African Americans and Jews – A Life of Parallels

NEWBURGH – The revival of klezmer in America really grew out of the counterculture and Alex Haley.

On Father’s Day, June 16th the unique style like no other Ferry Godmother Productions presented “Survival: A Musical Journey of Gospel and Jewish Klezmer”. This was a special performance of Gospel with “Saints of Swing” featuring Miss Rene Bailey and “Jewish Klezmer with the Hudson Valley Klez,” featuring Scott Eckers & Dale DeMarco. Thanks to the generosity of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield the concert was set in the oldest African American church in the Hudson Valley, AME Zion of Newburgh at 109 Washington Street in the City of Newburgh. The concert showcased music that resulted from blacks and Jews shared vital interests of survival. This event was a fundraiser for the nine (9) free summer Newburgh waterfront concerts, Newburgh Jazz Series, Orange County Pop, Rock & Doowop Series and Newburgh Jewish Music Series.

The destiny of blacks and Jews were intertwined. In the 1960s Jews were propelled into the civil rights movement with the belief that Jews and blacks shared the same agenda in America, living in a society of religious, ethnic, and racial barriers.

When exploring the parallels between Jews and African-Americans, both groups were powerless and victims of persecution. Early Jewish newspapers compared the black movement out of the South to the exodus from Egypt, noting that both blacks and Jews lived in ghettos and that both groups continue to succumb to American intolerance.

Gospel
Gospel evolved from songs of African American slaves in church and/or while working in the fields. The songs are religious in nature, but many had subtle political messages that were understood by the slaves but overlooked by their masters. Gospel has become a mainstream genre. Studies show the genre is especially popular with African-Americans with 68 percent of Americans listen to Christian or gospel music within the past 30 days and 93 percent having listened to the gospel within the past year.

Klezmer
The genre of Klezmer is a traditional musical from different centuries and cultures of Eastern Europe Jews. This Jewish folk music consists largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations.

Ferry Godmother Productions
Ferry Godmother Productions is a NY MWBE certified company in event production, advertising, marketing, audio, and video production. It produces multi-cultural, unique and quality entertainment venues forging unforgettable connections between guests and their host. Further, they specialize in assisting churches and community-based organizations grow their brand and membership. For more information, visit their website at: www.FerryGodmother.com

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