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By Recorded Sound Archives, August 22, 2013 12:59 pm

5774     A new year.  In case you haven’t noticed…the world is changing.

I’ve heard it a thousand times, “things just aren’t the way they used to be!”

The future is unpredictable. Like a wind storm moving things helter-skelter, we never know where things will end up.

The past, on the other hand, is well-known and stable. The values, traditions and  perspectives of our parents, grandparents and ancestors do not change. We may cherish the past or we may discard it.  You get to choose.

Ask yourself, “What happens to the past when you are no longer around to remember it?” Does it disappear? Or does it remain as a treasure trove of discovery for  future generations?

High Holy Days in the Conservative Synagogue  sung by Cantor Moshe Schwimmer is just one example  of how the Judaica Sound Archives attempts to bring the unique qualities of early 20th century European liturgical music into the present. And, hopefully, the future.

This wonderful recording was created by the JSA from the private recordings of Cantor Moshe Schwimmer and can only be heard on this website. Moshe Schwimmer was a cantor whose beautiful voice and soulful singing touched audiences for decades. Yet, his voice might have been lost forever were it not for one man’s strong desire to cherish his brother’s memory and protect his legacy.

Zalman Schwimmer (a.k.a. Sydney), personally hand-carried his brother’s private tape recordings (along with some memorabilia and biographical information) to the Wimberly Library on Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus. He told us about his brother, “He never made any commercial recordings.  That wasn’t for him. He didn’t want to be famous. He didn’t try to please others.  He was just always striving for perfection.”

The Judaica Sound Archives is proud of its role in the preservation of Jewish culture. We believe that by bringing the unique qualities of early 20th century European liturgical music into the present we contribute to its survival into the future.

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By Recorded Sound Archives, August 25, 2010 1:05 pm

During the High Holy Days Jews around the world congregate to experience a sense of spiritual community.  It is a time of family gatherings and happy times juxtaposed with introspection and solemn prayer.

In choosing the music for this year’s JSA High Holy Days Music Mix we wanted to highlight the voices of cantors who have devoted themselves to perfecting their art. The High Holy Days has inspired some of the most beautiful and compelling Jewish sacred music ever recorded. On this album we feature such legendary cantors as Leib Glantz, Leibele Waldman, Gershon Sirota and Moishe Oysher. We also highlight the interpretations of some of today’s finest cantors.

In addition, we also wanted to share the more upbeat, happy tunes that appeal to children learning about Jewish traditions and the meaning of the holidays. Some of my fondest memories are of helping my mother prepare for the big holiday dinner and learning about the special foods that meant a “happy new year!’

This special mix of songs has been excerpted from albums which can be heard any time on our website. The mix includes light-hearted, yet meaningful, songs for children.  It also includes some of the most beautiful cantorial music ever written. Enjoy!

Click here to hear all 18 songs or to listen to your favorites.

These songs are for your listening pleasure only.  They may not be copied, reproduced or sold.

Excerpts of selections from these albums were used to create the JSA High Holidays Music Mix 5771.

Click on any title to hear the entire album.

(1) Ye Shall Rejoice On Your Festivals by Shimon & Ilana Gewirtz

(2) Simeni Ka Hotam by Cantor Ehud Spielman

(3) Misha Alexandrovich by Cantor Misha Alexandrovich

(4) Concerts & Recitals #3 by Cantor Zvee Aroni

(5)  Our Prayers in Song by Cantor Henry Butensky

(6) Prayers of My People by Cantor Louis Danto

(7) Chants Folkloriques Israeliens by Cantor Michel Heymann

(8)  Hallel & Three Festivals by Cantor Leib Glantz

(9) High Holy Days in a Conservative Synagogue by Cantor Moshe Schwimmer

(10) Holidays around the Year by Chaim Parchi

(11) Kinder Songs – Holiday Songs for the Entire Family by Cantor Deborah Katchko-Gray

(12) S’iz Yontev Kinder! Lomir Zingen by Cindy Paley

(13) Teshuva: Liturgical Explorations for the Days of Awe by Ramon Tasat

(14) Chassidic Melodies by Cantor Leibele Waldman

(15) Cantorial Chants & Jewish Songs by Cantor Seymour Schwartzman

(16) European Recordings (1906-1907) Vol. 2 by Cantor Gershon Sirota

(17) The Power, The Glory, The Soul of Moishe Oysher by Moishe Oysher