Eisenstein, Judith (1909–1996)

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Eisenstein, Judith (1909–1996)

American author, musicologist and composer. Born Judith Kaplan, Sept 10, 1909; died Feb 1996 in Bethesda, Maryland; dau. of Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan (founder of the Reconstructionist branch of Judaism); attended Juilliard School; Columbia University Teachers College, BA, 1928, MA, 1932 in music education; School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College, PhD; m. Ira Eisenstein (rabbi), 1934.

At 12, became the 1st female to have a bat mitzvah in the US (Mar 18, 1922); taught musical pedagogy and history of Jewish music at Jewish Theological Seminary of America's Teachers Institute; was on the facutly of the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College (1959–79); composed original liturgical music; created and broadcast a 13-hour radio series on the history of Jewish music; wrote the 1st American Jewish songbook for children (1937).

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Eisenstein, Judith (1909–1996)

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