Joe Alterman's Chanukah Message for 2024

The question of what makes music “Jewish” is as elusive as it is profound. From the biblical psalms to modern jazz, Jewish music defies easy categorization. Some define it by language, tradition, or geography, while others see it as the stories it tells—stories of identity, resilience, and belonging.

Jazz, like Judaism, is rooted in storytelling. It’s not about playing perfect notes but about expressing raw emotion and truth—an outsider’s longing for connection, the beauty of imperfection, and the ability to find hope in sadness.

At first glance, they may seem worlds apart. But at their core, jazz and Judaism share something profound: resilience, storytelling, and the power to find hope in the face of struggle. Both are journeys of the human spirit, thriving on improvisation, adaptability, and the ability to turn sorrow into beauty. Neither celebrates perfection; instead, they honor growth, recovery, and the lessons learned along the way.

Both also share a profound connection to the past. I once spoke with Jason Robert Brown, composer of Parade, who shared that every time he watches a production of the show on Broadway, he looks up at the seats where he and his father once sat together. In those moments, he feels his father’s presence, a testament to the way music bridges generations. Similarly, jazz musician Ben Sidran described hearing the same melodies at his son’s bar mitzvah that he had sung at his own—a moment that connected him deeply to his father and grandfather, both of whom had since passed.

This Hanukkah, as we light the menorah, we honor the enduring power of light—a symbol of resilience and hope. Like jazz and Judaism, it illuminates the darkness, celebrating the joy and beauty we can find even in the hardest times. It reminds us that hope is not only something we feel but something we create, a legacy we pass on, and a light we keep alive.

Joe Alterman is an arts leader, scholar, journalist and world- renowned jazz pianist.