Jewish American Heritage Month

By Becky Greenstein
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​Jewish American Heritage Month is an excellent time to learn about some of the contributions Jewish Americans have made to American society. We make up only 1.7% of the United States population but have contributed quite a lot! And as a music teacher, I'm particularly inclined to draw you towards some famous Jews in music.

Dorothy Fields was a trailblazing lyricist and librettist (someone who writes librettos, or scripts for musicals) who lived from 1904-1974. Collaborating with iconic composers like Jerome Kern and Cy Coleman (both also Jewish!), Fields penned some of the most memorable songs in the Great American Songbook, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of musical theater and popular music. From the timeless classics "The Way You Look Tonight" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" to the exuberant "On the Sunny Side of the Street," Fields' lyrics captured the essence of joy, romance, and the human experience with wit, charm, and sophistication. She won an Academy Award for "The Way You Look Tonight", a Tony Award for best lyrics for Redhead, and she was the first woman elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame (posthumously).

Joshua Nelson is a gospel singer and Hebrew teacher working today. His vibrant performances celebrating the intersection of Jewish tradition and gospel music have earned him the moniker the "Prince of Kosher Gospel." He has performed with musical legends such as Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, and Aretha Franklin. Through his innovative fusion of Hebrew melodies and soulful gospel rhythms, Nelson pays homage to his Jewish roots while fostering unity and joy. 
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You may have seen a 2000 documentary made about his life, and a clip of him performing "Hinei Ma Tov (Behold, How Pleasant)" is currently making the rounds in my Instagram feed:
https://www.facebook.com/weitzmanmuseum/videos/844504647447162/

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Becky is our Music Specialist. You may reach her by emailing [email protected] with the subject line 'attn: Becky Greenstein

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