H eadlines
Country Continued from Page 1
the series as “mission-centric”
for the museum. It’s in line
with the institution’s goal of
instilling a greater appreciation
for American Jews and their
contributions. It’s also “out of left field,”
Samuels said.

“It might change our
thinking about ourselves,” he
added. The Weitzman is not yet back
open in person due to COVID.

But it is back on solid
financial footing thanks to an
eight-figure gift from its new
namesake, Philadelphia shoe
designer Stuart Weitzman.

The formerly named National
Museum of American Jewish
History filed for chapter 11
bankruptcy in March 2020.

“The Jews in Country
Music” series is part of the
institution’s expanding slate of
Nefesh Mountain
Photo by Lawrence Rickford
Mark Rubin
hoto by George Brainard
online programming.

Samuels started in his
When you think of country music, you don’t think [of] Jewish immigrants.

position in February 2020.

While he never expected to These guys dressed Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Buck Owens.”
focus on digital events, that
is exactly what he has done DANIEL SAMUELS
during COVID. And it has
“Now my job is continuing
opened his eyes to new possi-
But it was Samuels, a former
Attendees can ask questions
bilities. People have been to engage people online so we after the second, third and touring musician, who took the
checking into museum Zooms can keep reaching people across fourth Zooms, according to lead. Once the Jewish Bucks
Europe, Asia and the United Samuels. If you come for all County native learned that
from as far away as Asia.

States, and offering in-person four events, you will log off on his people had a history in
programs here and other places March 8 with a foundation of country music, he couldn’t stop
in Philadelphia,” Samuels said knowledge about the history of researching it.

of the museum’s hopefully Jews in country music.

He learned about Rubin,
not-too-distant future.

and Nefesh
“Let’s call it 101,” Samuels Buchanan
In the immediate future, said. “The intro class.”
Mountain. But he also learned
though, the country music
The intro class started about others who won’t be
series may help the Weiztman coming together a year ago featured in this exhibit, like
Exclusive Women’s Apparel Boutique
continue to expand its reach.

when the Country Music Hall Kinky Friedman, who formed a
Country music is one held a digital event called band called The Texas Jewboys
of America’s most popular “Suiting the Sound,” about and toured with Bob Dylan in
cultural and artistic indus- the costume tailors. Samuels the 1970s.

Custom designs, color options and
tries. The history of Jews in watched the program and
The topic of Jews in country
free alterations available
country music can therefore be learned that several of the music may make future
appealing to country fans, to tailors were Jewish immigrants. appearances at the Weitzman,
Evening Gowns
Jews and to people who fit into
That famous country too, Samuels said.

Suits/Separates The director even expressed
both categories, according to cowboy look with the shiny
Samuels. rhinestones and the western interest in following the
Cocktail Dresses
Country Music Hall’s lead
“What do you want fans of shirts? Jews helped create it.

country (music) to know about
“When you think of country and opening a special Dylan
Jewish people?” Samuels asked. music, you don’t think [of] exhibit. Dylan was born to
“What do you want Jewish Jewish immigrants,” Samuels Jewish parents and recorded
61 Buck Road
people to know about country said. “These guys dressed Elvis several albums in Nashville,
music?” Presley, Johnny Cash, Buck including a country album, in
Huntingdon Valley,
the 1960s, helping to grow the
Each event will feature Owens.”
PA 19006
conversations about the
After that, the director city’s music scene.

“The more I’ve talked to my
topic and musical perfor- connected with the Country
www.elanaboutique.com colleagues
about this series,
mances. Appearances
will be
Music Hall
about collab-
(215)953-8820 made by a curator from the orating on a series for the the more I’ve realized there’s
Country Music Hall of Fame local museum. Together, they so much more to dig into,”
in Nashville, Rubin and Nefesh made “Suiting the Sound” the Samuels said. l
Make an appointment today!
Mountain, among others. The first event in the Weitzman
Consult with the designer to
latter two are going to perform program. Then they built out jsaffren@jewishexponent.com;
explore your style options.

215-832-0740 as well.

the rest of the schedule.

Made in USA
12 FEBRUARY 10, 2022
JEWISH EXPONENT
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM