When legendary American composer Leonard Bernstein infused his Symphony No. 1 ("Jeremiah") with the liturgical lilt of the Haftorah blessing, he dared to "wear his Jewishness on his sleeve" during a time of religious intolerance. A half-century later, Elizabeth Swados freely coupled Jewish and gospel music in the song "Miriam" (from the off-Broadway play Bible Women).

How Jewish composers have fused Jewish themes with American culture to create new forms of Jewish musical expression will be one of several topics explored during a three-evening series at Hebrew College, Two-Part Harmony: Jewish Music in America. Opening the series on Monday, November 17, Dr. Joshua Jacobson, Director of the Zamir Chorale of Boston, will highlight Bernstein and Swados among several outstanding Jewish American composers during the first half of the 20th century. Prolific Klezmer musician-revivalist Yale Strom will examine the synergies between Klezmer music and American swing and jazz on Monday, November 24. And Dr. Kay Kaufman Shelemay, Harvard University ethnomusicologist, will conclude the series Sunday, December 7, tracing the Americanization of the Syrian-Jewish pizmonim, which integrate centuries-old Arab melodies with sacred Jewish texts.

Sponsored by the Center for Adult Jewish Learning and the American Jewish Historical Society, all presentations will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Berenson Hall, feature live or recorded music and cost $10 in advance, $15 at the door, $25 for the entire series. For more information, contact the Center for Adult Jewish Learning, 617-559-8709 or cajl@hebrewcollege.edu.

Photo by Ben Harmon

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