The Jewish Musical Tradition in America with Howard Lupovitch Part 7- Morris Levy & Bernie Essman

Morris Levy, Motown, and the Birth of Rock & Roll I. Childhood in Harlem II. “Rock & Roll” III. Bernie Essman – Motown in the Motor City This series is a melodic exploration of a rich and diverse tradition that has not only reflected the Jewish-American experience but has also left an indelible mark on the nation's musical history. From the early Yiddish roots of Jewish immigrants to the groundbreaking compositions of Aaron Copland, the influence of Jews in the Jazz Revolution, and their role in shaping the landscape of Broadway and Rock & Roll, this series celebrates the enduring impact of Jewish musical traditions on American culture. With sessions dedicated to iconic figures like Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, and Bob Dylan, as well as the transformative power of artists like Debbie Friedman, we explore how these artists navigated their Jewish identities within the evolving American musical tapestry. Professor Howard Lupovitch is Professor of History and Director of the Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies at Wayne State University. He was educated at the University of Michigan and Columbia University (earning a Ph.D. in History from the latter). Over his career, Prof. Lupovitch has taught at Cornell University, Colby College, the University of Western Ontario, and the University of Michigan, where he was also a fellow at the Frankel Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies. Prof. Lupovitch is the author, most recently, of Transleithanian Paradise: A History of the Jewish Community of Budapest, 1738-1938, and is presently completing a history of the Neolog Movement and researching a new history of the Jews of Detroit. This series is sponsored by Barbara and Norman Rosen. Barbara was born in New York City and grew up in Washington, DC. In her youth, she was active in Habonim and spent a year on a kibbutz in Israel. Barbara is a mother, clinical psychologist, bookseller, folk dancer, and a very nice person. Norman was born in East LA (Boyle Heights). His family moved to West Hollywood, and, when he attended Fairfax High School, he was not on the football, baseball, or wrestling team. He is a father, family physician, photographer, and member of the Southern Slavic Folk Band “Veselba." Norman and Barbara are members of Temple Beth Sholom and love the TBS Torah Study class. Their two sons are married and they have five beautiful grandchildren. The focus of this scholar series resonates with Barbara and Norman as Norman's older cousin Irvin Atkins started out as a gofer for John Guedel and grew to be a director for Groucho Marx and Art Linkletter. "Irv, a beloved family member, was one of the many Jews who catapulted American performing arts to international greatness."