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By Recorded Sound Archives, February 18, 2013 3:19 pm

March 2 – 8, 2013

Click here for full information about all Kultur events

 2nd Avenue Jazz n’ Jive

   Aaron Kula’s KCO

   Sunday, 3/3/13 @ 3pm

   Carole & Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium

   FAU Boca Raton Campus

My Friends Leonard Bernstein & Aaron Copland

Martin Bookspan

Tuesday, 3/5/13 @ 2pm

Wimberly Library 5th floor

FAU Boca Raton Campus

  KLEZMEROLA: Yiddish Music on the Pianola

   Bob Berkman

   Friday, 3/8/13 @ 2pm

   Wimberly Library 5th floor

   FAU Boca Raton Campus

   Click here to listen to Bob Berkman recordings

   Click here to find out more about experiencing “nostalgia with a twist”, old time good fun and a virtuoso performance unlike anything you have heard before.

Tickets: click here                                          Call 1-800-564-9539

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By Recorded Sound Archives, January 2, 2013 2:03 pm

If you can remember the 1940s and 1950s then you are old enough to remember the heyday of vinyl children’s records. Perhaps you sat for hours on end listening to the phonograph as its spinning turntable produced stories and songs that only seemed to improve  with each playing. This was the golden age  of American vintage kiddie recordings.

Yet, it took a pioneer to ask: why not create kiddie records that would be relevant for Jewish children?

Gladys Gewirtz was that pioneer. She was the first to create recordings specifically for Jewish youngsters. Together with her sister, Roz Grossman, they produced recordings based on familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

Many performers have created Jewish children’s records since that time. The Judaica Sound Archives is delighted to share with you its collection of more than 930 songs and stories for Jewish children on more than 60 albums.  Browse them all.

Yanky At The Pesach Seder With Zeude

Alef Bet in Song and Story: Fred Vogel & Jesse Silverstein

Sorry! I Just Don’t Have the Time – An Adventure Story for Jewish Children

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By Recorded Sound Archives, December 10, 2012 1:26 pm

 Chanukah celebrations are joyous occasions with lots of holiday gifts, decorations and parties.

The eight-day festival of Chanukah retells a story about hope, the importance of maintaining Jewish traditions, and the symbolic power of light.

Of course, at the Judaica Sound Archives we always celebrate Chanukah with music!

Back by popular demand, the JSA’s wonderful collection of Chanukah songs that will entertain and delight the entire family.

From the Children’s Village Choir singing Hanukkah is Here to Moshe Oysher singing Maoz Tzur with his sister Fraydele and his niece Marilyn Michaels, the songs in this collection express the essence of the holiday. Joyous songs, children’s songs that teach about the holiday, traditional songs, and a new twist on an old favorite have been included.

May your holidays be filled with the music that fills your heart. Best wishes for a Happy Chanukah!

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By Recorded Sound Archives, October 1, 2012 2:33 pm

Bob Berkman’s pianola brings a rich new sound to vintage early 20th century Jewish music

The first time I heard Bob Berkman’s CD, Klezmerola, I just couldn’t stop playing it. I loved the old time sound that Bob was able to achieve with his pianola. I loved the way the sound of the pianola (player piano) augmented the  impact of the music that had once defined a generation of Jews and now was fading from memory.

I am delighted that the Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University can now boast a collection of 47 Jewish songs by America’s premier pianolist, Bob Berkman.

I wrote the following review in September 2008 for the Association of Jewish Libraries. After listening to the CD many times since then, I still feel the same way.

“Take an almost vanished technology (player pianos), add vintage Jewish music and stir with just a hint of ragtime and what do you get? Klezmerola! An absolutely delightful CD album that is fun, fresh and freylekh. In this album of “Jewish music from rare piano rolls” Bob Berkman does an incredible job of bringing the music to life with a vitality achieved by actually foot-pumping an old upright player piano. The accompanying 16 page booklet provides information about each song and about the rediscovery of Jewish piano rolls. Such old familiar Yiddish songs as “Odesser Bulgar,” “Yosel,” and “Die Griene Cosina” seem especially well-suited for Bob Berkman’s pianola interpretations. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite track.  I loved them all!”

In the liner notes for his two volume CD, Klezmerola at the Yiddish Theater, Bob Berkman tells us that ” Piano roll manufacturers…were eager to record and sell current hits, and for attracting immigrant Jewish customers there was no greater source than Yiddish Theater…The market was never a large one…and surviving examples are rare.” The music on these three CDs took over 35 years to assemble.

The piano rolls only contain notes (like sheet music). Bringing them to life with dynamics, accents, phrasing, and emotion is the work of the pianolist, the person operating the player piano. Bob Berkman’s unique talent revitalizes this vintage music, providing a generous portion of nostalgia. . . . with a twist!

Bob Berkman’s love affair with the pianola began in 1975 when he was hired by QRS in Buffalo, NY, the world’s last remaining piano roll manufacturer. His talents brought him the opportunity to work on such films as Ragtime, The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, and Reds ( in cooperation with  Stephen Sondheim). He has appeared on NPR, BBC, and CBS Sunday Morning.

Using a 1912 “push-up” portable pianola, Berkman effectively turns any piano into a player piano allowing him to perform  in venues all across America. In great demand as a speaker and performer, his unique and deeply personal work with Jewish rolls has been especially gratifying to him.  His important discovery of George Gershwin’s only Jewish piano roll and the haunting A Gitte Nacht by the obscure Samuel Perlstein are among his most treasured accomplishments.

For information about how to buy recordings by Bob Berkman, please click here.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, September 12, 2012 1:22 pm

Rabbi/Cantor David Sirull posted this upbeat musical Rosh Hashanna video on You Tube.  He is the spiritual leader of the Conservative synagogue in Augusta, Georgia and was classically trained in the art of Eastern European Chazanut. To hear a different side of Cantor Sirull’s talents listen to Mizmor Shir which is part of the Judaica Sound Archives collection.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, August 29, 2012 1:05 pm

Manning Martus (at left) with sister, Allyn, and mom, Devra

Manning Martus, along with her younger sister, Allyn and her mom, Devra, visited the Judaica Sound Archives at the Wimberly Library on FAU’s Boca Raton campus in October 2011.

She was looking for Mitzvah Project that reflected both her interest in music and her respect for her cultural heritage. And. She had a plan.

I was delighted. She had all sorts of ideas about how to encourage her friends and family to donate recordings to the JSA. “I think people have these recordings and aren’t using them,” she told me.

What about folks who don’t have any old Jewish records lying around the house? “I also plan on getting financial contributions from people,” she replied.

When Manning and her family made a return visit to the JSA on August 20,2012 they were full of smiles. . . . and so was I! I learned that Manning’s Bat Mitzvah (June 9, 2012) had been a great success and that Manning had done such a wonderful job singing that she was invited to join the B’nai Aviv Synagogue adult choir.

Manning was enthusiastic about her Mitzvah project. It  was fun for her to bring together her passion for music with the opportunity to do something important in her Jewish community.  By talking about the JSA’s website and mission she encouraged monetary donations and also donations of recordings from personal music collections.

Manning plans to continue her efforts on behalf of the JSA.  She plans to raise money by selling “Save the Music” bracelets to members of her congregation and others.

To show our appreciation of her efforts we presented Manning with a special JSA record label commemorating her achievement.

To learn more about making a financial contribution click here.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, August 20, 2012 11:56 am

Jacob Barkin became an internationally acclaimed cantor and operatic performer during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He performed with the Pittsburgh and New York Symphony Orchestras and was offered a contract by the Metropolitan Opera (which he declined). Early in his career he became a White House favorite of presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. While officiating at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington DC (1952 – 1975) he was invited to perform at the White House by presidents Dwight Eisenhower and  Richard Nixon.

A highlight of his career was being asked to  step into Richard Tucker’s role as Cantor for High Holiday services at the famous Concord Hotel in upstate New York (Catskills). He officiated at Holy Blossom Congregation in Toronto, until his retirement in 1995.

A strong supporter of Israeli statehood,  he was decorated by the Israeli government.

The JSA’s collection of recordings by Cantor Barkin is comprised of 10 albums, one of which was created at the JSA from previously unreleased recordings.

Click here to listen to any or all of these recordings.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, June 28, 2012 10:36 am

Now you can celebrate the 4th of July and your Jewish heritage at the same time.

This new compilation of songs from the Judaica Sound Archives at Florida Atlantic University Libraries in Boca Raton, FL is about the American Jewish experience.

It contains  Yiddish songs recorded during the early 20th century and expresses a Jewish immigrant perspective on New York, Coney Island and other things distinctly American.

You will also hear American patriotic songs sung by Jewish performers, Mike Burstyn singing about America in Hebrew and, from FAU’s Recorded Sound Archives Vintage 78s Collection, a very young Frank Sinatra singing “America the Beautiful.”

Click on the image above to hear this special compilation of songs from the JSA.

1. My America’s Free: Written byJerome Lipman and Irving Lewis. Sung by Molly Picon and Seymour Rechtzeit with the Abraham Ellstein Orchestra and Dave Tarras on clarinet. This upbeat tune lists some of the many things to love about America…..especially freedom!

2. Ich Dank dir Got fur America: Sung by Leibele Waldman.

3. America: Sung by Yiddish Theater star, Josef Feldman.

4. Yankee Doodle: This well-known Anglo-American song from the revolutionary War era is sung by Jewish singer/educator, Judy Caplan Ginsburgh.

5. I’m Going to Miami: Benny Bell tells a story of his trip to Miami Beach, Florida by train.

6. Hot Dogs and Knishes: Aaron Lebedeff sings this comic Yiddish song about Coney Island, NY.

7. Hurray far NY: This recording is from a 1967 recording of Pesach Burstein’s Yiddish Theater performance from “The Vilna Komiker.”

8. America Ich Lieb Dich (America I Love You): Sung by Yiddish Theater star, Gus Goldstein.

9. Ragtime Fiddle: Written by Irving Berlin and sung by Simon Paskal

10. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny: Originally a song sung by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, it was recast in 1878 from the slave’s perspective. This 1916 recording by Jewish opera star, Alma Gluck, is said to have been the first operatic celebrity recording to ever sell a million copies.

11. Tell That to the Marines: Written during WWI,  sung by Al Jolson.

12. God Bless the USA: This recordingis from the Judy Caplan Ginsburgh album, Musical America.

13. America America: Mike Burstyn’s tribute to the land of his birth sung in Hebrew.

14. America the Beautiful: This recording by a very young Frank Sinatra is from FAU’s Recorded Sound Archives Vintage 78rpm music collection.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, May 14, 2012 1:19 pm

Rabbi/Cantor David Shneyer is a singer-composer, guitarist, and clarinetist . He grew up in Lakewood, New Jersey. After graduating from Rutgers University in 1970 Shneyer moved to Washington, D.C. Along with fiddler Alan Oresky he created new Jewish liturgical folk music and founded the popular folk and klezmer band the Fabrangen Fiddlers in 1971. This group remains devoted to the rediscovery of Jewish folk music and the development of new Jewish liturgical folk music.

Sometimes known as a Human Rights Rabbi he is the director of AmKolel Sanctuary and Renewal Center in Pikesville MD.

He recently visited the Occupy DC site in McPherson Square to play music and share the traditions of Sukkot.

Click here to see video.

Click here to listen to the JSA collection of Cantor Shneyer’s music.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, March 29, 2012 11:58 am

Passover  traditions and memories . . . .

A time for family gatherings.

A time to ask the ”four questions.”

A time to search for the afikomen.

A time to recite the ten plagues.

A time for choroses and horseradish on matzo.

A time for Elijah’s glass of wine.

The Passover Seder  allows us to join together  in the warmth and safety of our homes to celebrate and remember our Jewish heritage.

If music and song have been a part of your Passover Seder over the years  the recordings in the JSA’s Passover Collection of Songs are sure to revive nostalgic memories of the past and to inspire new traditions for the future.

And if you are not already familiar with the wonderful music of the Passover Seder, it’s not too late to  join in and sing along!

Click here for links to the JSA’s Passover Album Collection.