|
December 12, 2008
Gift of Torah, music
New children's CD will have a teacher's guide.
RHONDA SPIVAK
Although he is a world-renowned food chemist, Dr. Michael Eskin also has a passion for making Jewish music.
Eskin, who has been a faculty member at the University of Manitoba in human ecology for the last 40 years, has recently released his first CD, named Mostly Genesis, With a Little Exodus. In the CD, Eskin brings well-known biblical stories to life in a unique way that children catch onto easily. Tracks include "The Creation," "Noah's Ark," "Lech Lecha You Must Go," and one rap track, "The Pesach (Passover) Rap."
When the University of Manitoba's public relations department heard the CD, they liked the Passover rap so much, that they made a video of it and put it on YouTube. This can be viewed by going to www.youtube.com and typing in Eskin's name.
Supported by a grant from the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba, Eskin's CD incorporates several different musical styles, including folk, reggae and country music.
"In preparing the verses [of the songs], I tried to be as true to the text as possible, while still making them interesting and fun to sing," said Eskin. He explained that the musical arrangements were done by his son, Josh, a local musician, who also plays the accompaniment on the CD.
According to Ruth Ashrafi, director of Judaic studies at the Grey Academy in Winnipeg, Mostly Genesis is a "great tool for any parent or teacher wanting to teach Torah to their children."
Jason Marantz, a former Winnipegger who is now headmaster of a primary school in London, England, said, "As a learning resource, Michael's CD is quite unique." He added, "The engaging melodies and insightful yet entertaining lyrics make the Torah stories featured both accessible and inviting."
Eskin said he is presently collaborating with Marantz in preparing a teacher's guide for use with the CD. He explained, "Jason wants to start using the CD in Jewish day schools in England. I think it is going to happen. After that happens, the CD potentially could be used by Jewish schools elsewhere as a teaching tool [such as Canada]."
Eskin, who was born in Birmingham, England, said he has always had an affinity for music. "I wanted to be an opera singer, but my parents encouraged me to go to university and seek an alternate career in case the singing didn't work out," he said.
In England, Eskin received his PhD in toxicology and then immigrated to Canada. While a university student, he studied at the Birmingham School of Music and was a soloist with the Birmingham Zimriyah Choir. When he moved to London to teach at the Borough Polytechnic (now Southbank University), he studied under Benvenutto Finelli, principal tenor with Sadlers Wells Opera Co.
Eskin has also performed as a folksinger and he has performed as a cantor in a number of synagogues in Western Canada, as well as a cantor for High Holiday services in Sheffield, England. Eskin has been a featured guest artist at the Neepawa Music Festival in Manitoba.
As a scientist, Eskin has been involved in establishing the importance of canola as a major oilseed in Canada. He is currently working with researchers to determine the health and functional properties of yellow mustard and hemp, and to discover whether yellow mustard may prevent colon cancer. He is also conducting research on the frying performance of new canola oils.
Eskin, who has garnered numerous scientific awards, is a fellow of scientific societies in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. His ninth and latest book is The Dictionary of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (2005), co-authored with Snait Tamir.
Mostly Genesis, With a Little Exodus is on sale at Israel's bookstore in Toronto, if you're there over the holidays. For information on obtaining the CD elsewhere, Eskin's website is www.eskinmusic.ca.
Rhonda Spivak is a freelance writer who divides her time between Israel and Winnipeg.
^TOP
|
