Letters To The Editor

TheJ.ca has experienced steady growth in popularity in the new year and our roster of talented and insightful contributors has been a key to expanding our audience. While we focus largely on news and current events, we also try to provide stories about Jewish history and modern life around the world, entrepreneurs and businesses, and lifestyle and arts stories.

Enter David Eisenstadt. He approached us with an intention to continue his showcase of deserving talent and their legacies, and is an editor’s dream to work with.

His series on notable Jewish musicians from Canada, Noteworthy, gets a big response with each and every column. David has provided us with the feedback he gets, and I felt it was important to acknowledge the many kind words he receives from music lovers – and of the people he profiles – in our newspaper. (Actually, this first example was sent to us, and I then had to send it to David, as you’ll see.) 

The Rover Boys

Hi – I really enjoyed your story on Al Osten of the Rover Boys. I am a big fan of the group and collector of their memorabilia, is it possible you could put me in touch with someone who could fill in some blanks for me about the group. Thank You,

Dan C.

(Ed. Note – done!)

Jerry Gray and The Travellers 

David – I’m sure I’m not the only one to tell you but so many of the columns that you send out are so personal to me & bring back such memories. 

Jerrry Gray: As a camper & a counsellor I went to a Labour Zionist Camp on Lake Erie – Camp Kvutza (incidentally, so did a lot of other Temple members)… And, yes, The Weavers, were constantly being played or their songs were sung by both campers & staff at camp sing-alongs.

Just as Pete Seeger went to visit Camp Naivelt, Jerry Gray came to our vibrant socialist camp for a day every summer.  (late 50’s – early 1960’s).to perform 3 or 4 concerts). He would get together with the youngest campers, then the intermediates, followed by the seniors and then, at night, the staff. He would play the songs best for each group, encourage audience participation and, of course always sing our favourites. (By this time we were familiar with both The Weavers & The Travellers, not to mention Woody Guthrie etc etc)

I’m a folkie from way back. Actually got to see Pete Seeger a couple of times. Great concert that he did with Arlo Guthrie. Amazing how my format for listening to all of these performers has changed for me over the years, first on vinyl, (LPs, even EPs), then cassette, CDs & now I just walk in the house (like I did about 2 days ago) & say “Alexa, play Arlo Guthrie”

I have such great recollections of my days at summer camp & Jerry Gray stands out particularly. Thanks for these columns.

Stan Goldberg

Toronto

Jerry and Greta Gray are personal friends of my wife and I for almost all of his career.

His is still doing his history of Jewish and Labour music. Good person and he was a good entertainer.

Gerry Prenick

Toronto