Oy Oy Oy Gevalt!: Jews and Punk

(Hardback)

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Step inside a fascinating world of Jews who relate to their Jewishness through the vehicle of punkfrom prominent figures in the history of punk to musicians who proudly put their Jewish identity front and center. Why did punka subculture and music style characterized by a rejection of established normsappeal to Jews How did Jews who were genuinely struggling with their Jewish identity find ways to express it through punk rock Oy Oy Oy Gevalt! Jews and Punk explores the cultural connections between Jews and punk in music and beyond, documenting how Jews were involved in the punk movement in its origins in the 1970s through the present day. Author Michael Croland begins by broadly defining what the terms "Jewish" and "punk" mean. This introduction is followed by an exploration of the various ways these ostensibly incompatible identities can gel together, addressing topics such as Jewish humor, New York City, the Holocaust, individualism, "tough Jews," outsider identity, tikkun olam ("healing the world"), and radicalism. The following chapters discuss prominent Jews in punk, punk rock bands that overtly put their Jewishness on display, and punk influences on other types of Jewish musicfor example, klezmer and Hasidic simcha (celebration) music. The book also explores ways that Jewish and punk culture intersect beyond music, including documentaries, young adult novels, zines, cooking, and rabbis.

Reviews

I am one hundred percent certain that there are very few, if any, who would think of punk and Judaism in the same sentence. At least so I thought until I read Michael Croland's book. . . . I had no idea how many different bands and variations there are and I found it especially interesting to read about the backgrounds, motivations, and influences of the artists throughout the book. * Amos Lassen *
Jews and punk. Two words that can seem contradictory, and yet . . . Michael Croland shows the similarities of these two worlds. . . . Through many anecdotes and interviews, the followers of this strange sect show us that they found an understanding environment, after having felt like outsiders or excluded from their communities, whether it's a punk or a Jewish community. * European Institute of Jewish Music *
Now THIS is a book! Just because I'm an all-buttoned-up religious Jewish lady, in middle-age, doesn't mean that I wasn't a punk rocker back in the day. Somehow this book popped up as a recommendation to me to read, so I got it from the library, loved it, and bought my own copy online. Who knew that so many punk rockers were Jewish, and who knew that they referred to Judaism so much in their songs I'm not stepping back into that world, but it's a fun read, certainly nostalgic, and I'll listen to the songs if I can find them. Be forewarned, I might be playing The Clash as I make the potato kugel! * Goodreads *
My nominee for 'If you only read one book about Jews in Punk.' . . . Very early in the book there is a retelling of info regarding The Ramones, The Dictators &co in the embryonic days of punk, but this is 'scene setting' for the stories that comprise the rest of the book. Stories of punk bands of all types, punk-influenced scenes (Klezmer revival, Radical Jewish Culture etc), zines, films, internet chefs, Rabbisthat's right, Punk Rock Rabbis!all are here in a very well written book that will have you reaching for the music streaming service of your choice so you can hear the bands you're reading about. A welcome bibliography is included for further reading, as well as a handy glossary of Jewish terms for bewildered goyim like me. * Goodreads *
It's a wonderful book and Michael's the authority on the . . . natural convergence between Jewish culture and punk music. * Johnny Negotiable, Soundings, KRRN Juneau *

Author Bio

Michael Croland has written about Jews and punk for the Forward, New Voices, and his former blog, heebnvegan.