Cantor Joseph Gross is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge about Jewish liturgy, Cantorial music, Cantorial voices and the history of the Cantorate in North America.
A delightful gentleman who has stored a lifetime of learning into his diminutive frame, Cantor Joseph Gross showed up at the Judaica Sound Archives a little over three years ago wondering if he could be of any help. His warmth and his big smile took us in immediately. But what captivated us was his encyclopedic knowledge of all things Cantorial and liturgical.
As he spoke I could not help but think that he has probably forgotten more than most of us will ever know on the topic. But as he continued, I realized that he is blessed with almost perfect recall. Not much seems to have been forgotten at all. You may have heard of people with photographic memories, but Cantor Gross is the only person I have ever met with “phonographic memory,” i.e. he can recall voice and music impeccably. Read More About This…

Deeply emotional and rooted in the ancient songs of Judaism, the music of RebbeSoul brings a modern vibe that re-imagines the music of our ancestors. This is not your grandmother’s Jewish Music. This is not some crazy mash-up of eclectic sounds. This is spiritually-based music with modern sensibilities and a deep respect for the past.
After earning a degree in engineering, Bruce Burger (aka RebbeSoul)set off to explore L.A.’s music scene. Read More About This…
The last time it happened was in 1888. Chanukah and Thanksgiving…..at the same time!
Some might call it “Thanksgivukkah.” But whatever you call it, you can be sure that it won’t happen again for tens of thousands of years to come.
This year American Jews may be enjoying crispy, hot latkes with their Thanksgiving turkey. Sounds like a delicious combo to me. Yummmm.

Yet, despite this year’s rare opportunity to celebrate a double dose of survival and gratitude, some things will always remain the same. The Story of Chanukah reaches back in time way past the struggling Pilgrims on New England’s rocky coast. It reaches back to 167 BCE when the Syrian king Antiochus desecrated the Temple and outlawed Jewish practices. The five sons of the Jewish priest, Mattithius, were incited to revolt. Chanukah celebrates their victory and the miracle of the light that lasted for eight days during the Temple’s re-dedication. Read More About This…

Vintage Jewish piano roll boxes
Player pianos, pianolas and piano rolls were all the rage during Prohibition.
By the early 1920’s new advances in piano-roll technology gave rise to a complex, performance-oriented style of music that became the soundtrack of an era. Read More About This…