Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get listed?

If you would like a listing on JMWC, please send complete information either with our contact form or by email to info@jmwc.org. Include a contact email and a web address if you would like us to link to a web or social media site. This is not a news gathering service, so please send complete information. Photos sent as attachments in email should be in a jpg format. Thanks!

All Review materials and other documents should be sent as digital copies.

Need more HELP with JMWC?

Below are some frequently asked questions. I hope they can help you find some answers. Take a moment to look these over.

The primary sources listed are:

–individuals and groups

–libraries and archives

–special digital collections

–scholarly conferences and events

Q:Do you answer questions?

Answer:

  • YES! I do try to answer all my email questions, in some way. I’ve had questions from all over the world from as far away as Manila and Sydney, and as close to home as local students.
  • Unfortunately, I can’t provide document delivery. I will help you with a citation though, and try to let you know where to find information at your local library.

Q:I want to start collecting Jewish music, but I just have no idea where to start.
Do you have any suggestions?

Answer:

  • Yes. These days most people start with Youtube and listen to various pieces there. It is true that many major streaming music collections do not have detailed access to most Jewish music. Libraries are often the best source of listening to Jewish music. On this site, I give you links to all sorts of digitized collections of Jewish music held in libraries throughout the US and elsewhere.

Q: Where can I find a good band for my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah? (fill in any other simcha)

Answer:

  • The JMWC doesn’t make recommendations of bands for events.
  • You can find listings of performer websites in the JMWC under the topic “Performing Groups”. A listing doesn’t constitute a recommendation. These listings are “neutral,” i.e. this is to provide information for you to make decisions.
  • Many bands have a listing with Ari Davidow’s “Klezmershack” website under:
    “Bands by Location” or “Bands by Name”. http://www.klezmershack.com/contacts/klezbyloc.html

Q:I’m looking for some easy music for my child to play some Jewish songs on piano, (flute, recorder, sax, in school band, in school orchestra.)

Answer:

  • This is not an easy question. I don’t know your child’s age, ability, interest…BUT there are MANY places to find resources, including of course, the obvious: don’t overlook asking your child’s music teacher! And don’t forget your local public library! Most US public libraries can order musical materials for you on an InterLibrary Loan program if they don’t own it themselves.
  • There may be a cantor or music director at a local synagogue or JCC who can help you find music for your child. Don’t overlook your local resource person.
  • Listings in the JMWC include a section on “Publishers of Score and Sheet Music”. This can be a starting place. Most of the publishers have some “easy” music for children. “Transcontinental” might be good places to start.
  • Listings in the JMWC include a section on “Genres” which has links to websites under “Children’s”. Some of these sites carry sheet music by the composers. Some JMWC websites such as “Soundswrite” have music geared for children. Look closely at those for sheet music.
  • General catalogs geared towards children’s music often have listings for “Jewish” or “Israeli” songs. These days you can ask for “klezmer” or “Yiddish” and most dealers will know.
  • Very often, general books of Jewish music are easily adapted for easy playing. Many “song” books are often a single line of music and can be adapted for G clef instruments.
  • Many Jewish musicians arrange their own music. Some in your area may privately publish arrangements for children. You can inquire there (and let me know if they do!!)
  • There are some resources that list music and their level of difficulties such as:Edelman, Marsha B. A Bibliography of Jewish music: resource materials for educators. 1986.
    An anthology of music selections arranged by instrument and graded for students exists but is very old. It contains an appendix with contents listing song titles of currently available Jewish music collections.Goldberg, Ira S. Bibliography of instrumental music of Jewish interest. Part 2: ensemble and solo. 1970

    If anyone knows of any more recent books similar to these resources, please email me. If you have a good book at your home for children or sheet music at home with “easy” selections, send me the information. I will collect these and publish a list when I get enough information. If you are an educator and would like to send me a listing of music appropriate for children, please feel free to do that. We get a lot of requests for school band and school orchestra arrangements. If you know of appropriate pieces, please let me know. I will try to consolidate all this information create a bibliography to share.

  • I do try to answer specific reference questions on the children’s music questions, but I find that over 60% of the time, I find the answer on the JMWC website. Try and take a look at what we’ve provided… and write to me if you still don’t find the answer. If you have found that the website was too hard to use, or you didn’t understand how to find the answer, please let me know about that.

Q:How can I get a website listed with the JMWC?

Answer:

  • Just write me an email and let me take a look at your site. Please send your name, the full web address and your email address. It’s really nice if you can include the city and country of your website (or where you are located) since people are especially interested in that.
  • Every website listed and linked to on the JMWC has been personally looked at by me, the author.
  • I’ve written every annotation on the JMWC, except where indicated by “quotes”, (which means I took that portion of exact information from the website being described.) I may choose to write a listing that way, or not. It depends on what I find at your site.
  • After I look at a website and write the annotation, I add new listings to the JMWC.
  • I’m doing this as a service to the Jewish community. I’m not paid, accept no subscriptions, advertising or have any sponsors. So…since it’s a labor of love and not income, times may vary as to how long it takes me to make new additions to the website.
  • Please be patient. I’ve been working on the site since 1996, a little at a time, and as you can see… things eventually add up.

Q:Why don’t you just list music by Jewish groups, like “Orthodox” or “Reform.”

Answer:

  • Those websites specifically from a particular movement are listed as being affiliated with that movement in the annotation, if that is known. In general, many Jewish tunes tend to be multi-denominational and cross boundaries of movements.
  • The JMWC is not affiliated with any group. It is independent. It attempts to take a more ‘scholarly’ and ‘informational’ view, and attempts to be objective in descriptions of all entries.
  • The JMWC endeavors to provide information on ALL types of Jewish music. Some groups have been working actively on producing websites, and others have not. Primarily, the sites here are those I’ve found… if you have another one I’ve missed, please feel free to let me know!
  • I’m trying to provide non-hyphenated Jewish information for anyone interested in Jewish music, from any walk of Jewish life. The JMWC attempts to be all inclusive and provide equal access to all.
  • The JMWC hopes to promote “k’lal yisrael” through Jewish music education.
  • Editorial comment: My personal hope is that Jewish people who may not have been exposed to much or different types of Jewish music will learn about them,– listen to them– and find enjoyment there. There is a wealth of new and wonderful music being produced… we can all be proud that our culture is so vital, varied, and exciting. Today young people are taking an interest in being creative –and expressing their Jewishness in new as well as traditional ways. These young people are from every group and every affiliation (and also non-affiliation). Musical ideas can be a place where Jewish exchange can happen in non-threatening ways, to help build and bind our communities throughout the world– through music.
  • The JMWC also hopes to promote scholarship and historical preservation of Jewish music. The hope is that by finding out about all sorts of institutions, groups, and organizations of Jewish music, more people can become involved and active in scholarship, composition, performance and/or as audience and supporters.