Jewish musical groups reflect history, faith

They are the same, yet different. Integrated, yet separate.

Jewish Americans, like members of other ethnic groups, cherish what distinguishes them from mainstream American culture, as well as what makes them an integral part of it.

At Sunday’s kosher dinner at Temple Beth Shalom, these dual aspects of Jewish identity will be given voice by two groups on the entertainment bill. Chutzpah performs klezmer music, which has its origins in Eastern Europe and is considered distinctly Jewish. The Mavens perform songs written by Jewish American composers, such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Carole King.

The dinner is an opportunity for people to celebrate and experience Judaism, said Rodney Antonio, who sings with the Mavens.

“You get some great entertainment and some food, and you get to learn about the Jewish culture,” Antonio said.

Klezmer music – upbeat and jazzy – is traditionally played at happy occasions such as weddings and bar mitzvahs, said Larry Weiser, who started Chutzpah.

“Klezmer music reflects Jewish culture,” he said.

A fellow band member, Berdine Bender, noted that klezmer has musical influences from various places Jewish people have lived, such as Spain and the Balkans, Israel and America.

“Music evolves from where people live so even klezmer has mainstreamed,” Bender said, referring to the inclusion of some American sounds.

As Weiser put it: “Klezmer is really just Jewish fusion music.”

In contrast, the Mavens sing American pop, jazz and show tunes. “There are a lot of people in the country who don’t grasp the Jewish connection in the music they’ve been listening to for years,” said Ron Klein.

For example, Irving Berlin, a Jew from Russia, wrote “God Bless America.” Harold Arlen wrote songs for Frank Sinatra and “The Wizard of Oz.”

“These are songs that last,” Klein said, and that “weave their way into the American consciousness.”

The fathers of both those men were cantors, who lead the singing portions of temple services, Klein said.

“All of the main events of Jewish religious life include chanting religious melodies, and that goes back centuries,” Klein added.

Showcasing these sides of Jewish culture is important because it promotes understanding and tolerance, Klein said. “In a very real-world way, it diminishes prejudice and misunderstanding.”

When the Jewish community opens itself up, he added, it lets people know, “We’re a lot like you. We have our uniqueness, but we’re a lot like you.”