Jewish String Theory

My New Video Drops on String Instruments in Jewish Culture

Today, I’m announcing the launch of my newest Jewish music video project.

But first, some background on how I got around to caring about its subject matter: Jews & Strings.

As I began my undergraduate years, I toyed with two possible vocations: English teacher or professional cellist. The former interest I acquired as a teen actor, galvanized by a profound summer at Shakespeare camp. The latter came from my long-term love of the violoncello, which I had played since the age of ten. As I advanced into regional and state orchestras, it seemed for a time as if strings were my destiny.

The author as a youth, playing for his grandparents.

Yet a divinely-tricky twist of fate lay ahead, as I pivoted in college towards vocal performance and then ultimately (and unexpectedly) into the cantorate. But my orchestral background — and ear — never left me. I still live life like a cello player: listening closely, providing both melody and accompaniment, and trying to know my place in the larger symphony of things.

Several years ago, I was privileged to serve as a part-time cantor in Sarasota — a vibrant and culture-filled city on Florida’s Gulf Coast. On free nights, I had the pleasure of attending the symphony, the opera, and Itzhak Perlman’s Suncoast Music Program, in which the famous maestro and his wife Toby created an amazing two-week intensive for the world’s most talented young string players (Incidentally, a happy belated birthday to the maestro, who turned 80 yesterday).

My synagogue in Sarasota was full of culture mavens, so I developed a course for them that united their twin passions for music and Judaism. Hence “The Jewish Guide to the Orchestra” series was born, and it sent me poring over biblical, talmudic, medieval, and modern sources to uncover the Jewish approach to each instrument family,

I was very surprised by what I discovered. And I have offered excerpts of it here on Substack, at least with regards to woodwinds and brass.

But now, for the first time, I’m unveiling some of my discoveries about Jews and strings with the help of my friends at the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience.

My first time in front of a green screen, filming last April in Santa Monica, CA.

Based at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, the Lowell Milken Center is a major force for increasing knowledge of Jewish music in America, supporting research, conferences, performances, and even experimental social media. After some comic shorts I shot with my iPhone this past spring, the Center invited me out to Santa Monica to professionally film a handful of medium-length “edutainment” videos on Jewish music. I’m grateful to my masters advisor and long-time collaborative partner, Dr. Mark Kligman, and his team for letting me try my hand at writing and performing these modern twists on Jewish music education.

Enjoy this first one on the Jewish approach to strings. And there’s more to come.

So like a good string instrument — stay tuned.