The book is not broken into subsections that acknowledge similarities between disciplines, but rather approaches the
questions at hand as one of dialogue with each other as well as the current literature. It is intrinsically intersectional in its approach, and therefore to most fully comprehend the arguments, it must be apprehended as a whole — as each chapter contributes a building block in understanding the overall
argument that human musical expression is intrinsic as well as complex, is innate as well as learned, and is characteristic as well as unique.
yet some may be considered as an outlier to current thinking on those topics. Taken as a whole, this book is neither simplistic in approach nor straightforward, but rather complex. The book is not broken into subsections that acknowledge similarities between disciplines, but rather approaches the
questions at hand as one of dialogue with each other as well as the current literature. It is intrinsically intersectional in its approach, and therefore to most fully comprehend the arguments, it must be apprehended as a whole — as each chapter contributes a building block in understanding the overall
argument that human musical expression is intrinsic as well as complex, is innate as well as learned, and is characteristic as well as unique.
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Page 1. Book Reviews 575 for use in new, modern contexts such as a new nigun composed each year for the rebbe&amp;#x27;s birthday. This process can also be applied to secular tunes. By eliminating sec-ular text and adjusting... more
Page 1. Book Reviews 575 for use in new, modern contexts such as a new nigun composed each year for the rebbe&amp;#x27;s birthday. This process can also be applied to secular tunes. By eliminating sec-ular text and adjusting ornamentation ...
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A biography of the Jewish woman musicologist, Anneliese Landau, whose work in Germany as a lecturer, radio personality and instructor served her well after she emigrated to the United States and contributed to supporting the arts of... more
A biography of the Jewish woman musicologist, Anneliese Landau, whose work in Germany as a lecturer, radio personality and instructor served her well after she emigrated to the United States and contributed to supporting the arts of Jewish musicians, especially emigre composers.
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Following the pattern of micro-histories trending in current American historiography, Pioneer Jewish Families in New Mexico captures details histories of more than two dozen families, and how their lives impacted the growth and... more
Following the pattern of micro-histories trending in current American historiography, Pioneer Jewish Families in New Mexico captures details histories of more than two dozen families, and how their lives impacted the growth and development of New Mexico.
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Surviving time and space, the literary and musical artistic output of the Spanish Jews traveled with them to remote reaches of the world, preserving as a time capsule some of the language and forms from the medieval period. Lyrics of... more
Surviving time and space, the literary and musical artistic output of the Spanish Jews traveled with them to remote reaches of the world, preserving as a time capsule some of the language and forms from the medieval period. Lyrics of popular Judeo-Spanish traditions preserve much of the framework of those ancient forms, expressing values and beliefs of the people who sang them. Often, this is in the feminine voice, as poor women had remained illiterate in that culture, they carried with them oral traditions in a unique dialect in which “they talked with local expression understood only by them” being more removed than men from Hebrew language. This book selects songs from a variety of locations where Spanish Jews settled after the expulsion, tracing and analyzing numerous texts. The author shows how some lyrical features allow tracing due to poetic traditions that remained in place. The author also explains symbols from both the natural and supernatural worlds that recurred in many songs, and explains their meanings in the contexts of the various cultures. The book explores two main themes: lyrics in reference to nature, and those with attributes of women. For anyone interested in Sephardic songs, this book will prove useful for musical interpretations by allowing a better understanding of the meanings and context of those songs. A useful index of first lines of the songs covered in the book is included.
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Brief book review.
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Appears in Women and Social Movements: 1600-2000, Alexandria, VA: Alexander Street, 2018.
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In clear and concise language, Sarah Ross creates a history of the development of feminist Jewish music. This book should be understood as a survey of major theoretical issues of Jewish feminism, not just about an “outlier” subject of... more
In clear and concise language, Sarah Ross creates a history of the development of feminist Jewish music. This book should be understood as a survey of major theoretical issues of Jewish feminism, not just about an “outlier” subject of music. Jewish feminism challenged normative Jewish gender roles, and also sought a new theology based in feminist critique. The author focuses on core values of contemporary Judaism and how music transformed them. She sees this musical transformation as central to American Jewish development in this period.
Ross argues that feminist Jewish music was closely related and paralleled musical and social developments of American counterculture and women’s liberation movements. She demonstrates that feminist Jews started using music as a way to connect women to Jewish communities, and to build a platform for a new American Judaism. Jewish women helped transform Jewish liturgy by reconceptualizing the meaning and structure of Jewish liturgical music to reflect Jewish feminism. Her thesis is that Jewish women singer-songwriters in the 1970s and 1980s created a very powerful medium that spearheaded many changes in United States’ Judaism.
Ross includes biographical sketches of several musicians and focuses on what motivated them. For example, Debbie Friedman and other singer-songwriters are seen writing music of their time, not a repertoire intended to connect Jews over time and place. Her book includes many specific musical examples. An appendix includes a listing of selected feminist Jewish songs arranged by categories such as “Healing Songs,” “Rosh Hodesh,” and “Shechinah Songs and Songs Using Gender-Neutral God-Language.”
Ross argues that feminist Jewish music was closely related and paralleled musical and social developments of American counterculture and women’s liberation movements. She demonstrates that feminist Jews started using music as a way to connect women to Jewish communities, and to build a platform for a new American Judaism. Jewish women helped transform Jewish liturgy by reconceptualizing the meaning and structure of Jewish liturgical music to reflect Jewish feminism. Her thesis is that Jewish women singer-songwriters in the 1970s and 1980s created a very powerful medium that spearheaded many changes in United States’ Judaism.
Ross includes biographical sketches of several musicians and focuses on what motivated them. For example, Debbie Friedman and other singer-songwriters are seen writing music of their time, not a repertoire intended to connect Jews over time and place. Her book includes many specific musical examples. An appendix includes a listing of selected feminist Jewish songs arranged by categories such as “Healing Songs,” “Rosh Hodesh,” and “Shechinah Songs and Songs Using Gender-Neutral God-Language.”
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Fontaine, Resianne, Andrea Schatz and Irene Zwiep, eds. Sepharad in Ashkenaz Medieval Knowledge and Eighteenth-Century Enlightened Jewish Discourse. Amsterdam: Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Verhandelingen, Afd.... more
Fontaine, Resianne, Andrea Schatz and Irene Zwiep, eds. Sepharad in Ashkenaz Medieval Knowledge and Eighteenth-Century Enlightened Jewish Discourse. Amsterdam: Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (Verhandelingen, Afd. Letterkunde. nieuwe reeks. deel 189) 2007. 334 p. $71.50 (ISBN-978-9-06984-482-4).
To appreciate this volume of scholarly papers, proceedings from a colloquium in Amsterdam, February 18-21, 2002, the reader must have a grasp of Jewish philosophy and history. The lectures vary widely in approach, but many of the authors view the historical progression of the Enlightenment and the awak¬ening of Jewish philosophy of the eighteenth century in light of influences from the medieval period, especially the Sephardic philosophers, writers, and poets. They reexamine the historiog¬raphy that has held sway in the last decades of Jewish scholarship to note the important contributions of Sephardic thinking on the Ashkenazi communities. Some take note of influences such as Hebrew printing presses, translations, and new editions of medi-eval works. Others note the challenges of new scientific and medi¬cal advances or revolutionary thinking. Included are important evaluations, such as the influences on Moses Mendelssohn, who “personally embodied” Jewish Enlightenment. Israel Zamość, Solomon Maimon, Israel Ben Moses Halevi, Yehuda Halevi, and many other philosophers and writers have their works put into perspective to reveal the fascinating networks of integrations of Sephardic thinking into the Ashkenazi worlds. Abstracts of the lectures are presented in the back of the volume along with a list of contributors and an inadequate index. Recommended for academic libraries.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Boston, MA
To appreciate this volume of scholarly papers, proceedings from a colloquium in Amsterdam, February 18-21, 2002, the reader must have a grasp of Jewish philosophy and history. The lectures vary widely in approach, but many of the authors view the historical progression of the Enlightenment and the awak¬ening of Jewish philosophy of the eighteenth century in light of influences from the medieval period, especially the Sephardic philosophers, writers, and poets. They reexamine the historiog¬raphy that has held sway in the last decades of Jewish scholarship to note the important contributions of Sephardic thinking on the Ashkenazi communities. Some take note of influences such as Hebrew printing presses, translations, and new editions of medi-eval works. Others note the challenges of new scientific and medi¬cal advances or revolutionary thinking. Included are important evaluations, such as the influences on Moses Mendelssohn, who “personally embodied” Jewish Enlightenment. Israel Zamość, Solomon Maimon, Israel Ben Moses Halevi, Yehuda Halevi, and many other philosophers and writers have their works put into perspective to reveal the fascinating networks of integrations of Sephardic thinking into the Ashkenazi worlds. Abstracts of the lectures are presented in the back of the volume along with a list of contributors and an inadequate index. Recommended for academic libraries.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Boston, MA
Mlotek, Chana and Mark Slobin, eds. Yiddish Folksongs from the Ruth Rubin Archive. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 2007. 288 p. $44.95. Includes compact disc (ISBN 978-0-81433-258-0). This anthology of Yiddish folksongs from “the... more
Mlotek, Chana and Mark Slobin, eds. Yiddish Folksongs from the Ruth Rubin Archive. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. 2007. 288 p. $44.95. Includes compact disc (ISBN 978-0-81433-258-0).
This anthology of Yiddish folksongs from “the mouth of the people” is a posthumous edition primarily prepared by Ruth Rubin nearly 20 years ago. The YIVO Archive, which received the near-finished manuscript of this book among her materials, is releasing it with her notations intact. While the folk nature of Yiddish song means that true origins will never be definitively ascertained, the value of this anthology lies in its stark originality. Music from informants has not been altered by “adaptation, stan¬dardization, and harmonization” typical of other publications. The layout of the book indicates that it can serve as a musician’s performing edition. The pages open nicely, with the music and text printed in clear, large type for easy reading.The songs contain transliterations and translations of the texts, with references to other editions, variations of the song in other books, or original Yiddish. As with many other Yiddish song collections, this one is broken down by topic, such as love songs, lullabies, weddings and marriage, dancing, Hasidic nigunim or anti-Hasidic songs. Also included are excellent essays in the introduction, a bibliog¬raphy, a list of publications of Ruth Rubin, and an index of first lines of the songs. Included with the book is a CD re-release of the 1964 Folkways album, “Jewish Life: The Old Country.” All songs on the CD are sung a cappella by various singers, with only one instrumental piece. Selections in differing styles come from many sources and places. Highly recommended for all.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Boston, MA
This anthology of Yiddish folksongs from “the mouth of the people” is a posthumous edition primarily prepared by Ruth Rubin nearly 20 years ago. The YIVO Archive, which received the near-finished manuscript of this book among her materials, is releasing it with her notations intact. While the folk nature of Yiddish song means that true origins will never be definitively ascertained, the value of this anthology lies in its stark originality. Music from informants has not been altered by “adaptation, stan¬dardization, and harmonization” typical of other publications. The layout of the book indicates that it can serve as a musician’s performing edition. The pages open nicely, with the music and text printed in clear, large type for easy reading.The songs contain transliterations and translations of the texts, with references to other editions, variations of the song in other books, or original Yiddish. As with many other Yiddish song collections, this one is broken down by topic, such as love songs, lullabies, weddings and marriage, dancing, Hasidic nigunim or anti-Hasidic songs. Also included are excellent essays in the introduction, a bibliog¬raphy, a list of publications of Ruth Rubin, and an index of first lines of the songs. Included with the book is a CD re-release of the 1964 Folkways album, “Jewish Life: The Old Country.” All songs on the CD are sung a cappella by various singers, with only one instrumental piece. Selections in differing styles come from many sources and places. Highly recommended for all.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Boston, MA
This thoroughly researched biography, commissioned by Verna Fine, widow of the composer, is a highly readable entree not only to the life and works of Irving Fine, but to the history of the Brandeis University Department of Music. Irving... more
This thoroughly researched biography, commissioned by Verna Fine, widow of the composer, is a highly readable entree not only to the life and works of Irving Fine, but to the history of the Brandeis University Department of Music. Irving Fine was a highly creative and innovative composer, and became the Walter W. Naumburg Professor of Music and Chairman of the School of Creative Arts at Brandeis. His inventive leadership of a newly formed Creative Arts Department would set the tone and course of study for the next 50 years.
Marc Blitzstein is a major figure in American music and his star continues to rise. Leonard Lehrman's devotion of years of work is clear in this major reference work. The book is extremely thorough, comprehensive and filled with... more
Marc Blitzstein is a major figure in American music and his star continues to rise. Leonard Lehrman's devotion of years of work is clear in this major reference work. The book is extremely thorough, comprehensive and filled with extraordinary minute detail. It is a must for any music library in a college or university setting, as well as anyone who is studying or working with the music of Marc Blitzstein. While scope is enormous, there are a lot of publication errors, so refer to updates available online.
So many Americans are just unaware of the accomplishments and achievements of Canadians. Possibly this is more ignorance than snobbery, but sometimes it seems to be a bit of both, without good reason for either. This snobbery particularly... more
So many Americans are just unaware of the accomplishments and achievements of Canadians. Possibly this is more ignorance than snobbery, but sometimes it seems to be a bit of both, without good reason for either. This snobbery particularly extends, it seems, in music. Our friends in Canada continually prove themselves extremely worthy, and yet notions to the otherwise persist. Fortunately, Canadians are a patient people and their accomplishments continue to shine and speak on their behalf.The book is an autobiographical memoir about his life as a violinist, conductor, composer, teacher and producer. It is written in the first person, and contains all the faults and benefits of a gossipy memoir.
Jack Gottlieb's mission is to 'set the record straight.' He wishes to clearly demonstrate through musical examples and technical musical means, that Jewish music from Yiddish song to synagogue melos, influenced American popular culture.
Assimilating Jewish music is, Schiller points out, "something that audiences do when they listen, as well as something that critics and musicologist do when they write about it.". At the same time Jewish music "assimilates into the... more
Assimilating Jewish music is, Schiller points out, "something that audiences do when they listen, as well as something that critics and musicologist do when they write about it.". At the same time Jewish music "assimilates into the Eastern tradition of art music when it appears in the form of concert genres such as the oratorio, cantata, and symphony." This book concerns these ideas, but also presents discussions of the connection between the composer, his views of himself as Jew, his views toward assimilation into greater society, his art into universal art, and his views toward Jewish identity in, and through, his music.
Writing a popular book about a popular song should merit some attention, so it's not surprising that no less than four items appeared in The New York Times about this book. It's supposed to be a book about one song. But, of course, it... more
Writing a popular book about a popular song should merit some attention, so it's not surprising that no less than four items appeared in The New York Times about this book. It's supposed to be a book about one song. But, of course, it isn't really. It's a book about acculturation, assimilation and cultural impact. For readers of the Jewish Music WebCenter, these issues raised by White Christmas, may ultimately deal out the moral: we have only ourselves to "blame" --or-- "congratulate" --as the view may be.
Yale Strom has written a book with enormous effort that supplies the reader with good access to extensive quotations by klezmer musicians, translations of previous scholarly works into English, 3 superb appendices, a bibliography, a very... more
Yale Strom has written a book with enormous effort that supplies the reader with good access to extensive quotations by klezmer musicians, translations of previous scholarly works into English, 3 superb appendices, a bibliography, a very nice discography and an index. The purpose of the book is to give an overall history of klezmer music, with its growth in Eastern Europe and a look at the current scene and it's meaning today.
This large guide may additionally properly be called a "handbook", a "textbook" or a "teacher's manual " in the pursuit of learning to chant the Jewish holy texts with understanding and correctness. Accompanying the book is a CD with... more
This large guide may additionally properly be called a "handbook", a "textbook" or a "teacher's manual " in the pursuit of learning to chant the Jewish holy texts with understanding and correctness. Accompanying the book is a CD with demonstrations of the te'amim chanted-- featuring the pleasant voice of the author. An index to the sung examples is included in an appendix at the back of the book. This work can be used as a teaching tool or resource for professional or lay cantors, and other teachers of synagogue chant.
Page 1. Book Reviews 575 for use in new, modern contexts such as a new nigun composed each year for the rebbe&amp;#x27;s birthday. This process can also be applied to secular tunes. By eliminating sec-ular text and adjusting... more
Page 1. Book Reviews 575 for use in new, modern contexts such as a new nigun composed each year for the rebbe&amp;#x27;s birthday. This process can also be applied to secular tunes. By eliminating sec-ular text and adjusting ornamentation ...
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Righteous Indignation. Anger. Social Justice. Bittersweetness. These are the overwhelming conditions expressed in this new CD by Daniel Kahn and his all-star musicians Christian Dawid, Michael Tuttle, Hampus Melin, Jake Shulman-Ment, Dan... more
Righteous Indignation. Anger. Social Justice. Bittersweetness. These are the overwhelming conditions expressed in this new CD by Daniel Kahn and his all-star musicians Christian Dawid, Michael Tuttle, Hampus Melin, Jake Shulman-Ment, Dan Blacksberg, Sasha Lurje, Sarah Gordon, Lorin Sklamberg , Michael Alpert, Psoy Korolenko. Known for his intense Yiddish cultural and political affiliations as well as poetry and Yiddish translations, Kahn has gathered together English and Yiddish songs of struggle, many of them newly written. These themes of social justice have been around for a while, but they certainly resonate in today’s world. “The Butcher’s Sher,” (also a play on the word “share”), “You gotta give the butcher his share” builds awareness that everything we consume may have somehow been involved an injustice somewhere in the world. “Freedom is a Verb” written by Kahn, is a call to action: “Freedom is a verb, something never finished never done.” Kahn gives us brilliant English lyrics for the Yiddish Vilna ghetto partisan song, “Silent Stars,” a standard in the Yiddish concert circle. A stand out selection is the 19th century labor song, “Arbeter Froyen” (Working Women), smoothly begun by Sarah Gordon. The easy vocals and harmonies move seamlessly between Yiddish and English. Not all is harsh and depressing-- Kahn is thoughtful singing Joshua Davis and Ann DelMariani’s drash “Two Brothers.” Kahn’s gentler interpretive powers disappear, and are in stark contrast to vocals in “No One Survives” and the “99%.” After hearing these songs, one has to ask whether Kahn may be the up-and-coming ‘Yiddish Leonard Cohen.’
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AJL Reviews May/June 2017. 7/ 2:29. Reviews of Multimedia Di Tsaytmashin . Yiddish Baroque Music from the Book of the Rejoicing Soul by Rabbi Elkhanan Kirchen. Brilliant Classics. (music, CD) $7.99 What if you took a bit... more
AJL Reviews
May/June 2017. 7/ 2:29.
Reviews of Multimedia
Di Tsaytmashin
. Yiddish Baroque Music from the Book of the Rejoicing Soul by Rabbi Elkhanan
Kirchen. Brilliant Classics. (music, CD) $7.99
What if you took a bit of Handel or Vivaldi, added in an ensemble of early Baroque instruments (including baroque guitar, recorders, viola da gamba, krummhorn and theorbo), took a dash of falsetto singing, and mixed in early Yiddish texts and occasional Jewish music modal moments or klezmer-sounding violin? You might have the idea about the sound on this CD. The singer and force behind this strange mixture of cultural forces is Avishai Aleksander Fisz, a musician and actor born in Israel, who also studied Yiddish and singing at Oxford and in Hamburg. The texts come from an Ashkenazi songbook, “Sefer Simkhes HaNeyfesh” or “The Book of the Rejoicing Soul” written at the beginning of the eighteenth century by Rabbi Elkhanan Kirshen. The volume contains a rare instance of Jewish
notated music with a single melodic line that is realized by Fisz and the ensemble. It is not known who composed the old melodies. According to Fisz, they were not likely notated by professional singers but
amateurs, and possibly by non-Jews (who could not completely follow the Jewish modal characters in some tunes). Nevertheless, these songs allow us to hear a reconstruction of Jewish sounds from that time. While the CD liner notes give a general overview about the songs, there are no exact texts or links to a source provided, which is a large oversight for this project. The title transliterations reflect the older Western Yiddish, possibly hindering some readers. Recommended for specialists interested in Baroque music or early Yiddish.
May/June 2017. 7/ 2:29.
Reviews of Multimedia
Di Tsaytmashin
. Yiddish Baroque Music from the Book of the Rejoicing Soul by Rabbi Elkhanan
Kirchen. Brilliant Classics. (music, CD) $7.99
What if you took a bit of Handel or Vivaldi, added in an ensemble of early Baroque instruments (including baroque guitar, recorders, viola da gamba, krummhorn and theorbo), took a dash of falsetto singing, and mixed in early Yiddish texts and occasional Jewish music modal moments or klezmer-sounding violin? You might have the idea about the sound on this CD. The singer and force behind this strange mixture of cultural forces is Avishai Aleksander Fisz, a musician and actor born in Israel, who also studied Yiddish and singing at Oxford and in Hamburg. The texts come from an Ashkenazi songbook, “Sefer Simkhes HaNeyfesh” or “The Book of the Rejoicing Soul” written at the beginning of the eighteenth century by Rabbi Elkhanan Kirshen. The volume contains a rare instance of Jewish
notated music with a single melodic line that is realized by Fisz and the ensemble. It is not known who composed the old melodies. According to Fisz, they were not likely notated by professional singers but
amateurs, and possibly by non-Jews (who could not completely follow the Jewish modal characters in some tunes). Nevertheless, these songs allow us to hear a reconstruction of Jewish sounds from that time. While the CD liner notes give a general overview about the songs, there are no exact texts or links to a source provided, which is a large oversight for this project. The title transliterations reflect the older Western Yiddish, possibly hindering some readers. Recommended for specialists interested in Baroque music or early Yiddish.
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2 vols. Joseph Rumshinsky. Di Goldene Kale. Michel Ochs, Ed., 2 vols. Recent Researches in American Music, Vols. 080/081 Music of the United States of America, Vols. MU27A/MU27B Middleton, Wisconsin: A-R Editions, Inc., 2017. This... more
2 vols.
Joseph Rumshinsky. Di Goldene Kale. Michel Ochs, Ed., 2 vols.
Recent Researches in American Music, Vols. 080/081
Music of the United States of America, Vols. MU27A/MU27B
Middleton, Wisconsin: A-R Editions, Inc., 2017.
This 2-volume edition, with full score, transliterated Yiddish lyrics, dialogues, and English translations, represents an important moment in American-Jewish music. It is the first scholarly, completely orchestrated, edition of a Yiddish-American musical theater work to appear in print. Other than selected highlights as piano/vocal scores, music of the Yiddish theater is practically unknown as Yiddish operettas never had fully orchestrated realizations published, even in their heyday. Joseph Rumshinky (1881-1956), one of the “Big Four” composers of Yiddish theater, wrote over a hundred Yiddish operettas. Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride), represents a highlight of Yiddish musical theater that flourished between 1880 and the early 1950s. It includes songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian. Michael Ochs reconstructed this work from manuscripts around the country. He tracked down the opening performance and cast, and provides information on stock Yiddish characters, Jewish musical elements, and even traced musical borrowings that will aid in understanding the genre and performance practice. The score includes twelve places for dances, making the realization on stage a fully-fledged musical event appealing to modern audiences. Volume 1 includes extensive introductory essays on the plot, the characters, Yiddish musical theater, and biographical sketches of the lyricists and composer. The edition is intended for contemporary productions. Information details how the modern performance edition differs from the original in length and structure. He includes images from the original 1923 production, and an autograph image from the manuscript score. Volume 2 contains the second act. Highly recommended for libraries supporting music and theater collections.
Judith S. Pinnolis
Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Joseph Rumshinsky. Di Goldene Kale. Michel Ochs, Ed., 2 vols.
Recent Researches in American Music, Vols. 080/081
Music of the United States of America, Vols. MU27A/MU27B
Middleton, Wisconsin: A-R Editions, Inc., 2017.
This 2-volume edition, with full score, transliterated Yiddish lyrics, dialogues, and English translations, represents an important moment in American-Jewish music. It is the first scholarly, completely orchestrated, edition of a Yiddish-American musical theater work to appear in print. Other than selected highlights as piano/vocal scores, music of the Yiddish theater is practically unknown as Yiddish operettas never had fully orchestrated realizations published, even in their heyday. Joseph Rumshinky (1881-1956), one of the “Big Four” composers of Yiddish theater, wrote over a hundred Yiddish operettas. Di Goldene Kale (The Golden Bride), represents a highlight of Yiddish musical theater that flourished between 1880 and the early 1950s. It includes songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian. Michael Ochs reconstructed this work from manuscripts around the country. He tracked down the opening performance and cast, and provides information on stock Yiddish characters, Jewish musical elements, and even traced musical borrowings that will aid in understanding the genre and performance practice. The score includes twelve places for dances, making the realization on stage a fully-fledged musical event appealing to modern audiences. Volume 1 includes extensive introductory essays on the plot, the characters, Yiddish musical theater, and biographical sketches of the lyricists and composer. The edition is intended for contemporary productions. Information details how the modern performance edition differs from the original in length and structure. He includes images from the original 1923 production, and an autograph image from the manuscript score. Volume 2 contains the second act. Highly recommended for libraries supporting music and theater collections.
Judith S. Pinnolis
Berklee College of Music/Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Research Interests:
CD Review for: Women in Judaism: A Multidisciplinary Journal
Hirschhorn, Linda. Becoming. OA11110CD. Berkeley, CA: Oyster Albums, Kehila Productions: 2007.
Hirschhorn, Linda. Becoming. OA11110CD. Berkeley, CA: Oyster Albums, Kehila Productions: 2007.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Jewish Music and Jazz
"Blending together elements of Arabic, Hebrew, rock and jazz music, the group Asefa (meaning a collective or assembly) is comprised of Samuel R. Thomas, tenor and soprano saxophone; Naíi, Bendir, vocals; Elie Massias vocals; Yehoshua... more
"Blending together elements of Arabic, Hebrew, rock and jazz music, the group Asefa (meaning a collective or assembly) is comprised of Samuel R. Thomas, tenor and soprano saxophone; Naíi, Bendir, vocals; Elie Massias vocals; Yehoshua Fruchter oud, guitar; Noah Jarrett bass, sentir; Eric Platz drumset, dumbek; and Richard Stein percussion. Guest performers include Rabbi Mihael Kakon, vocals and Rachid Halihal, violin. If you like Moroccan music blended with traditional Hebrew piyyutim (liturgical poetry), then this album will be for you, especially if you like hearing that music morph into some nice jazz. While nailing the Sephardi style blended
with jazz in such selections as Hai Goalenu, set to Sephardi texts written by David Bouzaglo, this selection, as most of the pieces, are newly composed by Samuel Thomas. Another piyyut by Asher Mizrahi, Habibi Yah Habibi, includes a solo rock riff. Standing out is drum solo in Dark Eyes by Mohammed el Bakkar arranged
by Thomas. The first song, “Allah Hu Ehad,” is the most successful in morphing and transforming from a traditional Sephardi sound and moving toward jazz. Even some of the simpler tunes such as “Yigdal Elohim Hai,” sung by Rabbi Mihael Kakon, start traditionally but move slowly from tradition to something new. This is a
highly enjoyable album with superb performances. It is delightful and uplifting, giving fresh voice and direction
to Sephardi liturgical song, as Thomas says, by “glimpsing truth in the interconnectivities of the resonance.”
Recommended for libraries collecting new Jewish music and contemporary world music."
with jazz in such selections as Hai Goalenu, set to Sephardi texts written by David Bouzaglo, this selection, as most of the pieces, are newly composed by Samuel Thomas. Another piyyut by Asher Mizrahi, Habibi Yah Habibi, includes a solo rock riff. Standing out is drum solo in Dark Eyes by Mohammed el Bakkar arranged
by Thomas. The first song, “Allah Hu Ehad,” is the most successful in morphing and transforming from a traditional Sephardi sound and moving toward jazz. Even some of the simpler tunes such as “Yigdal Elohim Hai,” sung by Rabbi Mihael Kakon, start traditionally but move slowly from tradition to something new. This is a
highly enjoyable album with superb performances. It is delightful and uplifting, giving fresh voice and direction
to Sephardi liturgical song, as Thomas says, by “glimpsing truth in the interconnectivities of the resonance.”
Recommended for libraries collecting new Jewish music and contemporary world music."
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Liderman, Jorge. Aires de Sefarad: 46 Spanish Songs for Violin and Guitar. Performed by Duo 46, Matt Gould, guitar; Beth Illana Schneider, violin. Albany, New York: Albany Records, 2006. 1 compact disc. $17.98. TROY829. Those who love... more
Liderman, Jorge. Aires de Sefarad: 46 Spanish Songs for Violin and Guitar. Performed by Duo 46, Matt Gould, guitar; Beth Illana Schneider, violin. Albany, New York: Albany Records, 2006. 1 compact disc. $17.98. TROY829.
Those who love Sephardic music, and those that love contem¬porary composition will enjoy the pleasant combination of violin and guitar that graces this CD. Composed by Jorge Liderman in a highly accessible instrumental style, these new compositions are interesting arrangements of familiar Sephardic tunes performed in a sensitive manner by Matt Gould and Beth Schneider. Lider¬man organized the 46 short character pieces in a song cycle with a harmonic structure that progresses by fourths, and occasionally changes to the dominant or parallel minor, even although most of the pieces retain the flavor of modal harmonic structures. Some of the musical ideas and textures repeat in various songs, such as an occasional returning motive. Many sections, based on tradi¬tional Sephardic songs from Isaac Levy’s Chants Judeo-Espagnols, have very quiet and calming effects. While the violin is usually the dominant thematic instrument, in some songs, the guitar carries the familiar melodies.The individual arrangements are sophisticated, representing different aspects of Spain, but never overbearing in their reshaping. Liederman composed rhythmi¬cally interesting segments, with some polymetric textures. This CD is an important example of current thinking by Jewish com¬posers who are using native Jewish musical materials to expand Jewish composed art music. While this is not necessarily a CD for a core Jewish music library collection, it is quite nice for home and synagogue collections, and those libraries collecting Israeli or South American contemporary composers.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Those who love Sephardic music, and those that love contem¬porary composition will enjoy the pleasant combination of violin and guitar that graces this CD. Composed by Jorge Liderman in a highly accessible instrumental style, these new compositions are interesting arrangements of familiar Sephardic tunes performed in a sensitive manner by Matt Gould and Beth Schneider. Lider¬man organized the 46 short character pieces in a song cycle with a harmonic structure that progresses by fourths, and occasionally changes to the dominant or parallel minor, even although most of the pieces retain the flavor of modal harmonic structures. Some of the musical ideas and textures repeat in various songs, such as an occasional returning motive. Many sections, based on tradi¬tional Sephardic songs from Isaac Levy’s Chants Judeo-Espagnols, have very quiet and calming effects. While the violin is usually the dominant thematic instrument, in some songs, the guitar carries the familiar melodies.The individual arrangements are sophisticated, representing different aspects of Spain, but never overbearing in their reshaping. Liederman composed rhythmi¬cally interesting segments, with some polymetric textures. This CD is an important example of current thinking by Jewish com¬posers who are using native Jewish musical materials to expand Jewish composed art music. While this is not necessarily a CD for a core Jewish music library collection, it is quite nice for home and synagogue collections, and those libraries collecting Israeli or South American contemporary composers.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Research Interests:
Out of Babylon: The Music of Baghdadi-Jewish Migrations into Asia and Beyond. Tucson, Arizona: Celestial Harmonies, 2007. 1 compact disc. $15.45. 13274-2. Reflecting more than six years of research, this is a compilation of Mizrahi song... more
Out of Babylon: The Music of Baghdadi-Jewish Migrations into Asia and Beyond. Tucson, Arizona: Celestial Harmonies, 2007. 1 compact disc. $15.45. 13274-2.
Reflecting more than six years of research, this is a compilation of Mizrahi song still heard among the remnants of Judeo-Babylonian communities. These communities consisted of Jews who left Baghdad between the 18th century and 1951. Many traveled east to communities such as Mumbai, Poona, Calcutta, Kuala Lumpur, Kowloon, Woollahra, Singapore, Jakarta, or even Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Sydney. The recordings were made during the last fifty years, some recorded by the researchers in special sessions, and some items coming from archives such as the National Sound Archives in Jerusalem. The booklet gives detailed information about the song texts, the recording of particular items, and the informants. All the songs are sung by men. There is no instrumental accompaniment, reflecting that most of the texts are liturgical songs that would normally be used during a worship service or festival. For those curious about the sounds of Jews in eastern communities, this is a treasure trove of authentic song. Many sacred texts are sung to more than one setting by the various communities for easy comparison, such as six versions of Ki eshmerah Shabbath, four of Deror Yiqra or four versions of Psalm 1. For further reading, a bibliography is provided. Recommended for research academic libraries serving music, Judaic, Middle East, or Asian studies departments.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Reflecting more than six years of research, this is a compilation of Mizrahi song still heard among the remnants of Judeo-Babylonian communities. These communities consisted of Jews who left Baghdad between the 18th century and 1951. Many traveled east to communities such as Mumbai, Poona, Calcutta, Kuala Lumpur, Kowloon, Woollahra, Singapore, Jakarta, or even Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Sydney. The recordings were made during the last fifty years, some recorded by the researchers in special sessions, and some items coming from archives such as the National Sound Archives in Jerusalem. The booklet gives detailed information about the song texts, the recording of particular items, and the informants. All the songs are sung by men. There is no instrumental accompaniment, reflecting that most of the texts are liturgical songs that would normally be used during a worship service or festival. For those curious about the sounds of Jews in eastern communities, this is a treasure trove of authentic song. Many sacred texts are sung to more than one setting by the various communities for easy comparison, such as six versions of Ki eshmerah Shabbath, four of Deror Yiqra or four versions of Psalm 1. For further reading, a bibliography is provided. Recommended for research academic libraries serving music, Judaic, Middle East, or Asian studies departments.
Judith S. Pinnolis, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Judith Pinnolis interviews Dr. Robert Lagueux, Vice Provost, Berklee College of Music, about his book "A Liturgical Play for the Medieval Feast of Fools: The Laon Ordo Joseph." December 15, 2023.
Research Interests:
Judith Pinnolis interviews Michael Heyman, Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences at Berklee College of Music, about his poetry books, ""This Book Makes No Sense" and "The Tenth Rasa." August 23, 2023.
Research Interests:
Judith Pinnolis Interviews Dr. Victor Wallis, Professor, Liberal Arts and Sciences, about his book "Red-Green Revolution: The Politics and Technology of Ecosocialism," April 26, 2023.
Research Interests:
Judith Pinnolis Interviews Dr. Darla Hanley, Dean, Professional Education Division, Berklee College, about her book, "Jazz is Elementary: Creativity Development Through Music Activities, Movement Games, and Dances for K-5." March 28,... more
Judith Pinnolis Interviews Dr. Darla Hanley, Dean, Professional Education Division, Berklee College, about her book, "Jazz is Elementary: Creativity Development Through Music Activities, Movement Games, and Dances for K-5." March 28, 2023.
Research Interests:
Judith Pinnolis interviews Ellen Cassedy, Co-Founder of 9 to 5 and the National Association of Working Women about her book "Working 9 to 5: A Women’s Movement, a Labor Union, and the Iconic Movie." January 5, 2023.
Research Interests:
Judith Pinnolis interviews Jonathan L. Friedman, Associate Dean, Jewish Studies Program, Academy for Jewish Religion, on the book he edited, "Music in Human Experience: Perspectives on a Musical Species." December 13, 2022.
Judith Pinnolis interviews Patricia Peknik, Associate Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences, on her book, "French Louisiana Music and Its Patrons: The Popularization and Transformation of a Regional Sound." November 16, 2022.
Research Interests:
Judith Pinnolis interviews Alex Ludwig, Associate Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Simone Pilon, Dean, Academic Affairs, Berklee's Campus in Valencia, Spain about their book "Woodstock: Then and Now: A 50th Anniversary... more
Judith Pinnolis interviews Alex Ludwig, Associate Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Simone Pilon, Dean, Academic Affairs, Berklee's Campus in Valencia, Spain about their book "Woodstock: Then and Now: A 50th Anniversary Celebration." October 20, 2022.
Research Interests:
Librarian Judith Pinnolis interviews Eunice Flanders, Assistant Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences at Berklee College of Music, May 24, 2022 on the book by Indigenous writer Tommy Orange, "There, There".
Research Interests:
April 28, 2022 Librarian, Judy Pinnolis, interviews author and Associate Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, James Tharin Bradford, about his book "Poppies, Politics, and Power: Afghanistan and the Global History of Drugs and... more
April 28, 2022
Librarian, Judy Pinnolis, interviews author and Associate Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, James Tharin Bradford, about his book "Poppies, Politics, and Power: Afghanistan and the Global History of Drugs and Diplomacy."
Librarian, Judy Pinnolis, interviews author and Associate Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, James Tharin Bradford, about his book "Poppies, Politics, and Power: Afghanistan and the Global History of Drugs and Diplomacy."
Research Interests:
April 19, 2022
Judith Pinnolis conducts A Books@Berklee Interview with Dr. Kevin Block-Schwenk, discussing the book, "How to Avoid a Climate Crisis" by Bill Gates, in honor of Earth Day 2022.
Judith Pinnolis conducts A Books@Berklee Interview with Dr. Kevin Block-Schwenk, discussing the book, "How to Avoid a Climate Crisis" by Bill Gates, in honor of Earth Day 2022.
Research Interests:
April 13, 2022
Judith Pinnolis conducts A Books@Berklee interview with Mark Polanzak about his book "The OK End of Funny Town."
Judith Pinnolis conducts A Books@Berklee interview with Mark Polanzak about his book "The OK End of Funny Town."
Research Interests:
February 16, 2022.
A Books @ Berklee discussion is lead by Librarian Judith Pinnolis with Professor Teodros Kiros, Professor of Philosophy, Berklee College of Music, about his book "Self-Construction and the Formation of Human Values."
A Books @ Berklee discussion is lead by Librarian Judith Pinnolis with Professor Teodros Kiros, Professor of Philosophy, Berklee College of Music, about his book "Self-Construction and the Formation of Human Values."
Research Interests:
January 10, 2022. A Books@Berklee discussion with author and padagogue, Dr. Beth Denisch, Professor of Composition, Berklee College of Music, about her book "Contemporary Counterpoint: Theory and Application" for the 2022 BTOT... more
January 10, 2022.
A Books@Berklee discussion with author and padagogue, Dr. Beth Denisch, Professor of Composition, Berklee College of Music, about her book "Contemporary Counterpoint: Theory and Application" for the 2022 BTOT Conference, held at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, MA,
A Books@Berklee discussion with author and padagogue, Dr. Beth Denisch, Professor of Composition, Berklee College of Music, about her book "Contemporary Counterpoint: Theory and Application" for the 2022 BTOT Conference, held at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, MA,
Research Interests:
December 9, 2021. A Books @ Berklee discussion with Dr. Jennifer Beauregard about the book, "The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Oceans and the Looming Threat that Imperils it" by Helen Scales. Dr.... more
December 9, 2021.
A Books @ Berklee discussion with Dr. Jennifer Beauregard about the book, "The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Oceans and the Looming Threat that Imperils it" by Helen Scales. Dr. Beauregard introduces us not only to Scales' book, but gives an introduction every undergraduate should know about the world's oceans.
A Books @ Berklee discussion with Dr. Jennifer Beauregard about the book, "The Brilliant Abyss: Exploring the Majestic Hidden Life of the Deep Oceans and the Looming Threat that Imperils it" by Helen Scales. Dr. Beauregard introduces us not only to Scales' book, but gives an introduction every undergraduate should know about the world's oceans.
Research Interests:
July 14, 2021.
Judith Pinnolis leads a Books@Berklee discussion with Dr. Victor Wallis, Professor at Berklee College of Music on his book: "Socialist Practice: Histories and Theories" .
Judith Pinnolis leads a Books@Berklee discussion with Dr. Victor Wallis, Professor at Berklee College of Music on his book: "Socialist Practice: Histories and Theories" .
Research Interests:
June 29, 2021 Librarian Judith Pinnolis leads a discussion with Professor Teodros Kiros, Professor of Philosophy at Berklee College of Music about his book "Self-Definition: A Philosophical Inquiry from the Global South and Global... more
June 29, 2021
Librarian Judith Pinnolis leads a discussion with Professor Teodros Kiros, Professor of Philosophy at Berklee College of Music about his book "Self-Definition: A Philosophical Inquiry from the Global South and Global North," with guest Dr. Victor Wallis.
Librarian Judith Pinnolis leads a discussion with Professor Teodros Kiros, Professor of Philosophy at Berklee College of Music about his book "Self-Definition: A Philosophical Inquiry from the Global South and Global North," with guest Dr. Victor Wallis.
Research Interests:
April 2, 2021
Librarian Judith Pinnolis has a Books@Berklee Interview with Dr. Alyssa Schmidt about the library's digital resource, "New Play Exchange" and we learn the importance of this wonderful resource.
Librarian Judith Pinnolis has a Books@Berklee Interview with Dr. Alyssa Schmidt about the library's digital resource, "New Play Exchange" and we learn the importance of this wonderful resource.
Research Interests:
February 19, 2021. A Book @Berklee discussion by Judith Pinnolis with Dr. Jasmine Parker, Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Berklee College of Music, about the book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel... more
February 19, 2021.
A Book @Berklee discussion by Judith Pinnolis with Dr. Jasmine Parker, Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Berklee College of Music, about the book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson.
A Book @Berklee discussion by Judith Pinnolis with Dr. Jasmine Parker, Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Berklee College of Music, about the book "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson.
Research Interests:
Conference: The Minds of Gen Z: Best Practices for Instruction and Outreach Friday, October 18, 2019 Stonehill College, North Easton, MA Workshop: A Mindful Role of Questions in Teaching This workshop and discussion covered... more
Conference: The Minds of Gen Z: Best Practices for Instruction and Outreach
Friday, October 18, 2019
Stonehill College, North Easton, MA
Workshop:
A Mindful Role of Questions in Teaching
This workshop and discussion covered instructional strategies for engaging Generation Z in the classroom. The first session featured Judith S. Pinnolis, Associate Director, Instruction and Engagement at Berklee College of Music/ The Boston Conservatory. Her presentation, A Mindful Role of Questions in Teaching, will cover the importance of interactive dialogue with students and using questions as a means of transcendence in order for students to reach new academic levels and achieve high-quality outcomes.
Available at the NELIG Archive: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/nelig/2019-2020/fall-program/1/
Friday, October 18, 2019
Stonehill College, North Easton, MA
Workshop:
A Mindful Role of Questions in Teaching
This workshop and discussion covered instructional strategies for engaging Generation Z in the classroom. The first session featured Judith S. Pinnolis, Associate Director, Instruction and Engagement at Berklee College of Music/ The Boston Conservatory. Her presentation, A Mindful Role of Questions in Teaching, will cover the importance of interactive dialogue with students and using questions as a means of transcendence in order for students to reach new academic levels and achieve high-quality outcomes.
Available at the NELIG Archive: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/nelig/2019-2020/fall-program/1/
Research Interests:
This webinar offers faculty a concise overview of the essential primary and secondary resources they can use to bring Jewish music into any Jewish Studies classroom. It is intended for faculty to learn about Jewish music resources for... more
This webinar offers faculty a concise overview of the essential primary and secondary resources they can use to bring Jewish music into any Jewish Studies classroom. It is intended for faculty to learn about Jewish music resources for curriculum development and class assignments, or to help students interested in developing projects in Jewish music. There is a wealth of media-based and text-based material available online for teaching and research in Jewish music. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Jewish music research, resources can be difficult to locate, as they are scattered across many different library databases, archives, and subject specific websites. SLIDE 1: TITLE SLIDE. Welcome and Introductions. SLIDE 2: Judy. Scope of Presentation: Thank you. Today we'll first look at some key secondary sources as places to start. These are widely held in academic libraries that can be generally used for Jewish music research or are available online. We'll then turn to primary sources. We'll focus on American libraries and archives, with some sources mentioned from Europe and Israel. Of these aggregated and large collections, we will be looking at the very largest collections and we'll examine materials that are easily accessible for free online. Of course there are other examples, although we can't mention everything. Today's presentation will cover resources from Ashkenazi, (broadly speaking Jews who developed culturally in Europe); Sephardi (Jews descended from those expelled from Portugal and Spain in the 15 th century) and Mizrahi (Jews from the Middle East). Each community has musical cultures that often require separate resource materials. SLIDE 3: We'll now turn to Dr. Mark Slobin who will put this webinar into a framework of Jewish Studies. Mark:
Research Interests:
Promotion of you scholarship today cannot be confined to a paper CV. Graduate students need to create and begin to populate a professional online presence in a planned and systematic way. This workshop will discuss options and ideas for... more
Promotion of you scholarship today cannot be confined to a paper CV. Graduate students need to create and begin to populate a professional online presence in a planned and systematic way. This workshop will discuss options and ideas for graduate students looking to establish and improve their online visibility for the job market: the dos and don'ts of online behaviors, publishing your work online, and networking. We’ll explore together some of the ways today’s young scholars promote their work and themselves to improve their future chances in the job market. Bring a list of some of your favorite methods as well, and contribute to this discussion.
Get ready to present for graduate students! Learn the basics of Powerpoint in regard to live presentations and how to use it judiciously. Learn what academic information will display well, how to choose images, how to judge for size of... more
Get ready to present for graduate students! Learn the basics of Powerpoint in regard to live presentations and how to use it judiciously. Learn what academic information will display well, how to choose images, how to judge for size of room and audience, how to match best colors, how to enliven your presentation, how to know how much to create for your given time frames. We will also look at creating effective posters for conferences and what to be sure to include.
"Advanced Techniques for Today’s Libraries:
Learn E-Brary, electronic bookmarkers, text highlighting, archival texts online, how to search for manuscripts
and more….
"
Learn E-Brary, electronic bookmarkers, text highlighting, archival texts online, how to search for manuscripts
and more….
"
Academic Writing: Do’s and Don’ts for Navigating Interdisciplinary Terrain This session will focus on academic writing for publication. So much has changed in the last few decades within the publishing industry and how resources in... more
Academic Writing: Do’s and Don’ts for Navigating Interdisciplinary Terrain
This session will focus on academic writing for publication. So much has changed in the last few decades within the publishing industry and how resources in academic libraries are collected. The Berklee community has so much to offer the academic world, but it can be a confusing world to navigate. In this session, led by a librarian with over 30 years of experience working with academic publishers, participants will learn about academic writing for journals, full-length books and other academic publications. The presenter will discuss options in today’s interdisciplinary environment, how to find and choose the right publisher for your ideas, how to gear your paper for particular journals and how to get an edge in today’s limited publishing spheres to “sell” your publications. Bring your article or book ideas to discuss or ask questions.
This session will focus on academic writing for publication. So much has changed in the last few decades within the publishing industry and how resources in academic libraries are collected. The Berklee community has so much to offer the academic world, but it can be a confusing world to navigate. In this session, led by a librarian with over 30 years of experience working with academic publishers, participants will learn about academic writing for journals, full-length books and other academic publications. The presenter will discuss options in today’s interdisciplinary environment, how to find and choose the right publisher for your ideas, how to gear your paper for particular journals and how to get an edge in today’s limited publishing spheres to “sell” your publications. Bring your article or book ideas to discuss or ask questions.
Research Interests:
June 1, 2022 A presentation about the creation of the “Books at Berklee” program. This program was an adaptive outgrowth created during the pandemic to bring the Library’s resources closer to the Berklee community, and to keep our... more
June 1, 2022
A presentation about the creation of the “Books at Berklee” program. This program was an adaptive outgrowth created during the pandemic to bring the Library’s resources closer to the Berklee community, and to keep our community informed, curious, and engaged. Starting in early 2021, I opened up a new avenue of opportunity to create engagement by interviewing many faculty and staff about a book of their own authorship or creation, or, a resource from the Library of special interest to them. I then reviewed the resource or read the book and developed a series of questions to use during the interviews. These interviews were recorded on Zoom. Later, links were sent to various Berklee community lists and newsletters throughout the campus and added to the Library’s Youtube pages and listed on the Library’s social media presence. The videos not only marketed the Library’s resources, but gave faculty an important platform in which to promote a topic or book of special interest to them, stay connected, and enhance morale at a time while the pandemic wore on and on. The workshop will focus on building connections around campus, how to look for those opportunities, and building community through interactive discussions.
Presentation given at ACRL New England -NELIG Joint Annual Conference "Connection, Disconnection, Reconnection: How Are We Building Community Now?" The slideshow is available for download through a Creative Commons License in the ScholarWorks Archive at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
A presentation about the creation of the “Books at Berklee” program. This program was an adaptive outgrowth created during the pandemic to bring the Library’s resources closer to the Berklee community, and to keep our community informed, curious, and engaged. Starting in early 2021, I opened up a new avenue of opportunity to create engagement by interviewing many faculty and staff about a book of their own authorship or creation, or, a resource from the Library of special interest to them. I then reviewed the resource or read the book and developed a series of questions to use during the interviews. These interviews were recorded on Zoom. Later, links were sent to various Berklee community lists and newsletters throughout the campus and added to the Library’s Youtube pages and listed on the Library’s social media presence. The videos not only marketed the Library’s resources, but gave faculty an important platform in which to promote a topic or book of special interest to them, stay connected, and enhance morale at a time while the pandemic wore on and on. The workshop will focus on building connections around campus, how to look for those opportunities, and building community through interactive discussions.
Presentation given at ACRL New England -NELIG Joint Annual Conference "Connection, Disconnection, Reconnection: How Are We Building Community Now?" The slideshow is available for download through a Creative Commons License in the ScholarWorks Archive at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Research Interests:
This talk examines several significant Jewish music sound recording collections in the United States, most of which originated as private collections, but are now housed at academic institutions. Their origins provide insight into... more
This talk examines several significant Jewish music sound recording collections in the United States, most of which originated as private collections, but are now housed at academic institutions. Their origins provide insight into different understandings of Jewish music, and the impacts that will have for future research. This presentation will focus on the complexities of using such collections for scholarly purposes, from a library science perspective. Touched on will be issues such as conservation and preservation as well as bibliographic control, authenticity, comprehensiveness, and other constructions, including the urgency of the formation of new Jewish music 'genre' designations and terminologies. We will discuss both the overall difficulties and pitfalls of using these collections, as well as its potentialities. In particular, we will take a brief look at the UCLA/Milken Archive Jewish music sound recording database project, which is creating an aggregated database for exploration of Jewish music using Digital Humanities protocols.
Research Interests:
Brief presentation for the American Jewish Historical Society Bicentennial. Presentation addressed concerns for access to sound recording collections in the United States that are designated as "Jewish Music" collections in various... more
Brief presentation for the American Jewish Historical Society Bicentennial. Presentation addressed concerns for access to sound recording collections in the United States that are designated as "Jewish Music" collections in various institutions.
ABSTRACT:
Jewish music classes in universities face peculiar base knowledge and prerequisite issues. Those students having previous knowledge of Jewish studies may not know music history or read music, and music students may not be as familiar with Jewish history and culture. To accommodate this wide range in base knowledge, many classes utilize a broad survey format, and do not require reading music as a prerequisite. Instead, faculty rely heavily upon sound recording collections for primary materials, class resources, and assignments. My recent research project explores Jewish music sound recording collections in selected prominent institutions in the United States, and this presentation will be based upon my preliminary findings.
The purpose of the research has been to discover the long-term implications on a defined sense of what "Jewish music" has been/is/will become, based on these sound recording collections since they are so prominent in students’ education, and are used to define the “sound track to Jewish history.” In a practical sense, these sound recording collections, in the aggregate, do help define Jewish musical communities and culture, reflect back to the American Jewish community its cultural sound track and history, and provide case studies for an underlying idea of cultural collectivity.
Preliminary findings show that most of these collections have been "constructed" or created in the relatively recent past. This talk will cover an overview on the origins, aims and goals of a few of these collections, and how these align with various American Jewish identities. I will address the strengths and weaknesses of the collections, accessibilities, and how these collections meet the demands of scholars. We will briefly examine how these sound recording collections may differ from random resources available through the Internet or Youtube, and conclude with information for faculty who need to acquire resources for their classes.
ABSTRACT:
Jewish music classes in universities face peculiar base knowledge and prerequisite issues. Those students having previous knowledge of Jewish studies may not know music history or read music, and music students may not be as familiar with Jewish history and culture. To accommodate this wide range in base knowledge, many classes utilize a broad survey format, and do not require reading music as a prerequisite. Instead, faculty rely heavily upon sound recording collections for primary materials, class resources, and assignments. My recent research project explores Jewish music sound recording collections in selected prominent institutions in the United States, and this presentation will be based upon my preliminary findings.
The purpose of the research has been to discover the long-term implications on a defined sense of what "Jewish music" has been/is/will become, based on these sound recording collections since they are so prominent in students’ education, and are used to define the “sound track to Jewish history.” In a practical sense, these sound recording collections, in the aggregate, do help define Jewish musical communities and culture, reflect back to the American Jewish community its cultural sound track and history, and provide case studies for an underlying idea of cultural collectivity.
Preliminary findings show that most of these collections have been "constructed" or created in the relatively recent past. This talk will cover an overview on the origins, aims and goals of a few of these collections, and how these align with various American Jewish identities. I will address the strengths and weaknesses of the collections, accessibilities, and how these collections meet the demands of scholars. We will briefly examine how these sound recording collections may differ from random resources available through the Internet or Youtube, and conclude with information for faculty who need to acquire resources for their classes.
Research Interests:
Abstract: This webinar invites Jewish Studies faculty to learn about Jewish music resources for curriculum development and class assignments, or to help students interested in developing projects in Jewish music. There is a wealth of... more
Abstract:
This webinar invites Jewish Studies faculty to learn about Jewish music resources for curriculum development and class assignments, or to help students interested in developing projects in Jewish music. There is a wealth of media-based and text-based material available online for teaching and research in Jewish music. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Jewish music research, resources can be difficult to locate, as they are scattered across many different library databases, archives, and subject specific websites. This webinar, which is hosted by the Association for Jewish Studies and is co-sponsored by the Jewish Music Study Group of the Society for Ethnomusicology and the Jewish Studies and Music Study Group of the American Musicological Society, will offer faculty a concise overview of the essential primary and secondary resources they can use to bring Jewish music into any Jewish Studies classroom.
This webinar invites Jewish Studies faculty to learn about Jewish music resources for curriculum development and class assignments, or to help students interested in developing projects in Jewish music. There is a wealth of media-based and text-based material available online for teaching and research in Jewish music. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of Jewish music research, resources can be difficult to locate, as they are scattered across many different library databases, archives, and subject specific websites. This webinar, which is hosted by the Association for Jewish Studies and is co-sponsored by the Jewish Music Study Group of the Society for Ethnomusicology and the Jewish Studies and Music Study Group of the American Musicological Society, will offer faculty a concise overview of the essential primary and secondary resources they can use to bring Jewish music into any Jewish Studies classroom.
Research Interests:
Paper presented at: Comedy and the Constitution: The Legacy of Lenny Bruce, Brandeis University, October 28, 2016. While Lenny Bruce used satire and comedy to push American culture in areas of politics and obscenity laws, other Jewish... more
Paper presented at: Comedy and the Constitution: The Legacy of Lenny Bruce, Brandeis University, October 28, 2016.
While Lenny Bruce used satire and comedy to push American culture in areas of politics and obscenity laws, other Jewish entertainers extended the uses of comedy with music as a type of code of Jewish culture. Following in the tradition of musical clowns, or letzim, Jewish comedians often combined music and comedy. Post-World War II comedians, such as the Barton Brothers, Mickey Katz came out of the popular and klezmer music. Jack Benny and Victor Borge used classical music as part of a mix in interweaving Jews into American culture. Some Jewish comedians also mixed music and comedy to explore Jewish identity-politics in an increasingly assimilated Jewish population in America. Such comedians as Alan Sherman and Adam Sandler stand out as those whose comedy exploits both the American experience and Jewish culture through music. This paper will examine the uses of music as an element of comedy used by Jewish comedians from the second half of the twentieth century to help blend Jews into American culture, and later, to even promote Jewish identity.
While Lenny Bruce used satire and comedy to push American culture in areas of politics and obscenity laws, other Jewish entertainers extended the uses of comedy with music as a type of code of Jewish culture. Following in the tradition of musical clowns, or letzim, Jewish comedians often combined music and comedy. Post-World War II comedians, such as the Barton Brothers, Mickey Katz came out of the popular and klezmer music. Jack Benny and Victor Borge used classical music as part of a mix in interweaving Jews into American culture. Some Jewish comedians also mixed music and comedy to explore Jewish identity-politics in an increasingly assimilated Jewish population in America. Such comedians as Alan Sherman and Adam Sandler stand out as those whose comedy exploits both the American experience and Jewish culture through music. This paper will examine the uses of music as an element of comedy used by Jewish comedians from the second half of the twentieth century to help blend Jews into American culture, and later, to even promote Jewish identity.
Research Interests:
This presentation will examine the latest digital resources in Jewish music available for academic research. It will point out websites, digital humanities projects, databases, bibliographies, online sound files, contextual biographies,... more
This presentation will examine the latest digital resources in Jewish music available for academic research. It will point out websites, digital humanities projects, databases, bibliographies, online sound files, contextual biographies, archival holdings, sheet music, indexes and more. Libraries throughout the world have been expanding their digitization projects in the last few years and the astounding numbers of new resources for this specialized ethnomusicology field has taken shape in wider directions.
Research Interests:
Can Twitter really be useful in academia? Tweet This SIG! will cover everything from Twitter basics to advanced uses in higher education. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of this powerful real-time communication... more
Can Twitter really be useful in academia? Tweet This SIG! will cover everything from Twitter basics to advanced uses in higher education. Participants will walk away with a deeper understanding of this powerful real-time communication tool along with a Twitter toolkit to help get them started on a new and exciting Twitter adventure.
This talk covers important aspects of digital citizenship on Twitter.
This talk covers important aspects of digital citizenship on Twitter.
Mobile computing platforms such as the Apple iPhone and Google Android are gaining rapid market acceptance. Can students access leading library databases from a mobile platform? What are presently some of the advantages and disadvantages... more
Mobile computing platforms such as the Apple iPhone and Google Android are gaining rapid market acceptance. Can students access leading library databases from a mobile platform? What are presently some of the advantages and disadvantages of mobile access? What steps can we take to improve library access through these platforms? This poster session will answer key questions regarding mobile computing access for libraries.
NEMLA’s Fall 2023 Chapter meeting on the “all-too-timely” topic of “Censorship in (Music) Libraries” took place on Friday, October 27th, via Zoom.
Research Interests:
"The event will include live musical illustrations by students of the Music Department of Hebrew College. There will be two panels: the first focused on the 19th century starting at 9am, and the second on the 20th century starting at... more
"The event will include live musical illustrations by students of the Music Department of Hebrew College. There will be two panels: the first focused on the 19th century starting at 9am, and the second on the 20th century starting at 11am. The first panel will focus on “Re-voicing Tradition: Theory and Practice of German Jewish Synagogue Music” where attendees will be able to hear Dr. Mark Kligman of HUC-JIR investigate sounds of early modernity in the music of Israel Lovy; Dr. Tina Frühauf of Columbia Univ. discuss “’Modern yet Jewish’: Searching for a Jewish voice in 19th century Organ music for the Synagogue;” and Dr. Michael Zank of BU explore “Die Form des Innern: The German-Jewish Musical Tradition and the Philosophical Anthropology of the Berlin School.” Following a break, the second panel starting at 11am will concern the “Complexity in Negotiating Contours of Jewish Music in the 20th Century,” with Dr. Eugene Sheppard setting the scene, followed by Dr. Pamela Potter of Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison discussing the scholarly dilemma of German confrontations with Jewish music. The panel winds up with Dr. Antony Polonsky discussing “From Mendelssohn to Schönberg: the problematic place of Jews in German music.” Judith Pinnolis, Academic Outreach Librarian at LTS will give a response, and Dr. Eugene Sheppard of Brandeis will lead a question and answer session at the end.
For a complete description of the program, visit: http://createsend.com/t/y-6B42A8D3F2B863B9
""
For a complete description of the program, visit: http://createsend.com/t/y-6B42A8D3F2B863B9
""
The discussion was moderated by Tom Sanville, Director of Licensing and Special Projects for Lyrasis. Tom also introduced the issues from his perspective. Panelists from JSTOR, Springer USA, Oxford University Press and the University... more
The discussion was moderated by Tom Sanville, Director of Licensing and Special Projects for Lyrasis. Tom also introduced the issues from his perspective. Panelists from JSTOR, Springer USA, Oxford University Press and the University Press Content Consortium (UPCC) participated.
The Triangle Research Library Network drew on the notes from the BLC Symposium as background for its Mellon-funded E-Books Summit in August, 2011, and the issues discussed at the Symposium have also become points of reference and discussion at BLC meetings.
The Triangle Research Library Network drew on the notes from the BLC Symposium as background for its Mellon-funded E-Books Summit in August, 2011, and the issues discussed at the Symposium have also become points of reference and discussion at BLC meetings.
DESCRIPTION: This SIG will discover newer trends where the lines blur between personal and academic uses of technology. What do Digital Citizens need to operate in this new world? What will be the new "common knowledge" of a... more
DESCRIPTION:
This SIG will discover newer trends where the lines blur between personal and academic uses of technology. What do Digital Citizens need to operate in this new world? What will be the new "common knowledge" of a college–educated person? More than just digital literacy, Digital Citizenship is a way to think of students as knowledgeable participants in a society permeated by technology. Students’ day-to-day interactions, such as sharing personal information, their social lives and communications, are currently influencing academic trends in learning. How will we utilize this new openness to teach students to be competent and educated citizens in this technology-saturated world? What will be considered normative college-level literacy in a digital world that must consider creative rights, societal courtesies and etiquette, security, health and welfare, and digital ethics? What should they know when they graduate? How do all these translate into new skills in academics, research and the learning process? This SIG will endeavor to begin to address some of the basic college issues of Digital Citizenship for the foreseeable future being shaped by today’s technologies.
This SIG will discover newer trends where the lines blur between personal and academic uses of technology. What do Digital Citizens need to operate in this new world? What will be the new "common knowledge" of a college–educated person? More than just digital literacy, Digital Citizenship is a way to think of students as knowledgeable participants in a society permeated by technology. Students’ day-to-day interactions, such as sharing personal information, their social lives and communications, are currently influencing academic trends in learning. How will we utilize this new openness to teach students to be competent and educated citizens in this technology-saturated world? What will be considered normative college-level literacy in a digital world that must consider creative rights, societal courtesies and etiquette, security, health and welfare, and digital ethics? What should they know when they graduate? How do all these translate into new skills in academics, research and the learning process? This SIG will endeavor to begin to address some of the basic college issues of Digital Citizenship for the foreseeable future being shaped by today’s technologies.
Presenter: Michèle Valerie Cloonan, Dean, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College Moderator: Judy Pinnolis, Reference Librarian/Information Desk Coordinator, Brandeis University Libraries and Chair of the... more
Presenter: Michèle Valerie Cloonan, Dean, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College
Moderator: Judy Pinnolis, Reference Librarian/Information Desk Coordinator, Brandeis University Libraries and Chair of the ACRL/NEC Continuing Education Committee
Moderator: Judy Pinnolis, Reference Librarian/Information Desk Coordinator, Brandeis University Libraries and Chair of the ACRL/NEC Continuing Education Committee
Authors: Widmer, Lois; Jerome, Erin; Ferguson, Jen; Lipkin, Adam; Giordano, Jen; Pinnolis, Judy Abstract: A self-selected agile team of liaisons conducted a high level scan of e-textbook publishing and recent implementations of... more
Authors: Widmer, Lois; Jerome, Erin; Ferguson, Jen; Lipkin, Adam; Giordano, Jen; Pinnolis, Judy
Abstract: A self-selected agile team of liaisons conducted a high level scan of e-textbook publishing and recent implementations of e-textbooks at selected institutions to address questions and concerns we anticipate will be raised soon at Brandeis, namely: Are there examples of successful, sustainable implementations of e-textbooks? What is the status of the technology? How well do e-textbooks meet the needs of faculty and students for teaching and learning? What is the nature of the available content and its functionality? Are publishers and vendors offering suitable sales or subscription models?
Abstract: A self-selected agile team of liaisons conducted a high level scan of e-textbook publishing and recent implementations of e-textbooks at selected institutions to address questions and concerns we anticipate will be raised soon at Brandeis, namely: Are there examples of successful, sustainable implementations of e-textbooks? What is the status of the technology? How well do e-textbooks meet the needs of faculty and students for teaching and learning? What is the nature of the available content and its functionality? Are publishers and vendors offering suitable sales or subscription models?
The purpose of the Jewish Music WebCenter is to provide an online forum for academic, organizational, and individual activities in Jewish music. Information is provided to encourage and support scholarship, enjoyment, creation and general... more
The purpose of the Jewish Music WebCenter is to provide an online forum for academic, organizational, and individual activities in Jewish music. Information is provided to encourage and support scholarship, enjoyment, creation and general knowledge of Jewish music. Includes announcements blog.
This class will attempt to create a big picture narrative of the last half century of sacred Jewish music in liberal movements (such as Reform, Conservative, Renewal, Reconstructionist) communities. How did we get here? Why is music we... more
This class will attempt to create a big picture narrative of the last half century of sacred Jewish music in liberal movements (such as Reform, Conservative, Renewal, Reconstructionist) communities. How did we get here? Why is music we sing the way it is? Where did it come from? We will examine the rise of contemporary American Jewish sacred music in popular genres, such as folk or rock styles, and how it changed from previous composed or art music compositions. We will take a broad view of the changes that Jewish sacred music went through, starting in the 1960s and 1970s, with the rise of youth and camp music, the addition of instruments such as guitar to worship, the addition of women to the cantorate, and the rise of choral music groups and more participatory singing. We will explore some of today’s star
singer-songwriters of Jewish music. We will learn some of the context behind groups such as Kol B’Seder, and composers from Debbie Friedman to Joey Weissenberg and Josh Warshawsky.
singer-songwriters of Jewish music. We will learn some of the context behind groups such as Kol B’Seder, and composers from Debbie Friedman to Joey Weissenberg and Josh Warshawsky.
Research Interests:
So much of Israeli modern art music is unknown in America. For one thing, it’s difficult, in general, for any living composer to get their works performed by major organizations, like symphony orchestras, which tend to be quite... more
So much of Israeli modern art music is unknown in America. For one thing, it’s difficult, in general, for any living composer to get their works performed by major organizations, like symphony orchestras, which tend to be quite conservative in terms of repertoire. Thus, many American composers rely on their home institutions and universities for performances. Israeli composers face the same audience reticence as other composers, plus they are not necessarily known or supported by American institutions. This course will be an introduction to some of the current living Israeli composers, who live and work primarily in Israel, who are worthy of international recognition for their creativity, the beauty of their music, and the interesting compositional transformations they give to the contemporary classical sound. We will actually hear from at least one Israeli composer, Max Stern, about his life, where I conducted an original international interview on Zoom, and we will hear and discuss his music. Other composers may include Lior Navok, Yitzhak Yedid, Ayal Adler, and Talia Amar, (Yehezkiel Braun, z"l), Tsippi Fleisher,, Tzvi Avni etc Musical compositions not available by Youtube will be provided in sound files to the class in the week prior.
Research Interests:
One of the first women who was successful as a songwriter and lyricist in Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood was Dorothy Fields. She wrote the words to over 400 songs of the most iconic American hits from the heyday of classic Broadway and... more
One of the first women who was successful as a songwriter and lyricist in Tin Pan Alley and Hollywood was Dorothy Fields. She wrote the words to over 400 songs of the most iconic American hits from the heyday of classic Broadway and Hollywood. Some of her best-known works are from films and shows, such as “The Way You Look Tonight” or “A Fine Romance” or On the Sunny Side of the Street.” She partnered with the top figures in American musical theater, including Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and Cy Coleman. Come have some fun, as we learn about her life and listen to and examine the best songs with the clever lyrics of Dorothy Fields. No prerequisites are needed. Students must be able to receive email and listen to musical examples at home. There will be a lot of listening to songs in this class and lyrics
will be provided where needed.
will be provided where needed.
Research Interests:
Jewish culture encompasses many art forms. Outside of established community expressions, such as synagogue music or folk cultures such as klezmer, Yiddish, or Ladino music, many Jews have attempted to give expression to Jewish identity... more
Jewish culture encompasses many art forms. Outside of established community expressions, such as synagogue music or folk cultures such as klezmer, Yiddish, or Ladino music, many Jews have attempted to give expression to Jewish identity through their art music. This eight-week course will examine closely some key masterworks of Jewish art music of the modern period. We will listen to particular art compositions from some Jewish composers and attempt to gain a greater understanding of the meanings of these works and their contexts. Selections for this course may include works such as Achron (Hebrew Melody), Saminsky (Schir Haschirim), Bloch (Suite Hebraique), Bernstein (Kaddish), Zeisl (Requiem Ebraico), Toch (Cantata of the Bitter Herbs), Gideon (Hound of Heaven), Waxman (Song of Terezin), and Warshauer (Symphony No. 1 Living Breathing Earth).
Research Interests:
Description This course will take a look at five films on the theme of indigenous peoples. Two of the films will be about Australian aboriginals, two about Inuit people in Canada and one about Native Americans. This course will endeavor... more
Description This course will take a look at five films on the theme of indigenous peoples. Two of the films will be about Australian aboriginals, two about Inuit people in Canada and one about Native Americans. This course will endeavor to examine and learn about the life cultures of these people from their stories as told through film. Each film is chosen because it’s a great story; it features either the language and actors from the local people portrayed in the film; and/or it is based upon a native story or rings true of their lives. We will examine perception of the “other,” customs, life in community, and environment as part of our stories. Titles of the films (subject to change and availability) are Ten Canoes, Rabbit Proof Fence, Atanarjuat-The Fast Runner, Before Tomorrow, and Smoke Signals (or maybe The Sapphires).
Research Interests:
Description This course will take an in-depth look at 5 films by 2 Indian women directors who later settled in western countries. The class will show and discuss a trilogy of films by Deepa Mehta and 2 films by Mira Nair. We will view... more
Description This course will take an in-depth look at 5 films by 2 Indian women directors who later settled in western countries. The class will show and discuss a trilogy of films by Deepa Mehta and 2 films by Mira Nair. We will view the films in class on one week and discuss the next after reading reviews, history and commentary about the films. The films will be Fire, Earth, and Water by Deepa Mehta and Monsoon Wedding and Mississippi Masala by Mira Nair. We will explore the relationships of story as told by a woman and discover whether there are any differences of perspective in having a woman director. We will look at the “macro” picture of the background of history such as issues of poverty, war, prejudice, and role of women in society; and we will explore the “micro” picture of the individual caught in cultural expectations, a major theme in many of these films.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Description Jews have had a long, complex, and checkered relationship in France going back over a thousand years. The Ashkenazi Jewish community was decimated during the Holocaust, yet was rebuilt after the war. In addition, Sephardic... more
Description Jews have had a long, complex, and checkered relationship in France going back over a thousand years. The Ashkenazi Jewish community was decimated during the Holocaust, yet was rebuilt after the war. In addition, Sephardic Jews flooded into France from previously held French colonies and from other parts of the world. The unique community built in France from these two branches of Judaism will be examined through French language film. First we will examine the lighter side with several hilarious comedies such as Dad on the Run and Would I lie to you. Then we will examine the French situation in WWII through French eyes in Au Revoir les Enfants and the remnants afterward in Madam Rosa. We will explore the relationships of Jews and Muslims in The Wedding Song and Monsieur Ibrahim. Finally, we will take a look at Jews examining/dealing with their Jewish identities and family relationships in La Petit Jerusalem and Rashevsky’s Tango. We will conclude the class with contemporary Judaism in a light vein with God is Great, I’m Not and end with a French film about contemporary Israel Live and Become. There are no prerequisites for this class. No prior knowledge is needed.
Research Interests:
Description Throughout the 20th century, Jews have been part of the film landscape. This course will examine 10 fictional films that depict Jews in different historical circumstances during the century. Through course discussion and... more
Description Throughout the 20th century, Jews have been part of the film landscape. This course will examine 10 fictional films that depict Jews in different historical circumstances during the century. Through course discussion and partial in-class viewings, we will examine not only how Jews are depicted in those surroundings, but also examine how these films, created in different decades, reflect differing Jewish values and concerns. The films to be examined will be Hester Street, Uncle Moses, The Jazz Singer, Yidl Mitn Fidl, The Pianist, The Pawnbroker, The Chosen, Cast a Giant Shadow, The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, and A Serious Man. There are no prerequisites for this class. Participants will be expected to view the films during the week before each class by either viewing in a library, renting or buying a copy of the films. Members will be able to view brief readings about the films through the eBoard, so computer use is required. Each class is primarily an independent unit in this class. Films will be on Reserve at the Brandeis Library for viewing throughout the weeks.
Research Interests:
This ten-week course will explore how Jewish music helped shape and express Jewish identities in America. Do you want to know about, and understand the varieties of Jewish music here in America? This course will be a survey of American... more
This ten-week course will explore how Jewish music helped shape and express Jewish identities in America. Do you want to know about, and understand the varieties of Jewish music here in America? This course will be a survey of American Jewish music from the colonial period through the present, highlighting individual contributions and general trends of music. This course will emphasize understanding the music through the lens of an American-Jewish context. We will discuss how an amazing array of musical styles represented expressions of Jewishness-- from Bloch to Bernstein, Gershwin to Isaacson, Rosenblatt to Carlebach, Ellstein to Statman, from Zeisler to Ziegfeld to Zorn. We will examine the relationships of socio-historical changes to the musical styles from the Golden Age of Cantors, Yiddish songs, musicals, synagogue repertoire, klezmer revival, to today’s Jewish hip hop. We will learn about the transformations in the musical roles women have played in both synagogue and in popular culture.
An original translation of pp. 81-85 from Yiddish into English. as part of a translation project at Columbia University.
Starting in 2019, with the relaunch of Western States Jewish History Journal, I am serving as book editor.
Despite the restrictions of “kol ishah,” Jewish women have participated as leaders in worship since the Middle Ages. This talk will give a quick historical overview of women’s roles leading music and liturgy from the early European... more
Despite the restrictions of “kol ishah,” Jewish women have participated as leaders in worship since the Middle Ages. This talk will give a quick historical overview of women’s roles leading music and liturgy from the early European zogerins, to today’s cantors in synagogues across America. In our time together, we will stop to hear about the work of some of the most famous Jewish women, including some early khazantes, cantorial soloists and cantors. Together we’ll learn about the process how women went from the periphery to central roles in synagogue musical life. There will be time for questions and answers following the presentation.
A Talk presented via Zoom for Temple Beth Sholom, Sarasota, Florida,
Jan. 20, 2022
A Talk presented via Zoom for Temple Beth Sholom, Sarasota, Florida,
Jan. 20, 2022
Research Interests:
Judy Pinnolis discusses the emergence of women cantors -- from the zogerin to the khazentes to official ordination status. Includes musical examples. A program of The Zamir Chorale of Boston's initiative: "Kolot Nashim: Women in Jewish... more
Judy Pinnolis discusses the emergence of women cantors -- from the zogerin to the khazentes to official ordination status. Includes musical examples. A program of The Zamir Chorale of Boston's initiative: "Kolot Nashim: Women in Jewish Music." https://zamir.org.
Research Interests:
A program of The Zamir Chorale of Boston's initiative: "Kolot Nashim: Women in Jewish Music." https://zamir.org. An interview of Judith Pinnolis held in February, 2021. Youtube of Entire Interview 1:03:35... more
A program of The Zamir Chorale of Boston's initiative: "Kolot Nashim: Women in Jewish Music." https://zamir.org. An interview of Judith Pinnolis held in February, 2021.
Youtube of Entire Interview 1:03:35
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiZk1ZAmqE
Edited Interview:38:36
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnHjdmog_vg&t=120s
Youtube of Entire Interview 1:03:35
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTiZk1ZAmqE
Edited Interview:38:36
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnHjdmog_vg&t=120s
Research Interests:
An overview presentation on the Life and Works of Miriam Gideon, primarily focused on her sacred music. The lecture covers her life and compositional style in early works, including Lyric Piece, Hound of Heaven, How Goodly are Thy Tents,... more
An overview presentation on the Life and Works of Miriam Gideon, primarily focused on her sacred music. The lecture covers her life and compositional style in early works, including Lyric Piece, Hound of Heaven, How Goodly are Thy Tents, Adon Olam, Three Biblical Masks, and moves to her later sacred works.