The songs, lyrics and melodies of the Jewish people record much more than historical facts-- they reveal the colorful range of the Jewish spirit set against the backdrop of world history.

This outstanding series, conceived and produced by educator and composer Dr. Tzipora H. Jochsberger, provides a comprehensive look at Jewish music around the world.  Directed by Asher Tlalim, each program is narrated by Martin Bookspan.

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"Extremely well produced... have achieved a nearly perfect balance between the accurate presentation of historical data and the expressive interpretation of living traditions."-Video Rating Guide

"Presents our colorful musical heritage in a fascinating, mesmerizing manner, second to none." -Naomi Shemer, Composer, "Jerusalem of Gold"

"This series is a must for schools, university libraries, community centers, synagogues and for the home." -Ethnomusicology

Europe: Toward the Twentieth Century 
Filmed in Vienna and St. Petersburg, this video illustrates the influence that 19th century European music exerted on Jewish music of that period.  Solomon Sulzer, for example, created rich choral works for the synagogue which emulate the musical style of Schubert and other composers of the period.  Members of the St. Petersburg Society of Jewish Folk Music, such as Joseph Achron and Joel Engel, turned Yiddish folksongs into art works. The video features the Schubert Boys Choir of Vienna, conducted by Matthew Lazar, Cantor Shmuel Barzilai, and Joseph Dorfman.
 

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ISBN 1-56082-201-5 
30 minutes, #781, Color, DVD, $29.95
 

Teiman: The Music of Yemenite Jewry 
An unusual sense of togetherness and an abundance of musical talent are the unique traits of Yemenite Jews. Mourning for the destruction of the Second Temple resulted in the prohibition of using musical instruments. Stringent in their observance, Yemenite Jews accepted this ban literally, and instead of developing the playing of musical instruments, they perfected singing and rhythm, drumming and dancing.  The songs sung by Yemenite men are inspired by the Diwan, a compilation of poetry dating back 300 years, while the women sing ballads of love and family.  Performances by Yemenite vocalists Ofra Haza and Noa (Achinoam Nini) highlight this unique video.

"A valuable addition..."-Video Rating Guide 

Honorable Mention, Columbus Int'l Film/Video Festival 

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ISBN 1-56082-123-X 
27 min., #793, Color, DVD, $29.95 
 

Ashkenaz: The Music of Eastern European Jewry 
A nostalgic look at the music of Eastern European Jewry.  In this video, we are treated to Yiddish folksongs, the liturgical music of the synagogue, Klezmer melodies as well as Yiddish theater tunes, all of which are the essential components of Ashkenazic music.  The joy and the sadness, the sacred and the secular, the old world and the new, are all represented in this compilation of Jewish music of Eastern Europe.  Along with contemporary performances by such actors as Shmuel, Henya and Anat Atzmon, the video features vintage archival footage of life in Eastern Europe as it existed prior to World War II.

"An excellent introduction to the diverse musical traditions and social contexts found within Yiddish  repertoire"-Video Rating Guide 

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ISBN 1-56082-121-3 
28 min., #791, Color, DVD, $29.95 
 


Sepharad: Judeo-Spanish Music  
Over 500 years have passed since the expulsion of the Jews from Spain.  But despite having been scattered to the far corners of the globe, Sephardic Jewry has managed to preserve its rich musical heritage.  This unusual video enables the viewer to hear and learn about the beautiful Ladino tunes of the Middle Ages, as well as lullabies, wedding tunes, music of the synagogue and songs of mourning.  The video features Eva Pitlick's Vocal Ensemble and well-known singer Mira Zakai.

"The program manages to show the diversity within the Sephardic community, which has dispersed throughout the world, as well as its common heritage. Highly recommended."-Video Rating Guide

Finalist Award, The New York Festivals 

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ISBN 1-56082-122-1 
27 min., #792, Color, DVD, $29.95 
 
 

Israel: Sounds in Search of a Home
What is Israeli music? Are there any uniquely Israeli melodies and rhythms? What do the music of Ariel Zilber, Naomi Shemer, Shlomo Gronich, prayers in a Yemenite synagogue, songs of the Samaritans, Kobi Oz, Tipax and Ra’ash have in common? This journey appropriately gathers the multiplicity of sounds of all of the immigrants to Israel who brought their music with them from the four corners of the earth. What emerges is a strong sense of unity within the diversity.

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ISBN 1-56082-256-2 
51 min., #788, Color, DVD, $29.95 





Hassidut: The Music of Hassidic Jews 
Music plays a central role in the daily life of the Hassidic community.  The famed Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav taught his students that one can pray not only through speech and words, but also through song.  Filmed within the Hassidic community, we are treated to beautiful Hassidic melodies, sung in prayer, at celebrations and at many other significant events in the day to day life of Hassidic Jews. 

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Toward Jerusalem: The Music of Seven Communities  
Throughout the ages, Jews from all corners of the world have dreamed of coming to Jerusalem.  This video focuses on the varied musical work of seven ethnic groups of instrumentalists and singers from around Israel, who gather together in order to perform for and meet one another.  We meet them in their own surroundings as they prepare for their trip to Jerusalem. Israeli rock star Ehud Banai, who throughout his career has made use of ethnic sounds in his own compositions, joins the musicians.  The video features music ensembles from Persia, India, Iraq, Ethiopia, Kurdistan, Georgia and Tajikistan. 

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ISBN 1-56082-133-7  
28 min., #796, Color, DVD, $29.95  
 

One Day The Heart Opens: A Concert of Ethnic Music 
Seven music ensembles from Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Iraq, Kurdistan, Persia, and Tajikistan gather at David's Tower in Jerusalem for a concert, presenting authentic instruments and melodies characteristic of their communities.  Some of the instruments featured are the santour, a Persian dulcimer; the oud, an Arabic lute; the darabukka, an Arabic drum; and the sorna, a Kurdish wind instrument.  One of the highlights of the concert is a new song, composed by rock star Ehud Banai for the occasion.

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ISBN 1-56082-134-5  
28 min., #797, Color, DVD, $29.95  
 

Morocco: The Music of Moroccan Jews  
The Moroccan Jews of North Africa created their own unique musical form of expression by borrowing tunes from their Arab neighbors and adding Hebrew texts to them.  Filmed on location in Morocco and Israel, this entertaining video focuses on the unique character and flavor of the poetry, messianic songs and tunes that evolved into the basis of authentic Moroccan Jewish music. Featuring Shlomo Bar and Habrera Hativit Ensemble. 

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ISBN 1-56082-126-4  
28 min., #795, Color, DVD, $29.95  
 

Italy: Salomone Rossi- Between Worlds 
Salomone Rossi, an important Jewish composer of the Renaissance and Baroque era, was the first to introduce choral music into the synagogue. Filmed on location in magnificent Italian palaces and synagogues in Mantua and Venice, Rossi's works are brilliantly performed by outstanding Israeli and Italian musicians who specialize in the music of this period. The video also features reconstructed dances created by Jewish dancing masters of the 16th and 17th centuries. Performed in authentic costumes, these dancers are sure to transport the viewer back to the magical world of yesteryear. Featuring Drora Brook, Isidoro Roitman, Roberto Gini and Manuela Norsa.
 

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ISBN 1-56082-179-5  
28 min., #798, Color, DVD, $29.95