LA JOLLA, California (Press Release) –The Samuel and Rebecca Astor Judaica Library, located at the Lawrence Family JCC, has unveiled two new collections sure to delight music lovers across the spectrum including students, historians, teachers, and, of course, musicians. The collections were a labor of love for library volunteers, Eileen Wingard and Ted Parker, who have been collecting, organizing and archiving the massive collection since 2006.
The Special Jewish Music Score Collection contains over 1400 vocal and instrumental scores of both Jewish liturgical and secular music. Some of the works date back to the 1800’s while others are contemporary. Vocal scores are in Yiddish, German, Ladino, Russian, English, and Hebrew. Instrumental scores include parts for violin, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, tenor sax, trumpet, cornet, harp, mandolin, piano, organ, and mandolin. Much of the sheet music in this new collection was donated by local cantor and choir director, Henri Goldberg along with the late Dr. Harry Ruja, who was the founder of San Diego State University’s Judaic Studies Department.
The Jewish Music Record Collection contains over 600 vocal and instrumental albums of Jewish religious and secular music in Hebrew, Yiddish, English, and Ladino. A majority of these records were donated by Dr. Ruja as well as Sheldon Merel, Cantor Emeritus, Congregation Beth Israel. The religious records, all in Hebrew, feature solos by cantors, rabbis and cantorial soloists. Secular records span generations and include both Jewish music and Jewish musicians. The library has just acquired a Victrola turntable, complete with headphones, allowing patrons to listen to the new music collection during their visit.
The Samuel & Rebecca Astor Judaica Library contains over 16,000 items and is a community library that serves all ages. The library’s collection offers philosophical, cultural, and historical literature of the Jewish people, as well as resources for research, circulation, and online access.
Access to the Special Collections can be arranged by emailing melanier@lfjcc.org or by calling (858)362-1141. Members and non-members alike are welcome to browse, listen and check-out materials. More information about the Astor Judaica Library, its catalog, programs, and services — including the Special Music Collections, are listed on the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture website at www.sdcjc.org/ajl.
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Preceding provided by the Lawrence Family JCC