The GenToGen Podcast

On July 8, 2011, Sinai Temple's Friday Night Live service took to the John Anson Ford in Hollywood, CA for a once-in-a-lifetime Shabbos event. Here's the mix before Shabbat that I spun in the Birthright Israel NEXT Wine Garden. Special thanks to everyone who submitted music and/or helped promote some of the tunes selected (JDub), and especially to Craig N' CO, ATID, IKAR, Beit T'Shuvah, Birthright Israel NEXT LA, Moishe House and all the volunteer, congregants and friends who made this a magical event! This download is for promo only - not for resale (or sale for that matter!) Thanks!

>>>> Tracks: 1 - Neshama Carlebach - Yehi Shalom Intro | 2 - Zack Lodmer - Lo Yisa Goy  | 3 - Mikey Pauker - Eli | 4 - King Django - Seventh Day | 5 - Tomer Yosef - Don't Fly | 6 - *Sagol 59 feat Shaanan Street (Hadag Nachash), Rebel Sun - Jerusalem (Contains mild explicit language) | 7 - Beit T'Shuvah - Elohai Neshama | 8 - Craig Taubman - Alenynu | 9 - Oren Barzilay - God's Creation | 10 - Oi Va Voi - Brothers  | 11 - Oi Va Voi - Ladino Song | 12 - Craig Taubman - Tzur Mishelo | 13 - Zack Lodmer - Shalom Aleichem | 14 - The Sway Machinery - Anim Zemiros  | 15 - Shlomo Carlebach & Neshama Carlebach - B'shaim Hashem/The Angel Song | 16 - IKAR - L'kha Dodi ((http://ikar-la.org/)) | 17 - Neshama Carlebach - Yehi Shalom Message Reprise | 18 - IKAR - Rivers Of Babylon (((http://ikar-la.org/))

To Arts,

Tera "Nova Jade* Greene
Creative Director + Visionary, GenToGen

Are you or do you know of any Los-Angeles Based Next Gen (21-33) Jewish Artists looking for more exposure and want to be a part of a dynamic Artist community? Well, GenToGen wants your tunes, art, poetry, et al! Please submit to: GenToGenLA@Gmail.com with the subject 'Artist Submission'. Submissions will be received on a rolling bases.  All submissions welcome regardless of generation, discipline or denomination.

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Playlist Converter: http://calardoandgrant.com/tools/m3upc/

More great mix-tapes: http://www.mixcrate.com/djnovajade

Podcast: http://djnovajade.podomatic.com

Booking: DJNovaJade@Gmail.Com | (323) 309-4389 | Contact: Tera Greene*

Main Photo: Mikey Pauker, Album Cover Art ((Photography - Natalie Zigdon))

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"Thom Yorke from RadioHead."

Mikey Pauker on whom he'd want to meet to pick their brain over tea or coffee, GenToGen Podcast Interview, July 2011

http://gentogen.podomatic.com

Read the Interview Now

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I met Mr. Pauker at an event called SEDER, a recurring Jewish cultural event with a goal of hosting "several community meals a year [with] all funds raised in exchange for food becoming a micro-grant.  During the meal, the micro-grant is awarded to an artist with a Jewish art and culture project that will reach out to the LA Community."  

Put on by the Jewish Artists Initiative, under the guidance of Program Director, Anne Hromadka, the SEDER event I attend for $18 was a delight, from the food to the artists who performed for us... and Mikey Pauker was part of the treats of the evening!

I recently DJ'd a pre-Shabbos event at the Ford Theatre in Hollywood, CA, wherein I included music from Mikey Pauker and his band, The JoyMachine, so stay tuned in a couple of weeks for that mix, and if you're in Los Angeles, catch a show (next two show dates listed below).

For now, let's get right into it, shall we?

WEB:   mikeypauker.com

VIDEOS: Yaish Lanu Aish Music Video | Wicker Man Music Video

UPCOMING SHOW DATES:

 07/11/11 Mikey Paker & The JoyMachine in Laguna Beach SawDust Festival

Time: 11:30am.

Admission: $7.75.

Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd.. Buy tickets

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07/17/11 Mikey Paker & The JoyMachine in Laguna Beach SawDust Festival

Time: 5:00pm.

Admission: $7.75. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd.. Buy tickets

To Arts,

Tera "Nova Jade* Greene
Creative Director + Visionary, GenToGen

Are you or do you know of any Los-Angeles Based Next Gen (21-33) Jewish Artists looking for more exposure and want to be a part of a dynamic Artist community? Well, GenToGen wants your tunes, art, poetry, et al! Please submit to: GenToGenLA@Gmail.com with the subject 'Artist Submission'. Submissions will be received on a rolling bases.  All submissions welcome regardless of generation, discipline or denomination.

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Mikey Pauker + The JoyMachine

Six dynamic adjectives about Mikey Pauker:

Transformative, Yogi, Energetic, Musical, Loving, Goofy.

Mikey's favorite color:

Purple.

What form of Art do you do? (Ie. How do you Make Beautiful the world)

I write and perform Tribal, spiritual, folk, world, love inspired vibrations. 

Is this a profession or hobby?

This is my life.  My everything.  I enjoy every moment of it.  Yes it has been challenging AND inspiring.  Why make it a hobby if you live for it?  If you wake up thinking about sharing your art then it's your responsibility to share it.

And when did you start on the path of your Art?

I started putting out demos in high school.  However, I have been taking my music career seriously for only the past two years.  I made a major transformation when I started putting out spiritual folk music.

I see! Going with that theme of transformation, describe a moment in time where Art truly healed you.

I recently saw  a friend's movie that he just released at the film festivals this year.  This year his film was featured at the South By Southwest Film festival.  He co-wrote and directed, "Bag Of Hammers," starring Jason Ritter and Rebecca Hall. It's been a while since I have cried, at the end of a movie.  Yes.. I cried.. long and hard.  It was amazing to let it out.  Amen.

Beautiful. What other forms of Art inspire you?

Film and Fashion inspire me.  I don't want watch much TV, but when I do have down time, it's always nice to watch a new film.  I love becoming lost in the plot of the story, and you can't beat surround sound in the movie theatre.  I enjoy going for a seasonal shopping spree, and checking out the new styles for the year.  Lately, I have been wearing indian scarves, bright colors, and prayer beads.  My fashion choice is inspired by my spirituality and way of life.

You definitely have a great fashion sense. I picked up on it immediately when I saw you at the SEDER event. I think, outside of hearing you start to sing, that was what initially drew me to you.  On that note, who are your influences?

Sublime, Bob Marley.

Nice choices. OK, so GenToGen is about helping to Support the Arts and the Artists who create them while building a dynamic Jewish community that is trans-denominational, pluralistic and trans-disciplinary. Are you Jewish and if so, how do you approach your Jewishness (are you secular, traditional, cultural, young leadership, conservative)?

Denominations act as limits, why do we have do define our Judaism?  

I grew up reform, but didn't ever connect with my clergy.  I was raised in a progressive household that was mostly secular.  My parents are independent thinkers, and I'm not sure what they would define themselves at either.  I did have a Bar-Mitzvah, Confirmation, went to some temple youth group events, and county wide youth group events; and post high school, I went to San Francisco State University and was involved in Hillel where I led some friday night services as the Koret Intern.  I went on birthright and then back again for a quick 3 week study at Aish Ha Hotrah in the old city in Jerusalem.  It was transformational, and an incredible learning experience.  However, I did't truly connect with davening without music.  I also didn't agree with the political jib-jab... i'm an independent thinker and humanitarian.  We need to stop blaming and each other and RETURN on the road to peace.

Post Aish, I took a break from Judaism, because I still didn't feel a connection with any community and prayer ritual.  I found a job at a Jewish summer camp in Santa Rosa, called Camp Newman, and fell in love with Judaism for the first time.  I was hired as a song leader who was worked with a team of talented Jewish music educators, leading daily song sessions and services.  For the first time I found prayer.  I found my community.  It was in the music the entire time.

I connect with my spirituality through song, mantra, yoga and instrumentation.  We are all musical beings, why not elevate our existence to another level on a daily basis, especially on Shabbat?  Well I'm sure you can come up with an argument about Halacha this.. Halachah that.. and blah blah blah blah.. and that's why I never connected.  King David used instrumentation during prayer, so can we.  We should pray in whatever way we hope to.  This is our time.

So, how does your Jewish background influence your art?

By growing up in summer camp, and being around musical prayer services, the melodies and method of prayer has truly influenced my art.  I grew up hearing [and] singing Debbie Friedman, Jeff Klepper, and Julie Silver melodies of liturgical blessings at Temple Beth El in Aliso Viejo, California.  Even though I didn't connect with these melodies until I returned to camp as a song leader in 2009, they had a deep impact on the way that I write my melodies.

Mikey Pauker

How important it is to you to create Art that provokes or pushes the envelope?  Do you create such a form of Art?

All art should push the envelope and mine included.  I play Jewish music in secular settings including clubs and festivals.  Why hide what you do based on location?

Where do you currently live?

I was living In Silverlake... east Los Angeles.  Now I am in a small pink cabin at Camp Alonim at the Brandeis-Bardin Institute.

Mikey Pauker, Album Cover

Curious to hear! I love Brandeis-Bardin - such a beautiful and magical place.  So, let's dive even more deeply: What are your biggest concerns for the world and how does Art help repair those concerns?

1)  Lack of  Global Unity

2)  Intolerance

3)  Greed

4)  Genocide

5)  Anti-semestism

6)  Lack of education

My art connects the secular to the spiritual world.  My music inspires and educates communities on all of these issues. 

What age group are you in? The Golden Age (45+), the In-Between Gen (33-45), Next Gen (21-32), Youth    

Mid twenties. 

And how does your Art connect the different generations, Mikey?

My music is liturgically inspired... liturgy is timeless.

Why do you feel it is important to stay connected to all generations?

All generations have a voice.  We need to listen to everyone.

So, what's your legacy?

Selflessness.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

World tour.

And finally, what are some of your BIGGEST, JUICIEST GOALS and how will your form of Art help you get there?

I want to tour with the biggest artists in the world, and to make a living off of educating the world through my music.

Mikey, the world is waiting!  Go out and Jump in the fields, sing higher and higher and keep inspiring!

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Mikey Pauker is a Jewish/Folk music artist hailing out of Los Angeles, California.  Mikey is recognized as an engaging musician who is stretching the boundaries of contemporary Jewish music with his soulful, globally influenced sound.  Mikey draws inspiration from traditional Jewish liturgy, his own spiritual journey, and from artists such as Damien Rice, Jack Johnson, Ray Lamontagne, Dan Nichols, Julie Silver, Debbie Friedman and Fleet Foxes.

WEB:   mikeypauker.com

VIDEOS: Yaish Lanu Aish Music Video | Wicker Man Music Video

Do you approach life with a lens of Art? We want to hear from you!

All disciplines, all professions - Jews and peers of all denominations and ages - welcome!

GenToGen's Mission:  Utilizing media-rich + enterprising online social media interaction systems alongside active + traditional community-based engagement, GenToGen - a multi-channel, hybrid organization - aims to alleviate societal ailing on a micro (individual) and macro (community-wide) level via the fostering, nurturing and supporting of a sustainable Dynamic Hub for the Arts for Next Gen Jewish Artists and their Multi-Generational, Trans-Denominational + Trans-Disciplined peers.

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Main Photo: Students scroll

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"Moshe Rabbeinu. Umm, because basically he was the one that gave us the Torah. And, I'm sort of curious as [to], like, how he envisioned it panning out."

Elyssa Moss Rabinowitz on whom he'd want to meet to pick their brain over tea or coffee, GenToGen Podcast Interview, June 2011

http://gentogen.podomatic.com

Read the Interview Now

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Meaningful connections made and meaningful creations to be crafted.  

If I were to sum up the ROI Global Leadership Summit in Jerusalem that I have recently returned back to the States from attending, that first sentence would be it.  It was a pleasure to be back in Israel, but those connections made and those creations yet to be crafted, were - and are - the gems of the whole experience.  

While in Israel, I made the most of my almost two week adventure, taking time to enjoy Tel Aviv's Arts and Culture as much as I enjoyed intense and jam-packed days of networking and plenaries at the ROI Summit and thereafter, the Third Annual Presidential Conference, also held in Jerusalem.  Thankfully, I also had time to sit down for about 30 minutes for this special interview with Elyssa Moss Rabinowitz.

Most of what Elyssa does is like what I do, and vice-versa.  Naturally, I loved to pick her brain for a brief moment, as she shared her visions of the world as she approaches it through Art, while also sharing her thoughts about the Jewish Peoplehood, in general. 

Often while listening to this interview - and even during the transcription phase - I found myself feeling as though a mirror was being held up, and this mirror could not have come to fruition at a better time.

Enjoy the robust sounds of the ROI Summit Lab surrounding us as we knocked out this interview beneath a well-groomed tree at almost 2 or 3 in the morning...  But more so, I leave you with this: May you keep walking the path you were given, if nothing more than to find the other person who's walking that same path, but happens to just be approaching from the other end of the road.  Art, I see, truly is a halfway meet-up point to all things, people and places in life. 

WEB:

  http://www.kolhaot.com | http://twitter.com/kolhaot | FACEBOOK Page: Kol HaOt |

PRESS:

 http://www.jpost.com/Features/InThespotlight/Article.aspxid=216810&R=R44

To Arts,

Tera "Nova Jade* Greene
Creative Director + Visionary, GenToGen

Are you or do you know of any Los-Angeles Based Next Gen (21-33) Jewish Artists looking for more exposure and want to be a part of a dynamic Artist community? Well, GenToGen wants your tunes, art, poetry, et al! Please submit to: GenToGenLA@Gmail.com with the subject 'Artist Submission'. Submissions will be received on a rolling bases.  All submissions welcome regardless of generation, discipline or denomination.

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VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPz_gkm0ogo

Kol HaOt Activity Samples - Youtube

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Transcript Interview: Elyssa Moss Rabinowitz (Israel)

Download PDF From GOOGLE

 

E: Elyssa Moss Rabinowitz

T: Tera Greene

 

E: Under the Tree? *laughs*

T: Under the tree… meet me underneath the...

E: Mistle...

T: Mistle… bush?

E: Palm.

T: *laughs* Mistle-Palm

E/T: *Laughter*

 

T: Umm, OK, awesome. So, go ahead and state your name please.

E:  Uh, my name is Elyssa Moss Rabinowitz.

T:  And please describe six dynamic adjectives about you.

E: Dynamic?

T: Yes.

E: Umm. Creative. Detail-Oriented. Careful. Umm… Adventurous. Happy! 

T: And one more.

E: Oh, sorry. 

E/T: *laughter*

E: "Not-good-at-numbers…"

E/T: *laughter*

E: …I actually am sorta good at numbers, but not in this context.

T: *laughs* Fair enough… Is that your final answer?

E: Yes.

T: OK.  And what is your favorite cover? Color?

E:  When I asked… when I have to answer that question I usually say turquoise even though I don't, I don't really like having to focus on one color. Umm, I like lotsa colors.

T: You like lotsa colors? OK, but turquoise for the purpose of this interview?

E: Yes…

T: Awesome.

E: ...that will be my final answer.

T: *laughs* Umm, OK, so, now this is the "real" question here: What form of Art do you do?

E: So, I come from a background of, of uh, theatre and drama and I love to dance, umm, I love to sing… on shabbat. *laughs*. But, I would say the form of Art I do is actually - my Art - is to take different media and disciplines and bring them together into a new… whole… experience, and - and that's my - I see my Art in the Production, and the bringing together of different artistic elements to create a very, unified whole. 

T: Wow. That's awesome. OK, so - and is that a profession or a hobby?  

E: I would say it's a profession.  I have a production company called "A Day Away" where I produce events with Jewish content which I pull on all different Arts and disciplines and media to create these unified experiences. And I'm also now one of the founders of a new organization which is really devoted to - in a different, but similar way - umm, devoted to using the Arts - all of the Arts - to portray Jewish ideas, values and text. 

T: Wow. Amazing.  When did you start on the path of being a creative - umm, I guess how you can say - the creative "glue maker", if you will? *laughs*

E: That's a good way of putting it.  I guess I officially started when - soon after i finished University and I sort of had to decide what I wanted to do with myself and I am very blessed to have a father who himself is an Artist and an entrepreneur… and so, he actually allowed me to see the option of creating my own job and my own, umm, take on things.  And so, I guess - luckily - I've been pretty much doing that since, since i started working - I mean, I worked in high school before - but since I really started working… I have had a, you know, couple of "breaks" and worked in more regular... "employee jobs"?  

T: Uh huh. 

 E: …But I think all along I've always been creating this kind of Art. 

 

Students scroll

T: OK.  Describe a moment in time where Art truly healed you. 

E: Well, I'm gunna take that to the, like, most very basic level, I think. And that is… giving birth. And my - When my mother was giving birth to - was pregnant with me - umm, I grew up in Berkeley (editor's note: as in California!) and they were, ya know, hippies in Berkeley, and they did a Lamaze course - and, and one of the ideas of Lamaze is a natural child birth.  …is having a focal point - having something that you can focus on during the time that you're going through the contractions, etc. 

So my father, being an Artist, and being steeped richly in Jewish tradition, decided to take the ancient tradition of kame'as, which are like good luck charms in Judaism. They have, like, special wordings of text, and they've come, you know, traditionally, and historically, the come in certain shapes or, umm, ideas, but there, of course, there are a lot of traditions surrounding birth and the evil eye - and pushing away the evil eye -, and bringing in the right, good vibes…

T: Uh huh.

E: …So, so he took that idea and created a modern kame'a, a piece of artwork, where he took an ancient text and visual - created a visual - in a very modern way.  And my mother used that as her focal point for the Lamaze. And then, I was born! And then they decided, umm, it sort of - it sort of evolved: they started telling people about it and, and, over the years, besides my mother using it for her four children, they started lending it out to people, umm, as they, you know, were having their, their friends were having children. [inaudible] they started writing on the back on the picture all the babies that were sort of born under this good omen and it was still circulating, and in the family, when it came time for me to give birth to my first child and that was… extremely… healing and meaningful to me… to - to be able to, umm, have that continuity and, umm, and, that image - that visual image of that kame'a is very strong and healing in my - in my life - as a child, as a parent, and as a sort of generation passer-oner. *laughs* 

T: That's amazing.

E: …So I've now had the opportunity to use it for four children - umm, actually I'll correct that to say that my fourth came out really quickly so I didn't have enough time to have it right when she was born but I used it - a little bit afterwards. *laughs* Anyway…

T: Thank you for sharing that. 

E: My pleasure.

T: It was beautiful. What other forms of Art inspire you? I know you mentioned a lot.

E: Yeah, umm… I - The truth is I find that, any, any artist who really creates from within their heart and also focuses to make their Art - their craft - well done, I think can be a fantastic expression of their inner self. And so that can be, umm - I love, you know, visual art, I love dance, I'm very - I love to dance myself - and I'm very intrigued about that non-verbal communication of inner thoughts and feelings. Umm, for sure, drama, music… I like, puppetry, film, photography… basically *laughs*, whatever it is, I think that they're all tools.  I think that, that, you know, what really matters is not the vehicle, but the, umm, the fact that there is a vehicle to express something inner, and as long as you have figured out what it is you're trying to express and are working at perfecting the vehicle, and doing it in the best way you can, I think it can be very powerful. 

T: Sweet. Tell me: Who are your influences?

E: Well, definitely, significant influences in my life are both of my parents. My father, as I mentioned before, is a Jewish Artist.  I guess he started with very visual art, umm, calligraphy, paper cuts, illumination, umm, painting. But he's gone in a lot of different directions and now he's like, working with Architects, and building space design, and also working in wood with wood-cutters… really, very broad. Umm, and so that inter - I, obviously - that interdisciplinary thing has affected me in many ways and it's also effected me on the Jewish side of things because, umm, I - I - I got from him the importance of, really sort of grappling with who you are Jewishly and the significance of really expressing it in your life and not just letting it be sort of something about you, but something [where] you actually constantly are, are dealing with, are relating to, are, umm, identifying with… and my mother is also a big influence. She also has very artistic sides to her. She's a guide at the Israel Museum and a lover of Art; for sure, my love of dance I got from her. But I also got from her a lot of… how to deal with people. And how to, how to listen, how to nurture, and how to also stand up for yourself, and look out for yourself at the same time. And I think that's a a very interesting mix, which hopefully, I manage to walk the, the tightrope of, in my personal life. Umm, many other influences, but I can say those are the two that I'd like to mention now. 

T: So, GenToGen is about helping to Support the Arts and the Artists who create them while building a dynamic Jewish community that is trans-denominational, pluralistic and trans-disciplinary. Are you Jewish and if so, how do you approach your Jewishness (are you secular, traditional, cultural, young leadership, conservative, orthodox)?

E: So, yes, I am Jewish, and I - I guess if I had to use a label and a category I would define myself as a Modern-Orthodox Zionist… Umm, Modern-Orthodox in Israel and in the States have a little bit of a different connotation, but I guess, what I mean by Modern-Orthodox, is, is being Orthodox, and committed to Jewish law, while at the same time embracing the secular world and - of, you know, with all it has to offer in terms of - not all, but, *laughs* - [I] take the good things and umm, and… wait what was the other half of the question?

T: Well, basically, how do you approach your Jewishness? 

E: Oh how do I approach it? For me, I think my Jewishness is something that really drives everything I do and it's very important to me, even in my Artistic work.  Again, I see the Art as a vehicle; it's not a, it's not an end, it's a means and I've experienced and seen the power of the Arts - all the different - interdisciplinary, like you said, - but all the different disciplines, and for all the different denominations. Umm, through Art, you can address your Jewishness or grapple with Jewish issues, or explore Jewish text, or umm, decipher Jewish values, through the Arts in ways that you can't always do - or not everyone can do - without the Arts. It's um - it allows you to -, in a very non-threatening and creative way, to really get down to these core issues of "what does it mean to me to be Jewish?", and "what are my values?" and "what do I - how do I handle them?" And "how does it change my life or effect my life?", and I think that's a very powerful thing. 

T: I think that's powerful, too.  Yeah, I love what you said, that's a very, umm… You speak very well, but I think you have a good grasp on what Art is to you and though you're interdisciplinary, and you have all these goals, and everything - but it's very concise, and it's rooted in something. Umm, and I love how you express that.

E: Thank you.

Elyssa explaining art work

 

T: Yeah, yeah. How does - I mean you already answered this - but how does your Jewish background influence your Art? 

E: [pause] Yeah, I sorta put that into the [beginning]. 

E/T: *laugh*

E: I could go on and on about it, but I think…

T: …Do you have anything you had to add? Or are you…

E: …umm. No. 

T: No. OK, 'Cuz you seem spot on to me, you know. 

E: Yeah, sorry. 

(Note: Again, it's the wee hours of the Jerusalem morning. We're hanging in there!)

T: How important is it to you to create Art that pushes the envelope and do you create that form of Art?

E: So it's interesting because we have - there are four partners in Kol HaOt, in our organization. And one of them, Yair, the, the hardcore Israeli, umm, he always says, "After people go through our programs, or go through an event we do or an exhibit we do, I want them to be bothered." That's what he calls it. He says, "I don't - I want them to walk out different than the way they walked in." And I think that that's very important because I might not use the word 'bothered', I would use… but to have some reaction, or to be transformed, or tickled in some way it could be a positive. It could be negative, it could be confused, but, but I would like to hope that any - anything we do - really causes people to react and gets them sort of out of that, like, nonchalantness, about daily life, umm… I think that's one of the purposes of our - of what we're doing. 

T: OK, and can you just elaborate a little bit more about your project and what you're doing?

E: Yeah, sure. The project is called Kol HaOt, the - "Illuminating Jewish Life Through Art" - and we're currently on our first phase which basically is - creates -  educational experiences for North American tourists visiting Israel, where we explore during these hour and a half long programs a certain Jewish theme or value or text using the Arts. So we use them in different ways: we both expose the participant to existing works of Art in, you know, an orchestrated way, and then also, there's always a hands-on component which allows them to then grapple with the issues themselves and create something themselves. So they're going through the Artistic process. And after being inspired, and seeing what other people have done, they can go through it and have, have the process and have something to take away from that experience. So, that's been - we have a whole menu of different programs that we offer. We're working with missions and synagogue tours and Bar and Bat Mitzvah tours, and family tours and senior tours and mostly adults, but also intergenerational… umm, some youth groups, some, you know, "gap year" programs while they're in Israel, so it's really, pretty varied. 

And that's been our first stage. We're focusing on developing these programs and executing them. And we're now, hopefully, G-d Willing, in the process of moving to our next stage, which is to create a home for Kol HaOt, which will be a physical… hub in Jerusalem, which will allow us to continue our educational activities, but also have alternating exhibits and a visual Beit Midrash.  Hopefully, a Caberet - a Jewish Caberet -, where there will be Performing Arts in the evening, all - all throughout, umm, the different projects, conveying Jewish ideas and values through these Arts. And we hope for it to become really a magnet for Artists, for lay-people, for educators, for tourists, who want - who are really looking to be touched, or bothered, or… tickled, while they're here in Jerusalem, by some Artistic Jewish experience. 

T: Great. Great. Sounds just like GenToGen, huh?

E: Yeah. There's a lot of commonality.

 

Students - Jewish Community High School of the Bay

T: I love that. I love that. What are your biggest concerns for the world and how does Art help repair those concerns?

E: I think I'm gunna, like, limit it a little bit to the Jewish world. Because that's one of my, you know, biggest concerns right now from the point I'm in and I think one of the biggest concerns, to me in the Jewish world, is that we're getting to be very denominational, and very separated, and um, there's a lot of conflict from within. And I think, um, I think also… that we're losing people. And we're not just losing people in number - like I'm not talking about assimilation -, I'm talking about in terms of Jewish identity and identification and values and, and I think to address all of those issues, both the common denominators, and unity, I think Art is a great vehicle for that because it sort of equalizes people. You don't need to have a lot of text background, you don't need to have sat in Yeshiva for a million years in order to, to relate to these issues, if you have the doorway of the Art. 

I'm not saying it's not great if you have the opportunity to learn and delve into  text, but I think, in a way, Art sort of equalizes people and lets a lot of people come into the conversation at the same level. A. So that's the unity thing. And I think the other thing is, umm, in terms of the identity crisis, or the issue of losing people.  I think it's also a way to, to connect, to relate, to, to trigger a - I mean, Art is culture, right? And culture is what keeps us going. From Generation to Generation. As you… 

T: *laughs* Nice plug.

E: …as you [put it]. So I think, I think - I think it's traditionally it's been one of the purposes of Art is to help pass on culture and traditions, and so let's, let's hone in on that. Let's use that for - what - this challenge that we're facing of, like, losing people, of losing Jewish identity - losing the core Jewish values.

T: Wow. And where do you live?

E: I live here in Jerusalem, the Holy City!

T: Nice! *laughs*

E: I'm very privileged. 

T: *laughs* So what age group are you in? Are you The Golden Age (45+)? Are you the In-Between Generation (33-45)? Are you Next Gen (21-32), or are you Youth (under 20)?

E: Umm, according to those definitions I'm the "In-Between Generation". E/T: *laughs* 

T: Got it. OK, and so…

E: …although I don't really think of myself as between generations...

T: Wh- What do you -

E: …I'm at the HEIGHT Generation!

T: The "Height Generation".

E: No, it just keeps on getting better.

T: Awesome! I love that. I love that.

E: I actually - yeah, I really believe that I'm - I… you know, some people sort of look back fondly of "oh when we were young and everything was possible" and I just sort of feel like, like I loved that time, but now I'm in such a better place and I, like, just excited and looking forward to see where I'm gunna be in the future. So I do think it just keeps on getting better.

T: So it's the "Getting Better Age"? *laughs*

E: No, I'm saying at every age, it just gets better than it was before. So hopefully it will continue that way.

 

Adults - creating projects

 

T: It will. *laughs* Umm, and how does your Art connect the different generations? 

E: Umm, well, first of all, in a very tangible way. When we do our programs, we work a lot with family groups because, like I said before, it's an equalizer, the Art is an entry level where you don't need a lot of pre-knowledge. So - at least the way we use it - what we call "teachable art". So, we can have a piece of Artwork that will elicit conversation betw- that will allow a parent and a child to discuss the meaning of [a] blessing for them, or the meaning of charity for them, through, you know, which is not an easy conversation to just sort of start in your daily life. But, by having the tool of the Art to discuss it - "What do you see here?" "How do you understand it?" "Why did the Artist choose to do this?" "Why did - what, you know, what… How do you interpret that?" - it's, it's a very easy entry-point and way to allow people from different generations to have discussions. And then, of course, once they've gotten there, they each bring from their richness and their experience and connect to each other so… really, it's just the trigger, I think, to allow them that space.

T: Why do you feel it is important to stay connected to all the generations?

E: First of all, for continuity. And second of all, I think there's a misnah in Avod that says "You should know where you come from and where you're going… And who stands - and who's going to give you judgement." That's the end. But, but I think it's very important for any person to, to know their past, and their future is rooted in their past. And so, the way we accomplish that is by having connections between generations. And, it's very basic to me. 

We used to - I lived for a little while in a small community and it was like a new community, so it was a lot of young families - or, young couples - this was before I had kids, umm, and it really bothered - we left there *laughs* - and it really bothered me that, I - I thought, "I can't bring up my kids in a place where everyone is the same age."  Like, I want them to meet old people, I want them to meet young people, I want, I want the old people to meet them. Umm, I want to have friends of different ages. I don't want to be like an ageist and only be within a circle of people my age, and I want to pass that on. I think there's a lot to learn from everyone at every stage and age, so…

T: I agree. So, what is your legacy? 

E: Hm, what does that mean?

T: What do you, umm, wish people to remember you by?

E: I, I guess if, um, - if people had a… - this is a little ambitious sounding -, but if people had one "ah-ha!" Jewish moment because of me, I would be very happy. Meaning that they'll remember me that I helped them, you know, learn, experience, grapple with, something Jewish for the first time, that, that's a success for me. 

T: Where do you see yourself in five years?

E: Well…

T: …and as an Artist - as it pertains to you Art?

E: Yes. I mean, hopefully, I would love for Kol HaOt to be a very successful venture by that point and really become a hub of activity - and I don't mean just a physical space but really a buzz where there, the idea of using the Arts for Jewish content is sort of trickled out to ever- to the whole Jewish world via the kind of tools and education that we're building and creating. 

T: Cool *laughs* 5 years is just around the corner!

E: Yea, it's a little ambitious. 

*

Dear listeners/readers!

I have a very special Podcast Episode to upload from my recent trip in Israel at the ROI Global Leadership Summit. Due to a little jet-lag and transitioning back home to also care for a sick elder, this week's episode will be posted Monday instead of the usual Sunday.

I apologize for any inconvenience!

Until then, please point your browsers to the following links... these are two blogs that I have written during my trip, and I hope they find you well:

NextGenJews Blog - Chailight: ROI Global Leadership Summit 2011

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Jewish Journal "Oy Gay" Blog - Young Global Leaders Converge at Summit

To Arts,

Tera "Nova Jade* Greene
Creative Director + Visionary, GenToGen

PS: Over the next few months I will also be revamping the look/feel of the site... Keep an eye out! Thanks for the support thus far.

Main Photo: Nina, AIDS surviver daily shot interferion (photo by Leon Mostovoy)

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"Mary Ellen Mark I have always admired her art. Also Jeanne Winterson -  she has a great creative mind and writing style.  I think I could learn from them both. "

Leon Mostovoy on whom he'd want to meet to pick their brain over tea or coffee, GenToGen Podcast Interview, June 2011

http://gentogen.podomatic.com

Read the Interview Now

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My, oh my, it's a wonderful thing to get to know so many interesting Artists.  And when I mean Artists, I mean anyone who approaches life with a lens of Art.  I am currently in Jerusalem for the ROI Global Leadership Summit, and I had a lovely conversation with one of my fellow participants whom mentioned that he realized one day growing up that his grandpa, a denture maker, was an Artist.  I agree. I mean, artistry comes in so many forms, and teeth, if you will; above all, it isn't the medium, but it is the expression that makes the Art, in my humble opinion.

Leon Mostovoy is a transgender artist who has been on the front lines of creating queer and political art for decades.  He started his queer art career with publishing erotica for On Our Backs magazine in the early 1980s.

Most of his former photographic series have been about the struggles and triumphs of women as they strive for strength and independence living outside the lines of heteronormative expectations.

Art, in any form, is meant to create dialogue.

With so many schisms in the world, I am glad that I was introduced to Leon, because he allows me to remember that even though I am an open book, I am constantly expanding my comfort zone and his presence in my life is as pertinent as it is in yours. I have learned much from this interview, and it's so appropriate as Lynn Schusterman addressed us at the opening ROI session tonight and charged us with staying open and expanding our comfort zones at all times to be "change agents in the community and around the world."

So, as I get ready to hit the bed for a few hours before the next day of ROI Summiting, I give to you Leon.  May you find the common thread in his answers that resonate in your storytelling of Life. 

(All images in this podcast episode by Leon)

WEB:   leonmostovoy.wordpress.com

To Arts,

Tera "Nova Jade* Greene
Creative Director + Visionary, GenToGen

Are you or do you know of any Los-Angeles Based Next Gen (21-33) Jewish Artists looking for more exposure and want to be a part of a dynamic Artist community? Well, GenToGen wants your tunes, art, poetry, et al! Please submit to: GenToGenLA@Gmail.com with the subject 'Artist Submission'. Submissions will be received on a rolling bases.  All submissions welcome regardless of generation, discipline or denomination.

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From Death of My Daughter Series on F2M reincarnation

Six dynamic adjectives about Leon Mostovoy:

Passionate, strong-minded, creative, morally-just, determined, loving... proud. (He's earned 7 adjectives :-) )

Leon's favorite color:

midnight blue

What form of Art do you do? (Ie. How do you Make Beautiful the world)

Editorial and documentary Photography.

Is this a profession or hobby?

It was the way I made my living for 20 yrs. My career is now in administration to design, produce, direct, collaborate and hire other artists to teach many forms of art to inner city, under served youth in an after school program. [I'm] therefore living vicariously though these projects. My art is in the status of more money [being] put out than the projects put back in [to my pocket].

I can understand about the finances.  Which is why one of the components and mission of GenToGen is to help eradicate the idea of a "starving artist".  I look forward to following up with you once that education component starts to roll out! Now, tell us, when did you start on the path of your Art?

Age 18.

Good age! Next, describe a moment in time where Art truly healed you.

Getting a positive reaction and support from family members from my photography series and film Death Of My Daughter - which is about parental expectations - and my parents cutting [me] out of their lives and choosing to never speak to me after I informed them of my decision to transition from female to male.

What other forms of Art inspire you?

Movies and literature. I made my first doc short this year and am proud to say it has been accepted to Frameline, Outfest and a few other festivals.

Congrats! My film Queerer Than Thou (co-produced by Kalil Cohen, a GenToGen Feature), were at those festivals.  You are in the big time! So, let's go back. Please tell me -  who are your influences?

Mary Ellen Mark, Larry Clark, Joel Peter Wilkens, Diana Arbus, Velvet Underground, Rimbaud, Sartre, Izzy Pop, all things punk rock 1976-80.

Wow, that's great that you like punk rock.  You're making me a fan of you more and more as this interview goes on.  But, I digress...  GenToGen is about helping to Support the Arts and the Artists who create them while building a dynamic Jewish community that is trans-denominational, pluralistic and trans-disciplinary. Are you Jewish and if so, how do you approach your Jewishness (are you secular, traditional, cultural, young leadership, conservative)?

I was raised in LA in a secular family. I relate on a cultural basis. I also agree with a lot of the spiritual aspects and guidelines of living a just life.

So, how does your Jewish background influence your art?

I think that Jewish culture has a lot to do with standing up for the rights of people and personal freedom. My work has always been political and about giving a voice to the unheard.

Leon, Gender Variant Masculine Fashion Book

How important it is to you to create Art that provokes or pushes the envelope?  Do you create such a form of Art?

Work that pushes and makes people question standards is what I'm most interested it viewing, making, and collaborating with other like minded people. It [is] my opinion [that] art is made to develop and define history and culture.

Where do you currently live?

Highland Park (Los angeles)

Nina, AIDS surviver, uses her blood as make up

Leon, what are your biggest concerns for the world and how does Art help repair those concerns?

My concern is that people that don't fit neatly into the social norm are not treated equally socially or politically.  My work it about challenging these social norms.

What age group are you in? The Golden Age (45+), the In-Between Gen (33-45), Next Gen (21-32), Youth    

(laughs) The Golden Age, why do you call it that? Perhaps in my case it's because I still have a hint of blond in my hair.

Haha.  I don't know why I call it that.  Because you all are so golden! I think I heard that term somewhere.  Feel free to suggest another name... How about 'The Fabulous Age?' :-)  With that, how does your Art connect the different generations, Golden Man?

My art is about queer life and the struggle and triumphs of queers. I think we all have some the same issues, fears, hurts, challenges, goals, strengths, and power no matter the age.

Why do you feel it is important to stay connected to all generations?

One can learn best by keeping connected to those that are different from themselves. Different generations have different goals, or different ways of viewing - or getting to - the same goal. [Individual diversity] can be a strong way of connecting and getting the job of changing the world done. Working with all people in all age groups is important.

So, what's your legacy?

Queer art activist.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the 1980-90's I did a lot of work in the queer arena, fighting for equality i feel the next 5 years will be about putting my work back into the world giving a voice and identity to the transgender community.

Last question, what are some of your BIGGEST, JUICIEST GOALS and how will your form of Art help you get there?

My personal goals are to have many people view my art and learn something about themselves and the people I celebrate in my art. To reach my goal I need more exposure and hope that will happen. I am working on it right now.

Leon, you have opened my eyes with you candidness and your Artistry.  I hope that GenToGen can help facilitate more exposure for you.  Let me know how to help you.  I appreciate you taking the time to be interviewed and to share your story on our podcast.

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Leon Mostovoy is a transgender artist who has been on the front lines of creating queer and political art for decades.  He started his queer art career with publishing erotica for On Our Backs magazine in the early 1980s. Most of his former photographic series have been about the struggles and triumphs of women as they strive for strength and independence living outside the lines of heteronormative expectations.

WEB:    leonmostovoy.wordpress.com

GenToGen's Mission:  Utilizing media-rich + enterprising online social media interaction systems alongside active + traditional community-based engagement, GenToGen - a multi-channel, hybrid organization - aims to alleviate societal ailing on a micro (individual) and macro (community-wide) level via the fostering, nurturing and supporting of a sustainable Dynamic Hub for the Arts for Next Gen Jewish Artists and their Multi-Generational, Trans-Denominational + Trans-Disciplined peers.

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