Explore iconic movie songs—from Over the Rainbow to Mrs. Robinson—and the Jewish creativity that made them timeless.
ONLINE
THURSDAY, 12:00-1:30pm (ET), November 20, 2025 - January 15, 2026
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.
— "Over the Rainbow"
Music by Harold Arlen, Lyrics by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg
From the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz
Course Description:
From The Trolley Song to Over the Rainbow, Mrs. Robinson to My Heart Will Go On, movie songs have not only set the mood and advanced the plot—they’ve captured hearts and become part of our cultural soundtrack. In this engaging course, we’ll explore how Jewish composers and songwriters shaped some of the most iconic music in film history. Through audiovisual clips, behind-the-scenes stories, and rich anecdotes, we’ll examine each song’s cultural significance, its role within the movie, and the artistry of its lyrics and melodies. Along the way, we’ll delve into the broader Jewish contributions to Hollywood—from the composers and lyricists to the singers, actors, and studio moguls who helped make movie magic. This is a journey through unforgettable music, timeless stories, and the Jewish creativity that helped bring them to life.
Thursdays, 12:00 - 1:30 pm (ET)
Emanuel Abramovits is a Mechanical Engineer with an MBA, Concerts promoter since 2000, responsible for many shows by international artists in Venezuela, like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Kansas, Megadeth, Dream Theater, Slash, Backstreet Boys, ASIA, Journey, Kenny G and all main local Symphony Orchestras. Designed and staged many original events, like MOZARTFEST, PINK FLOYD NUESTRO TRIBUTO (Event of the Year winner), OFRENDA PARA VYTAS, EL CAMINO DE SANTIAGO LLEGA A TI (world premier), etc..Cultural Director at UNION ISRAELITA DE CARACAS from 2008 to 2019, in charge of documenting Holocaust survivors’ stories, the history of the local Jewish Community, art exhibitions, lectures, film cycles, orchestral concerts, Limmud contents, etc. Recent exhibitions included the History of Yiddish Culture in 2017 and the History of Jewish Music in 2018.
