French Jewish Composer Wins $1,000 Prize in J.w.b. International Music Contest

Jacques Berlinski, French Jewish composer who fought ## the French resistance in Lyon, was announced the winner today of a $1,000 prize for is symphonic work, “Kenaan,” submitted in the international contest for Jewish music reflective of the spirit of the Jewish people”, conducted by the National Jewish Music Council. The Council is sponsored by the National Jewish Welfare Board.

Berlinski, who came to France from Poland in 1930, is director of music at the Jewish Art Center of France for the Advancement of Jewish Music. A prize for a member orchestral work was given at the same time to Jacob Avshalomoff, music instructor at Columbia University, for his composition “Evocations.” Mr. Avshalomoff ?ame to this country from China in 1938.

The two awards were made at a ceremony at the offices of the J.W.B. David Morgenstern, of Cleveland, presented the prizes, which were donated by the Morgenstern Fund of the Cleveland Jewish Community Council. Mrs. Frank Cohen, chairman of the Music Council, spoke on the aims of the contest and the Council-sponsored Jewish Music Festival in which synagogues, Jewish Community Centers and Jewish educational and fraternal groups are currently participating.

On the judges committee were: Leonard Bernstein, conductor of the New York City Symphony and composer of the “Jeremiah Symphony”; Mark Blitzstein, composer of the “Airborne Symphony” and “Cradle Will Rock”; Alexander Dushkin, executive director of the Jewish Education Committee of New York City; Erich Leinsdorf, conductor of the Rochester Symphony. Also Curt Sachs, professor of music at New York University; Randall Thompson, professor of music at Princeton University; Joseph Yasser, chairman of the Jewish Music Forum; and Bernard Hermann, symphonic director of Columbia Broadcasting System.