Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, Their Jewish Roots, Their Music,
and Their Influence on Our Lives and Each Other

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, grew up in a Kosher home and attended the religious-Zionist summer camp, Camp Herzl. Leonard Cohen, an ordained Zen Buddhist monk who nevertheless still cleaves to Judaism, has long explored religious themes in his work.

Pat Pattison and Mark Simos, Professors at the Berklee College of Music will speak to us about these two icons of the music world, whose poetry and song writing have inspired generations of listeners. Temple Isaiah's own Jeweltones will perform a song composed by each of these featured artists artist during the course of this program.

In addition to writing four books, Pat Pattison has developed five online courses on lyric writing, poetry, and creative writing. More than 800,000 students have enrolled in his "Songwriting: Writing the Lyric" course since its first run in 2013. Pat continues to present songwriting clinics in the US and internationally. He also teaches lyric writing and poetry at Berkelee College of Music.

Mark Simos is a pioneer “neo-traditionalist” songwriter, “tunesmith” and composer, as well as a fiddler, accompanist, and educator. He combines a long apprenticeship in varied roots music traditions with continuing willingness to stretch forms and take musical risks. Mark is Associate Professor, Songwriting at Berklee College of Music.