Portrayal of the Jewish contribution to the musical aspect of the Civil Rights Movement in Los Angeles
In this week's edition, we shine the spotlight on the life and achievements of Cantor Julius Blackman (1913-2018).
Cantor Blackman was instrumental in the formation of the Jewish Music Council, an advisory board initially established to elevate musical education standards at the University of Judaism. His vision extended beyond the confines of the academic institution, reaching out to the Hollywood music community for his concerts.
One such concert in 1953 was a groundbreaking event, bringing together the music of Italian Jewish refugee composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and the performance of African American soprano Georgia Ann Lester. This collaboration was more than just a musical union; it was a political statement that reinforced Blackman's commitment to civil rights for African Americans.
The Jewish Music Council concerts, produced by Blackman and his colleagues, aimed to foster a connection between the organized Jewish community and Jewish artists working in Hollywood. This concert, in particular, served as a small yet significant moment in the Civil Rights Era, showcasing the dedication of cantors in the Los Angeles Jewish community to the cause of civil rights for African Americans.
The confluence of elements in this concert—the participation of a refugee composer and an African American soprano—reinforces the political orientation of Cantor Blackman and his community. Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco's identity as a refugee from fascism resonates in this historical vignette, adding a layer of poignancy to the event.
It's important to note that during the 1950s, Jewish religious leaders, including cantors and rabbis, in some communities became involved in civil rights causes, often supporting racial integration and justice. However, documented evidence of Los Angeles cantors' roles in 1950s civil rights or labor rights activism, specifically, appears to be limited or not well recorded in common public sources.
The pursuit of labor justice and the goals of integration and civil rights for African Americans were issues that were at the forefront of American life and were keenly felt in the Jewish community by activists. At this historical juncture, multiple actors in the Jewish community, including Blackman and his professional cohort, were engaged in active and engaged political organizing.
Cantor Blackman's focus was not on preserving heritage synagogue music but rather on labor organizing, community building, and efforts to raise the status of the cantorate. His pedagogic style was an important part of cantorial culture in the early 20th century.
Recent interviews with musicologist Neil Levin, made public on the Milken Archive Oral History Project, provide valuable insights into the musical life of cantors in mid-century Los Angeles. Jeremiah Lockwood, a Research Fellow at the Lowell Milken Center for Music of American Jewish Experience, continues to delve into the rich history of Jewish music and its role in social and political movements.
As we explore the life and legacy of Cantor Julius Blackman, we are reminded of the power of music as a catalyst for change and the vital role that Jewish leaders played in the Civil Rights Era.
- Cantor Blackman's involvement in the establishment of the Jewish Music Council was not limited to academia; he also reached out to the Hollywood music community for his concerts, integrating education-and-self-development with entertainment and music.
- The Jewish Music Council concerts, under Cantor Blackman's leadership, were not only about music; they also served as political statements, reinforcing his commitment to civil rights movements, including labor justice and integration, thereby intertwining the realms of entertainment, music, and the pursuit of social change.
