ABSTRACT
The Melbourne Jewish community places great importance on the continuity of its cultural values but is faced with an ageing, dwindling population of Yiddish speakers. Since the ninth century, Yiddish has been spoken by Ashkenaz Jews of Central and Eastern Europe and is still spoken in Melbourne by twentieth century Jewish immigrants. There has been substantial research on community music groups, with most studies in the field focusing on particular communities, specific kinds of music, or characteristic socio-political structures within groups.
Researchers have not addressed the problem of modernisation of Jewish music as a precondition for inter-generational relevance. This chapter is based on a case study of YID!, a large Melbourne-based ensemble formed in November 2016, dedicated to recreation of old Yiddish songs through performance, in order to engage the community’s youth, as well as the older, Yiddish-speaking demography. Since first performing in March 2017, YID!’s music has resonated strongly with Melbourne Jewry, achieving critical acclaim through favourable reviews, performances in Toronto, Adelaide and performances for non-Jewish audiences at the WOMADelaide, Melbourne International Jazz Festival.
This chapter investigates two strategies YID! employed to achieve this goal, focusing on aesthetic and musical issues, and also on the reciprocal partnership between YID! and Kadimah, a community organisation founded in 1911, committed to celebrating and sharing Yiddish language and Jewish culture. This organisation has become a commissioning body that focuses on “continuity and re-imagining” Jewish and Yiddish culture, addressing the problems of innovation and growth against the backdrop of a religiously diverse community somewhat connected by its relationship to the Holocaust. The results of this study are of value to musicians seeking to reactivate traditional music, and of value to community-specific organisations wishing to promote a contemporary expression of their cultural values.
