Samuel E. Goldfarb

Samuel E. Goldfarb was born in 1891 on the Lower East Side of New York City to a musical family. He studied music at Columbia University, supporting himself by playing piano in a nickelodeon and for a Yiddish vaudeville theater. Goldfarb was a prolific composer of songs and other music. With his brother, Israel Goldfarb, he composed hundreds of songs, and in 1925 the brothers compiled the first American collection of Jewish songs, the Jewish Songster. Samuel Goldfarb's most famous song, "The Dreidel," is sung during Chanukah by children throughout the world. Goldfarb was musical director for Temple de Hirsch in Seattle for 38 years. During that time he conducted many adult and children's choirs, served as organist, taught classes, coached singers, and continued to compose and arrange music. Goldfarb died in Seattle in 1978.

From the description of Samuel E. Goldfarb papers, 1912-1981. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 28410207

Often called "the father of Jewish music in America," Samuel E. Goldfarb (1891-1978) was a prolific composer of songs and other music, including the Chanukah staple, "I have a little dreidel" (also known as the "Dreidel song"). Born in 1891 on the Lower East Side of New York City into a musical family, he learned to read music from his older brother, Israel, and sang as a choirboy in the synagogues. Goldfarb studied music at Columbia University and supported himself by playing piano in a nickelodeon and for a Yiddish vaudeville theater. After a few years working in both the secular and religious music fields, Goldfarb was appointed acting cantor at Temple Emanu-El in New York and decided to devote himself to Jewish music. In 1925, he was appointed head of the music department of the Bureau of Jewish Education and worked with his brother, Israel Goldfarb, to compile the first American collection of Jewish songs, "The Jewish Songster." This collection, in two volumes, was used in schools throughout the country and included some of Goldfarb's songs. In 1930, Goldfarb married Sylvia Lupow in New York. Later that year, while attending a wedding in Seattle, Washington, Goldfarb accepted the post of music director of the Temple de Hirsch synagogue, where he would build an impressive music program over the years. Outside of the temple, "Mr. G," as he was affectionately known, directed the Halevy Singers and the Sephardic Men's Choir. He also continued to compose some secular music, such as "I See an America," a musical setting of a speech by Adlai Stevenson. At his 25th anniversary celebration at Temple de Hirsch in 1955, Goldfarb and his wife were presented with a trip to Europe and Israel. The Goldfarbs returned from Europe aboard the ill-fated Andrea Doria and had to be rescued at sea after the ship collided with a Swedish vessel. In 1968, Goldfarb retired as music director at Temple de Hirsch.

From the description of Samuel E. Goldfarb photograph collection [graphic], 1912-1969 (bulk 1955-1965). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 506577716

Samuel E. Goldfarb was often called "the father of Jewish music in America." He was born in 1891 on the Lower East Side of New York City into a musical family. He learned to read music from his older brother, Israel, and sang as a choirboy in the synagogues. Goldfarb studied music at Columbia University and supported himself by playing piano in a nickelodeon and for a Yiddish vaudeville theater. After attending Columbia, Goldfarb did some composing, arranging, accompanying, and choir conducting. He spent a year in Reno, Nevada, from 1923 to 1924, where he played theater piano and organ and also played for parties and dances. While in Reno, he was appointed acting cantor at Temple Emanu-El, where he organized a choir. Goldfarb returned to New York in 1925 and decided to devote himself to Jewish music. He was appointed head of the music department of the Bureau of Jewish Education.

Goldfarb was a prolific composer of songs and other music. Together with his brother, Rabbi Israel Goldfarb, he composed hundreds of songs that are sung in Jewish schools. In 1925, the two brothers compiled the first American collection of Jewish songs, The Jewish Songster . This collection, in two volumes, was used in schools throughout the country and included some of Goldfarb's songs. The brothers also compiled Friday Evening Melodies . Among Samuel Goldfarb's compositions are biblical operettas, the best known being "The Jews in Egypt" (1926), Bible songs, festival songs, and choral music. His most famous song is "The Dreidel," which is sung during Chanukah by children throughout the world.

Samuel Goldfarb married Sylvia Lupow in New York in 1930. Later in that year while attending a wedding in Seattle, Goldfarb accepted the post of music director of Temple de Hirsch. Goldfarb built an impressive music program at Temple de Hirsch. Over the years he established three children's choirs and trained generations of children in music. In addition to the children's choirs, he directed the adult choirs, the graduate school glee club, the Sisterhood Chorus, the Professional High Holy Days Choir, and the Temple Quartet. Goldfarb also served as organist and conducted from the organ. Besides directing his choirs, he coached singers and taught Hebrew School classes. At times more than 1,200 adults and children were under his tutelage.

Outside of the temple, "Mr. G," as he was affectionately known, directed the Halevy Singers and the Sephardic Men's Choir. He also arranged music for Susan and Maurice Friedman's "Cavalcade of Jewish Music" and coached Maurice Friedman.

While at Temple de Hirsch, Goldfarb continued to compose and arrange music for use by his choirs. He also composed some secular music, such as "I See an America," a musical setting of a speech by Adlai Stevenson. The Seattle Chorale performed this widely hailed work in a choral arrangement in 1965.

At his 25th anniversary celebration at Temple de Hirsch in 1955, Goldfarb and his wife were presented with a trip to Europe and Israel. The Goldfarbs returned from Europe aboard the Andrea Doria and were rescued at sea after their ship collided with a Swedish vessel. In 1968 Goldfarb retired as music director at Temple de Hirsch. He died in Seattle in 1978.

From the guide to the Samuel E. Goldfarb photograph collection, 1912-1969, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)

Samuel E. Goldfarb was often called "the father of Jewish music in America." He was born in 1891 on the Lower East Side of New York City to a musical family. He sang as a choirboy in the synagogues and learned to read music from his older brother, Israel. Samuel Goldfarb studied music at Columbia University while he supported himself by playing piano in a nickelodeon and for a Yiddish vaudeville theater. After attending Columbia, Goldfarb did some composing, arranging, accompanying, and choir conducting. He spent a year in Reno, Nevada, from 1923 to 1924, where he played theater piano and organ and also played for parties and dances. While in Reno, he was appointed acting cantor at Temple Emanu-El, where he organized a choir. Goldfarb returned to New York in 1925 and decided to devote himself to Jewish music. He was appointed head of the music department of the Bureau of Jewish Education.

Goldfarb was a prolific composer of songs and other music. Together with his brother, Rabbi Israel Goldfarb, he composed hundreds of songs which are sung in Jewish schools. In 1925 the two brothers compiled the first American collection of Jewish songs, The Jewish Songster . This collection, in two volumes, was used in schools throughout the country and included some of Goldfarb's songs. The brothers also compiled Friday Evening Melodies . Among Samuel Goldfarb's compositions are biblical operettas, the best known being "The Jews in Egypt" (1926), Bible songs, festival songs, and choral music. His most famous song is "The Dreidel," which is sung during Chanukah by children throughout the world.

In 1930 Samuel Goldfarb visited Seattle to attend a wedding and accepted the post of music director of Temple de Hirsch. Goldfarb built an impressive music program at Temple de Hirsch. Over the years he established three children's choirs and trained generations of children in music. In addition to the children's choirs, he directed the adult choirs, the graduate school glee club, the Sisterhood Chorus, the Professional High Holy Days Choir, and the Temple Quartet. Goldfarb also served as organist and conducted from the organ. Besides directing his choirs, he coached singers and taught Hebrew School classes. At times more than 1,200 adults and children were under his tutelage.

Outside of the temple, "Mr. G," as he was affectionately known, directed the Halevy Singers and the Sephardic Men's Choir. He also arranged music for Susan and Maurice Friedman's "Cavalcade of Jewish Music" and coached Maurice Friedman.

While at Temple de Hirsch, Goldfarb continued to compose and arrange music for use by his choirs. He also composed some secular music, such as "I See an America," a musical setting of a speech by Adlai Stevenson. This widely hailed work was performed in a choral arrangement by the Seattle Chorale in 1965.

At his 25th anniversary celebration at Temple de Hirsch in 1956, Goldfarb and his wife were presented with a trip to Europe and Israel. The Goldfarbs returned from Europe aboard the Andrea Doria and were rescued at sea after their ship collided with a Swedish vessel. In 1968 Goldfarb retired as music director at Temple de Hirsch. He died in Seattle in 1978.

From the guide to the Samuel E. Goldfarb papers, 1912-1981, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)