The survival of the Jewish people and its heritage depends to a large degree upon their ability to respond in Jewish terms to the spiritual, cultural and artistic needs of our time, Dr. Joachim Prinz, president of the American Jewish Congress, declared today.
Addressing the biennial meeting of the Jewish Music Council of the National Jewish Welfare Board held at the Harmonie Club here, Rabbi Prinz said that “survival is not merely the continuation of a time-honored and well-tested tradition. It is the creation of viable Jewish living, contributing out of its own spirit to the very best in all fields of human endeavor of our time.” To stimulate Jewish art in every possible form, Dr. Prinz said, “is one of the great opportunities of the present Jewish day and age. The large building program of synagogues and Jewish Community Centers all over the country has afforded one such opportunity.”
Theme of the Council meeting, chaired by Rabbi Emanuel Green, Council chairman, was: “Commission a Jewish Musical Work.” In the past three years the Council has encouraged the commissioning by local Jewish organizations of more than 60 new Jewish compositions. Many of these were given their premiere performances during Jewish Musical Festival, which is celebrated nationally each year under the Council’s auspices.
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