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Amerika! Amerika!

06/30/2025 12:09:05 PM

Jun30

    When we think of the American Jewish experience, most of us who are either  descendants of Ashkenazic Jews who came here in the late 19th century or who are descendants of holocaust survivors often forget that the earliest wave of immigration of Jews to America began as early as the middle 1600's. The first Jews, fleeing persecution in Brazil, arrived  in New York (New Amsterdam) in 1654. They established communities and synagogues all along the Eastern Seaboard of North America, most notably in New York, Philadelphia, Rhode Island and Atlanta. They brought with them their Sephardic liturgical melodies and traditions which hark back to the traditions of Spain and Portugal. 

   I suspect more of us are familiar with the Ashkenazic American Jewish experience and the culture they brought with them to America. This was the world of many of our parents and grandparents.  There are  many Yiddish songs documenting the great immigration of Jews in the late 1800's.Many of the songs are heartbreaking. They speak of the experiences at Castle Garden and Ellis Island, the hardships endured by  peddlers  and laborers in sweatshops in the lower east side.  The most optimistic songs glorify the promise of the State of Liberty and praise Christopher Columbus who is seen as the symbol for both the good and the bad in America. Some poems are in the form of letters to those left behind in Russia. 

     This coming Friday is actually July 4 presenting us with  a rare opportunity for us to welcome and celebrate July 4 at the same time.  . We are planning a joint service with Temple Beth Am (weather permitting on the patio). We are planning to highlight a few liturgical pieces from the Spanish - Portuguese tradition as well as songs documenting the later immigration in the late 19th century. Here are a couple of  links you may enjoy, and we hope you will join us this Friday, July 4 to celebrate Independence Day together. 

     The following link is L'cha Dodi Hazzan Abraham Lopes Cardozoa recording of L'cha Dodi by Abraham Lopes Cardozo who was the Hazzan of Congregation Shearith Israel, the historic, Sephardic Spanish-Portuguese Synagogue in NYC. Hazzan Cardozo published collections of music sung in the Western Sephardic tradition. 

     The following link is the optimistic song "Lebn Zol Kolombus! - Long Live Columbus!" Lebn Zol Kolumbus - Long Live Columbus!

Thu, July 3 2025 7 Tammuz 5785