By Paul Goldfinger, MD. Editor @Blogfinger.net
KLEZMER MUSIC. This music has its roots in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. But Klezmer music was scattered all over the world after the Holocaust. It almost faded out of sight, but then it began to take root again in America as well as in Europe.
It used to be played almost exclusively at weddings, but in recent years it was embraced by young musicians who blended it into all sorts of styles such as rock, jazz and hip hop. The genre is branching out in many sorts of creative ways.
Here is the Amsterdam Klezmer Band in Hungary. This is what Klezmer is in the 21st century. It shows that you don’t have to be Jewish to love Klezmer. “Di Zilberne Chassene” (It’s about a wedding.)
They stopped conducting such interviews about 20 years ago. Today there is a substantial Jewish population in the Grove, and there are many who belong to the OG Chavurah—ie fellowship. We moved here in 1998 and have experienced no anti-semitism. If anything, it is just the opposite.
The recent swstika eruption which occurred on mischief night was not officially declared a bias incident by the police, and so far, has not recurred. It was a one day news story. —Paul @Blogfinger
Tenter – My husband is Jewish, and when we moved here a long time ago you had to go through an “interview” with the Camp Meeting Association in order to “lease” your property. They would ask what church you belonged to, what volunteerism you could offer, etc.
When my husband said he was Jewish, the representative from the Camp Meeting actually said:, “There was a time we wouldn’t let your kind in here.”
I don’t believe they still conduct “interviews”, nor do the realtors hand them the folded paper entitled “Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association Rules and Regulations.
I work in a psychiatric hospital with a special unit for Orthodox Jewish patients; every week a Klezmer band comes to play for the patients and staff and lift spirits. This music is very healing and joyful!