From Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller who wrote many of Elvis Presley's early hit songs, to Bob Dylan, Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Lesley Gore, Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel, Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley of Kiss, Joey Ramone & Tommy Ramone of the Ramones, all three Beastie Boys, Neil Diamond and Billy Joel, Jews have been at the forefront of American popular music for the past 60 years.  Using video clips and sound recordings, we will explore the music history -- and Jewish history – of these artists and more!  We will also examine the enormous influence Jewish artists and business people had on the Beatles – and in turn, the enormous influence the Beatles had on Jewish artists.

Lincoln Richman earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.  He is currently at Rutgers University earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Studies.  At present Lincoln is fulfilling his field placement at our JCC. A teacher and musician, Lincoln wrote the book, music and lyrics for “Step Two” an original rock musical play selected as a Winner in the Festival of New Plays at the Jewish Ensemble Theater in West Bloomfield, Michigan.