Jews & Country Music Series

Ashkenaz is thrilled to partner next month with Philadelphia’s Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History in presenting a four-part virtual event series on Tuesday evenings at 8pm ET, exploring the relationship between Jews and country music. The events are free, with a suggested donation of $10. Registration on zoom is required (see links below).

FEB 15 – JEWISH RODEO TAILORS

Bernard “Rodeo Ben” Lichtenstein, Nathan Turk, and Nudie Cohn were each born to Jewish families and immigrated to the United States in the early 1900’s. By mid-century each of this trio had emerged individually as the most influential of the pioneering “Jewish rodeo tailors,” whose spectacular, custom-designed Western wear has been synonomous with country music since the late 1940s. Learn more about this interesting slice of American Jewish and Country Music history, with curators Josh Perelman (WNMAJH) and Mick Buck (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), as well as special guest Ray Benson, nine-time Grammy-winning co-founder and bandleader of the legendary group Asleep at the Wheel, and the self-proclaimed “Tallest Jew in Country Music”. REGISTER HERE

FEB 22 – MARK RUBIN: JEW OF OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma-born, Texas-reared, New Orleans residing, multi-instrumentalist Mark Rubin is an unabashed Southern Jew, and alumnus of many past Ashkenaz Festivals. Known equally for his muscular musicianship and larger-than-life persona, Rubin has accompanied or produced a virtual who’s-who of American traditional music, while straddling numerous musical genres, including Country, Western Swing, Bluegrass, Tex-Mex, Polka, Klezmer, Roma, and more. In this interactive program, Rubin will share music from and insights into his new album “The Triumph of Assimilation.” REGISTRATION HERE.

MARCH 1 – THE TORAH OF COUNTRY MUSIC

Jewish Americana artist and Texas native Joe Buchanan has spent the last nine years finding his voice in the history, Torah and values of the Jewish People. Over the last decade Buchanan’s journey into Judaism has seen him touring across the US, leading an original Shabbat service, playing concerts, and facilitating a workshop called “Choosing to be Chosen” which is based around his conversion to Judaism and “the reasons why so many are coming home”. In this program, Rabbi Sandra Lawson will ask Buchanan about his music, his work as a spiritual leader, the challenges he’s faced in his conversion experience and much more. This program will also feature several musical demonstrations and live performances. REGISTER HERE

MARCH 8 – NEFESH MOUNTAIN

An intimate evening of music and stories with the co-leaders of Jewish bluegrass ensemble Nefesh Mountain. Fresh off of their debut performance at the iconic Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, bandleaders Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg will present selections from their unique repertoire, forged at the crossroads of Jewish spirituality and Americana. They will also talk about what it’s like being Jewish on the American Roots music scene today, share stories from life on the road and take questions from those in attendance. REGISTER HERE