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An Insight on Jewish Music
An Insight on Jewish Music
Music is intricately woven in the Jewish culture and maintains a healthy balance of religion, society and politics.
Santa Barbara,
CA,
United States of America
(prbd.net)
03/11/2010
Santa Barbara, CA ( ) November 1, 2010 - Music has remained the hallmark of every ancient culture, wherein the people of that culture express themselves through music. Similarly, music has been an important aspect of the Jewish culture, through which the common Jew has conveyed his emotions. Jewish music ( http://www.soulaviv.com ) was a part of the Jewish worship in ancient temples and this tradition continues till date with Yossele Rosenblatt, Shlomo Carlebach, and Debbi Freidman. Jewish music today however extends beyond its synagogues and covers the concert halls of Israel, the Klezmer revival and the reggae of Matisyahu.
Jewish music is reminiscent of popular culture and has certainly come a long way from the time when the Jews embraced Zionist folk songs to the beginning of the middle east tinged ballads and to the import of hip hop songs. The music has reflected the struggles of a nascent community. Popular Israeli music is called Shirei Eretz Yisrael, or Land of Israel songs. The lyrics of these music was written around the 1930’s and 40’s and encouraged the youth to reclaim the land of their forefathers. Thus, these songs included romantic themes about the new and natural surroundings of the new immigrants.
Later, as times progressed, Israel was threatened by hostile neighbors and the nation was defended by the Israeli defense forces. Thus these forces were revered, and songs now began showcasing the glory of these defense personnel. Military bands which travelled throughout the country to entertain troops were very popular.
Later during the 1960’s Israel started opening up to world music, but with skepticism. The then Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion is believed to have refused the Beatles to play in Israel fearing that this would contaminate the minds of the country’s youth. However things changed with ‘Shablool’ a collaboration between Arik Einstein and Shalom Hanoch, which later became the foundation stone of Israel’s rock scene.
The 1970’s saw a heavy import and export of Jewish ( http://www.soulaviv.com ) music. Israel joined the Eurovision popular song contest that helped showcase the talents of many youngsters.
Later Jewish music became anti- establishment and started preaching peace instead of war. Jewish music which was until then, influenced by the Mediterranean was later influenced by the Middle East thanks to Zohar Argov, who‘s single “The flower in my garden” was a huge hit with middle eastern Jews. Today Jewish music has imported the electronic techno and trance music from Europe and the hip hop African American Ghetto style form the US.
“Jewish music is interestingly not only relegated to Israel but has been influenced by the huge Jewish Diaspora”, says Mr. Rob Raede of SoulAviv , a four person vocal group from Santa Barbara that has performed all over North America at synagogues, JCC’s conferences , college campuses, and Jewish festivals.
“We sing in English and Hebrew, and our music is infused with the sounds of folk, Motown, gospel, Memphis soul, and the great harmony groups of the 60's and 70's, with lyrics that are socially conscious and mixed with Jewish heritage , spirituality and celebration.
To know more, visit, http://www.soulaviv.com
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About
“We sing in English and Hebrew, and our music is infused with the sounds of folk, Motown, gospel, Memphis soul, and the great harmony groups of the 60's and 70's, with lyrics that are socially conscious and mixed with Jewish heritage , spirituality and celebration. To know more, visit, http://www.soulaviv.com
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