Special Collections at the JMI Library at SOAS

Yuval publications from the Hebrew University Jerusalem
Donated by the Vice Chancellor of the Hebrew University, Jerusalem: the currently complete collection of published books, journals and CDs of Yuval, The Centre for Jewish Music Research

The Cantor Benjamin Stein Collection
Donated by Cantor Benjamin Stein of Jerusalem, formerly cantor of the Temple Neve Shalom, New Jersey: 70 volumes of printed Jewish music, the nucleus of the Institute's cantorial music collection.

The Rev Isidore Freeman Collection
Donated by Mrs Angella Carne of Stockport: the musical archive of her grandfather cantor in Liverpool for over 40 years from 1910. Cantor Freeman's dearest wish from the 1920s was to establish a syllabus for teaching Jewish music and to hold a Jewish Music Festival for the UK (unfulfilled until the work of JMI in 1984) The

Emmanuel Fisher Collection
Donated by the family of the late distinguished composer and arranger, Emmanuel Fisher, Music Director of the London Jewish Male Choir for 21 years taking them to new heights: books, manuscripts, concert programmes and original compositions in the Jewish Music Institute Library.

Marcus Carr Collection and Lionel Benjamin Collection
Donated by Mrs Bessie Carr and Cantor Stephen Robins: over 3000 recordings of cantors of the 'Golden Age' (the first half of the 20th century) and Yiddish song including some rare recordings as well as a collection of 78rpm Jewish recordings from Europe and America.

The Barry Weinberg Collection
The family of the late Barry Weinberg are donating Barry Weinberg's extensive collection of Jewish music books, scores, recordings, lecture notes and memorabilia will be housed in the Jewish Music Institute Library

Suppressed Music
A special section of the library is devoted to music and memorabilia of composers who were exiled or killed by the Nazi regime. There is a great deal of work to do in unearthing and reassessing music that was banned and almost extinguished. JMI intends to create a Centre for Suppressed Music particularly regarding musicians and composers who fled to Britain to escape persecution. This would include research, performance, recording, exhibitions and publishing as well as an archive.

Other Gifts
We acknowledge with grateful thanks donations of books, CDs and funds from numerous individuals. Part of the Collection Policy of the Jewish Music Institute Library at present is to encourage donations of old recordings and music books and thus provide a sanctuary for sometimes precious material in danger of being discarded because of a lack of proper facility. JMI will have the items assessed and dispose of any inappropriate materials appropriately.

last modified: 20 April 2004