Israel has a thriving jazz scene today, but the story of how jazz arrived and took root there is far less known. Dr. Leonard Stein traces that history, exploring how the reception of American music in Israel was shaped by the country's shifting demographics before and after 1948 — including successive waves of immigration from Eastern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East — as well as by the broader nationalist project of forging a distinctly Israeli cultural identity. 

At the center of Stein's talk are two Jewish American musicians who immigrated to Israel shortly after statehood and dedicated their lives to teaching and spreading jazz throughout the country — through radio broadcasts, lectures, jam sessions, performances, and writing. At a time when American records were scarce, their efforts were foundational in cultivating the first generation of Israeli jazz musicians and listeners. 

Central to this work was the task of explaining where jazz comes from. In doing so, many Israelis encountered, for the first time, the African American experience, the musical roots of blues and spirituals, and the cultural history of the American South. Dr. Stein's talk ultimately illuminates a surprising and resonant bridge between Southern culture and Israeli society — one built through music.  Doors open for brunch at 9:00 AM.