Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Freedman DVD Finding aid prepared by John Anderies. Last updated on July 01, 2020. University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts May 23, 2016 Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Table of Contents Summary Information....................................................................................................................................3 Biography/History..........................................................................................................................................4 Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4 Administrative Information........................................................................................................................... 5 Related Materials........................................................................................................................................... 5 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................6 Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 7 - Page 2 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Summary Information Repository University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts Creator Freedman, Molly Creator Freedman, Robert, 1929- Title Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Call number Freedman DVD Date [inclusive] 1919-2015 Extent 354 items Language English Language Note The primary languages of materials collected are Yiddish, Hebrew, and Ladino, but the Archive collects Judaic audiovisual material in any and all languages in which they occur. Other languages well represented within the Archive include English, German, Polish, Russian, Spanish and "Yinglish." Abstract The Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive aims to collect, preserve, and promote musical and spoken-word recordings of the Jewish people. This finding aid represents the Archive's materials on Digital Video Disc (DVD). - Page 3 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Cite as: Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania Biography/History The Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive is located in Room 453 of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Archive was founded by Bob and Molly Freedman, its current curators. The Freedmans began collecting recordings of Jewish music early in their marriage and continue to build the collection by acquiring recordings wherever they travel. Sometime in the middle or late 1970s (the cusp of the “klezmer revival”), researchers began to visit the Freedman’s home in Philadelphia. Later Bob Freedman was asked to bring some of the music to a Jewish folklore class at the University of Pennsylvania, which subsequently developed into an annual visit by the Yiddish language classes to the Freedman’s apartment. In 1981, Bob Freedman bought his first computer and began to list the recordings. He subsequently developed the first Yiddish font for screen display and printer, and over the years developed a database of recordings. Eventually, the collection outgrew the space available in the Freedman home and in 1996 it was donated to the University of Pennsylvania, where it continues to grow. Scope and Contents Historically, "Jewish music" has been notoriously difficult to define. For the purposes of the Freedman Jewish Sound Archive, Jewish music may include all genres of music produced by the Jewish people throughout the diaspora. This may include: Israeli music including jazz, rock, and pop; Jewish song in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, or any number of diasporic languages; Instrumental music, including klezmer and classical music; Folk music from many countries and geographic regions; Theater music including Tin Pan Alley and the Broadway musical; Music of the holocaust; Music with Jewish literary origins; Religious music, including Chassidic and cantorial liturgical music; Music representing the Ashkenazi, Sephardi, or "Oriental" traditions of Judaism; Jewish music heavily influenced by non-Jewish music traditions and vice versa. In addition, the Freedman Jewish Sound Archive also collects spoken-word recordings that elucidate the Jewish experience including: Oral histories; Recitation of poetry or prose; - Page 4 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Humor and comedy; Theatre performances; Radio programs. This finding aid represents the Archive's materials on Digital Video Disc (DVD). It is organized in alphabetical order by artist and title. Administrative Information University of Pennsylvania, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts May 23, 2016 Finding aid prepared by John Anderies. Access Restrictions The collections of the Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive are located at the University of Pennsylvania, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Room 453. Access to the collection is by appointment. Please email [email protected] to inquire about the collection or to schedule an appointment. Use Restrictions Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. Source of Acquisition Gift, Robert and Molly Freedman, and others. Related Materials Related Archival Materials note All materials in the Archive are cataloged in the Freedman Jewish Sound Archive database, which is accessible online. Books and other selected materials may also be found within the Library's online catalog, Franklin. - Page 5 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Controlled Access Headings Form/Genre(s) • Audiovisual materials • DVDs • Sound recordings Subject(s) • Folk songs • Hasidim--Music • Jewish wit and humor • Jews--Music • Klezmer music • Music • Synagogue music • Theater • Theater, Yiddish - Page 6 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Collection Inventory Call-Number 19th Jewish Festival in Krakow (Video), Jewish Culture Festival, 2009. V0210 A Brivele Der Mame / A Brivele Der Mame (Video), Green Film, 1938. V0088 A Cantorial Concert / Cantors in Russia / Choral Synagogue, Moscow(Video), Gila & V0043X Haim Foundation for Advancement of Cantorial Arts, 1969. A Cantors Tale (Video), Ergo D774, 2005-2007. V0223 A Day In Warsaw/ Text and Narration by Asher Lerner (Video), Natl Center For Jewish V0164 Films, Brandeis University, 2006. A Festival of Jewish Music (Video), Ken Walker Video, 1996. V0042X A Gesheft (Video), Adaret, 2005. V0068 A Joyful Noise: Lost Jewish Music of Philadelpha (Video), Aurthur Cantor Films, 1999. V0035X A Jumpin Night in the Garden of Eden (Video), Arthur Cantor Films, 1989. V0003X - Page 7 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection A Khasene In Shtetl (Video), MRC Films, 1990. V0019 A Life of Song/ A Portrait of Ruth Rubin (Video), Ergo Media, Inc, 1992. V0028X A Pair From Heaven (Video), M. Sharoni, 1986. V0001 A Serious Man (Video), Universal Studios, 2010. V0208 A Sheyn Meydele (Video), Yiddish Shpiel/Gerard & Keren Allen, 2010. V0302 A Shidukh Fun Himl / A Match From Heaven (Video), undated. V0073 A Taste of Klez Kanada (Video), 2005. V0245 A Taste of KlezKanada 2005 (Video), Bob Blacksberg, 2005. V0209 A Taste of Passover (Video), PBS Home Video, 1999. V0256 A Tickle in the Heart/ (Video), Kino International, 1996. V0046 - Page 8 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection A Town Marked by Tragedy/ Chapters from Terezin's History (Video), Terezin Memorial V0131 produced by Studio Grant, 2006. A Vilna Legend (Video), 1924/1933. V0149 A Yiddish World Remembered (Video), Shanachie 987, 2002/2010. V0216 A Yiddish World Remembered (Video), Shanachie SH 997, 2010. V0317 A Yiddish World Remembered (Video), Two Cats Productions, 2004. V0114 A Yidishe Mame in Tsen Lectsias/ A Jewish Mother in Ten Lectures (Video), Yiddishpil, V0200 undated. A Zivig Fun Himl/YiddishShpiel/ GidiYigil/ Anat Atzmun (Video), Yiddish Shpiel, V0175 undated. Abe Luski/ The Journey (Video), Abe Luski, 2012. V0294 Above and Beyond (Video), Playmount Productions, 2014?. V0329 Abraham Luski / Pilke Fus (Video), Charlotte Yiddish Institute, 2002. V0063 - Page 9 - Robert and Molly Freedman Jewish Sound Archive DVD collection Ahead of Time: Extraordinary Journey of Ruth Gruber (Video), National Center For Jewish V0331 Film, 2009. Ale Brider / Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band (Video), Ergo Media, Inc, 1995. V0008X Almonds and Wine (Video), undated. V0240 American Shadkhen/Amerikaner Shadkhn (Video), undated. V0111 An Afternoon of Yiddish Song and Poetry/ Cantor Roslyn Barak/ Poetry Reading by Rabbi V0334 Edward Zerin (Video), Rabbi Edward Zerin, 2015. An American Treasure/A Gala Concert Celebrating Yiddish Theatre (Video), Folksbiene V0002 Yiddish Theatre, 2003. Anat Atzmon/Yaakov Bodo: Tsu Zingen un