Singing has always been an integral part of Jewish prayer; singing on Shabbat, singing in choirs, singing in small groups. Whether its Chassidic niggunim or the melodies of Shlomo Carlebach, Debbie Friedman or Safam, prayer and song have a special connection. According to the ancient Hebrew numerological system of Gematria (גימטריה), the practice of assigning a numerical value to a name, word or phrase by reading it as a number or an alphanumerical cipher, the numerical value of the words for prayer or tefillah (תְּפִלָּה) and song or shirah (שירה) are identical. In case you curious, it’s 515.
FJMC’s Israeli and Jewish Music Affinity Group is a timely, interactive, Zoom based discussion about Israeli and Jewish Music. Get ready to enjoy some of the best Collaborative Pieces of Music and learn a little bit about the artists and events that made them possible. Learn something new and sing with joy when we come together in Brotherhood to meet in the FJMC’s virtual Beit Shira.
Please tune in on Monday evening November 18 at 8pm ET for the next session of the FJMC Israeli and Jewish Music Affinity Group and get ready to enjoy some of the best collaborative pieces of music and learn a little bit about the artists and events that made them possible and join us for a presentation that will definitely get you into the spirit of Hanukkah. Our November 18 session will feature “Mizrachi Music Part One: A presentation by Jason Hecht”. Want to learn about and hear Mizrachi Music including artists such as Eyal Golan, Dudu Aharon and many more.
This presentation will include some interactive audience participation — Mizrachi Jews who immigrated from the Arab countries have, over the last 50 years, created a unique musical style that combines elements of Arabic, Turkish, and Greek music.. Register today at: https://fjmc.org/israeli-jewish-music-fjmc-affinity-group and be part of the fun.
Mizrachi Jews who immigrated from the Arab countries have, over the last 50 years, created a unique musical style that combines elements of Arabic, Turkish, and Greek music. The Muzika Mizrachit movement started in the 1950s with homegrown performers in neighborhoods with a high concentration of Jews from Arab countries who would play at weddings and other events. They performed songs in Hebrew, but in an Arabic style, on traditional Arabic instruments—the oud, kanun, and the darbuka. In the 1960s, they added acoustic and electric guitar to their sound and so their sound became more eclectic. Vocalists usually decorated their singing with trills, and delivery was often nasal or guttural in sound. Intonation was typically Western, however; singers did not use the quartertone scales typical of Arabic music. Into the 1980s synthesizers and electronic instruments made their debut in Mizrachi music. The first Mizrachi artist of this era was the Moroccan-born Jo Amar, who through the 1950s and 1960s made several albums and songs contributing to the genre, mostly influenced by Moroccan music. Another notable if foreign artist that helped contribute to the young genre was Aris San, who helped popularize Greek music in Israel in the 1960s and 1970s with his distinct rock style on traditional Greek songs. Lyrics were originally texts taken from classic Hebrew literature, including poems by medieval Hebrew poets. Later they added texts by Israeli poets, and began writing original lyrics as well. Singers also translated childhood favorites from Arabic to Hebrew and added electronics and a faster tempo.
The Israeli and Jewish Music Affinity Group is part of a growing list of FJMC Affinity Groups and is offered at no charge to Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods across the United States and around the world. Learn more at https://fjmc.org/israeli-jewish-music-fjmc-affinity-group or email jhecht@hotmail.com. Music has magical healing powers. Register for FJMC Israeli and Jewish Music Affinity Group today and sing your heart out tomorrow.
This invitation to join the Israeli and Jewish Music Affinity Group is brought to you by the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We serve the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Learn more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at: www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit & LIKE our Facebook Group at: www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
The FJMC is a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn how YOUR Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
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