By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — Books, sheet music, phonograph records and CDs are all part of the Jewish music collection of the Astor Judaica Library at the Lawrence Family JCC. After long years of sorting and cataloguing, Ted Parker and I have completed the task of organizing this wonderful collection, now available to the community.
The large array of religious and secular music grew from the library of Cantor Henri Goldberg z’l, who trained as a cantor in Berlin and led choirs in Detroit before coming to San Diego. He and his wife, Molly z’l (first cousin to Mollie Picon), enriched the Jewish Community in many ways. Henri served as cantor and choir director at several Jewish houses of
worship, and he conducted a choir at the 54th Street Jewish Community Center. The couple were also active leaders in the JCC Music Committee.
Among Goldberg’s donations were manuscripts of his original choral arrangements and volumes of synagogue service chants dating back to the mid-1800s.
A second major contributor to the collection was Professor Harry Ruja z’l, who taught in the philosophy and psychology departments of SDSU, and sang in the JCC and Beth Tefilah Choirs.
The third important contributor was Congregation Beth Israel’s Cantor Emeritus, Sheldon Merel. When he and his wife, Marcie z’l, moved into Seacrest Village, he generously donated books, sheet music and records.
The library continues to welcome contributions of Jewish music.
The Astor Judaica collection of books, sheet music, recordings and CDs includes liturgical music, Israeli music, Yiddish music, Ladino music, and music with English texts. There are also recordings of narrations, including ones by Abba Eban.
From Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt to Debbie Friedman, there is a large assortment of liturgical music. From Dave Tarras to Yale Strom, there is an abundance of klezmer music. Yiddish music includes songs from the European Shtetl to New York’s Second Avenue, sung by artists such as Theodore Bikel, and Chava Albertsheim. From Bracha Sfira to Yoram Gaon, numerous Israeli solo artists and groups are represented. A limited number of Ladino songs are also included.
Another category is Jewish-themed classical music, such as Ernest Bloch’s Sacred Service and Leonard Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony. Many Jewish performers are also included.
Sheet music may be copied. Most books, records, and CDs may be borrowed. The books are located in the M (for Music) section of the library shelves. At the desk are three catalogs listing the sheet music and books, the records, and the CDs. Searchable PDFs of the music, by category and performer, are available on the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center website:
For sheet music, www.lfjcc.org/ajl/librarymusic.aspx
For phonograph records: www.lfjcc.org/ajl/jewishrecords.aspx
For CDs: www.lfjcc.org/about/cdcollection.aspx.
A record player, which is housed in the closet where the records are stored, is available, with headphones, so that the recordings and CDs may be listened to while in the library.
It is suggested that visitors to the music collection make an appointment with Melanie Rubin or her assistant by calling: calling 858-362-1142.
At various times, one of the Astor Judaica Library’s volunteer staff may be available to guide the visitor through the extensive Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library.
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Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com