The Bar-Mitzvah Of Alan Niederman
Published December 12th, 2006 in Oddities Tags: History, Kitsch, Music.
On May 14, 1961, Alan Niederman of Merion, Pennsylvania celebrated his 13th birthday. The only reason I know this is because his well-heeled father pressed up a deluxe album commemorating his Bar-Mitzvah. No ordinary vanity effort, this four record set spans a whopping SIX HOURS. The ceremony itself unfolds in all its solemn glory across the first three sides. The last five sides capture the festive birthday blowout that was no doubt etched indelibly in the memory of all who received their complimentary copy of this magnificent keepsake. Oh, did I mention that it was pressed on clear red vinyl, or that it was mastered at 16rpm speed?
I’ve owned this album for years, but I haven’t had access to a turntable that can handle 16rpm since my grandparents’ entertainment console died some time in the early 80s. Somehow, it wasn’t until last week that I finally evoked the miracle of technology, unleashing digital pitch control on the whole mess. Rendered intelligible by the process, the recording is an absolutely charming fly-on-the-wall document of a bygone era and a tightly-knit community coming together to honor their traditions and flout flaunt their excessively kitschy lifestyle.
Even leaving off the ceremony itself (as I have), the dinner dance goes on for four hours. Master of ceremonies Jay Jerome and his orchestra play for nearly the entire time, supplying both contemporary hits and popular music from yesteryear, as well as the occasional traditional fare. Jay’s lively vocals animate the proceedings as he emcees the candle lighting ceremony, wishes the Rabbi a happy birthday, announces the anniversary of Alan’s parents Nat and Janet, and leads the kids in a dance. He admonishes the boys, “now look fellas, when I say change partners, don’t leave the girl standing there…take her over to another partner, ya know? Like gentlemen!”
Though Jay comports himself throughout with the expected professionalism, as soon as the spotlight is turned on the family or their guests, it’s knuckle-dragging time. “Is this thing on? Am I on the air?” inquires one thick-accented dowager into the microphone. Janet inquires of Alan, “ya gonna kiss your mother, or are ya too old now?” At one point, Alan cravenly thanks his father for everything he’s done for him, to which Nat responds, “It was a pleasure, Alan.” As they leave, one party-goer estimates that the flowers alone must have cost “at least seven thousand.”
For his part, Alan plays an understandably central role in the proceedings, delivering the blessing, interviewing the children’s and parent’s table, dancing with his mother and sisters, and offering farewells to the drunken guests at night’s end. Through it all, he displays a cheeky chutzpah befitting one truly to the manor born. (”You havin’ a good time? Don’t forget your money to me…”)
And all the while, the orchestra just keeps noodling away, sawing through medleys that never seem to end. And Jay just keeps going, flirting with the little girls, joking with the guests, crooning song after song after song. “How do you keep it up?” someone asks him. “Ya gotta make a livin’, don’t ya?” He replies. At one point, Jay honors his host by performing a song he wrote during World War II. It seems Nat Niederman was a songwriter back then, and managed to place his opus “Gee I Wish (A G.I. Wish)” with Vaughn Monroe, who recorded it in the Forties.
I found Jay’s obituary (he died in 2001) online at the web site of his alma mater, the University Of Pennsylvania. He was a legendary fixture in the region, playing important events both for the Jewish community and the public at large, as well as setting up residency in Atlantic City during the summer season, until he retired in the late 1980s.
This time of year, the blogosphere is drowning in Christmas posts. (Don’t they know there’s a war on?
DOWNLOAD Tracks 1-10 (75 MB)
DOWNLOAD Tracks 11-17 (86 MB)
DOWNLOAD Tracks 18-25 (80 MB)
who are you?
Linda
According to Wikipedia:
Of course, that’s just the public side of me. Can anyone truly be summed up effectively by his Wikipedia entry? No more, I suppose, than can one be by their Bar-Mitzvah album!
Thanks for visiting, Linda! Your father knew how to throw a heck of a party!
how did you get the album?
Linda Niederman
I’ve had it for so long, I no longer remember. But I’m sure I wasn’t in attendance, since I would have been only eleven months old!
Your part on the record, by the way, is so cute (I’m sure you’ve been told this before)!
from your essay: “Somehow, it wasn’t until last week that I finally evoked the miracle of technology, unleashing digital pitch control on the whole mess. Rendered intelligible by the process, the recording is an absolutely charming fly-on-the-wall document of a bygone era and a tightly-knit community coming together to honor their traditions and flout their excessively kitschy lifestyle.”
Flout means to defy or to disdain, to show contempt for.
Flaunt means to show off, to make an ostentatious or defiant display.
Flaunt it is then! (This business of writing before coffee has got to stop!)
your parents or grandparents must have been at the bar mitzvah. what were their names?
yes, I’ve been told my comments were adorable and I remember that night vividly. It was a party to remember for a lifetime. I was five-ish. Actually still have the dress I wore that night!
did you know there a sound motion pictures of the services and the party too?
Linda
I’m not surprised there’s film. But how many family actually pressed deluxe albums?
My family is from the midwest, the Thomsons from Minneapolis and the Bostroms from Iowa. I must have picked the album up in a second-hand store. I’ve traveled a lot and have been collecting vinyl for several decades. So this copy could have come from just about anywhere! However, I’ve spent the most time in two prime retirement areas: Arizona and Florida.
are people downloading the songs? how do you do that? post it, I mean. I see it costs money to download it.
Linda
> are people downloading the songs?
Maybe a half dozen people have. It’s a pretty big download.
> how do you do that?
Click on one of the links, follow the directions. The alternate links are usually easier.
> I see it costs money to download it.
Rapidshare charges for certain “premium” features. You can download the files for free.
Hello everybody
i came across the recording of alan’s barmitzvah, and find it delightful and touching (is it the word, i am french..) It reminds my own ceremony and dinner, some years ago…
In fact, this unique and private event (i mean the one you’ve post) became by the magic of internet (and the mdigital manipulatins of Mr Bostrom) a public phenomenon, and could be considered as an ethnologic subject. So i think that this post deserves a great consideration. You can study modern jewish social life through this recording.
I don’t remember what was the orchestra during my B-M, but i’ll surely remember Jay jerome. We are also curious of the film that was shot this day. If Mrs Niederman Silver could give us a few moments of the movie, it would be nice.
We ‘ll be glad aqlso to hear a bit of the family, bur maybe it’s too personal??
bye for france, and keep on
Serge
I couldn’t agree more. And “touching” is exactly the right word.
I am Jay Jerome’s grand daughter, and would LOVE to get my hands on the computerized versions of his songs. Please email me.
Thanks!!!
Warm regards,
Galit
I’ll do even better; I’ll fix my download links so that everyone can enjoy this album again!