Bridging Cultures Through Music at Xavier University
In an unconventional classroom setting at Xavier University of Louisiana, renowned Israeli artist Neta Elkayam stands before her students, not with a textbook or lecture notes, but with a song. She often sings in Moroccan Arabic, echoing the musical traditions of her ancestors. This approach stirs something profound in her primarily Black student audience, many of whom are experiencing Jewish culture for the first time. They might not understand the lyrics, yet they feel a deep connection—to the music, to Elkayam, and perhaps even to their own roots.
The Power of Shared Experiences
Elkaym describes her performances as a means of exposing common ground—the universal search for our origins that resonates across cultures. She believes that the emotional connections forged through music are instrumental in guiding students on their personal quests for identity and understanding. This heartfelt methodology forms a transformative element of the course she co-teaches with Amit Hai Cohen at Xavier, an immersive exploration of music, memory, diaspora, and interfaith exchange. The course aims to deepen understanding between the Black and Jewish communities, evolving into one of the most popular electives on campus.
The Unique Setting of Xavier University
Xavier University stands out as the nation’s only Catholic historically Black university. It serves as a juxtaposition for two Israeli artists whose lives and works are deeply influenced by their experiences across Morocco, Jerusalem, Marseille, and Paris. Here, their artistic and pedagogical journeys converge, despite the geographical and cultural distances. Yet, as their time at the university draws to a close due to funding constraints, the couple faces an uncertain future—one that reflects wider financial challenges confronting Xavier itself.
Financial Strains and Institutional Challenges
Currently grappling with significant financial uncertainties, Xavier has witnessed recent layoffs amidst the backdrop of a major donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Coupled with shifts in federal higher education funding, Elkayam and Cohen now find themselves at a crucial intersection—can they continue to nurture the cultural landscape they’ve crafted in New Orleans?
Artists at the Crossroads
For Elkayam and Cohen, the present is a complicated amalgamation of hope and uncertainty. Both artists possess a long-standing historical connection along what they term the “Jerusalem-Morocco axis,” yet they face the question of whether this in-between space can evolve into a permanent home.
A Mosaic of Musical Influences
Elkayam, a prominent figure in the reinterpretation of North African Jewish music, provides an innovative answer to a question many Mizrahi Jews wrestle with: how to reconnect with lost cultural legacies. Drawing from a rich palette of Andalusian, Amazigh (Berber), and Jewish liturgical traditions, her work is characterized not just by preservation, but by an act of reinvention—creating a bridge between the past and the present.
Cohen adds depth to this artistic endeavor through multi-disciplinary projects that examine memory and ritual across different faiths. Together, they challenge the need to delineate between genres and historical categorizations, instead opting for a collaborative and fluid approach to music that emphasizes dialogue, community, and shared experiences.
A Journey Rooted in History and Relationship
The couple caught the attention of academics and community organizers through their thought-provoking performances and projects, which resonate not just on a cultural level, but also address systemic issues of identity and belonging. For example, Flo Low, the founder of Bamah, was inspired to bring the couple to Xavier after witnessing Elkayam’s ability to “reconnect” individuals with their roots through her powerful performances in Israel.
This concept of reconnection becomes even more significant when viewed through the lens of recent events in American society, particularly the rise in anti-Semitic sentiments and a broader discourse on race. Students at Xavier, who have often been ignorant of Jewish perspectives, are eager to learn from Elkayam and Cohen, recognizing the urgent need for inter-community dialogue.
Engaging with Complicated Conversations
In light of rising tensions fueled by public figures and social media, students at Xavier initiated discussions that not only address antisemitism but also the shared legacies of Black and Jewish communities in America. This initiative reflects a conscious attempt to counteract hate and foster solidarity, aligning with the university’s mission to educate and empower its diverse student body.
Cultural Capital in New Orleans
As Elkayam and Cohen have immersed themselves in the vibrant cultural scene of New Orleans, they discover shared rhythms between Moroccan street rituals and the city’s own second-line parades—an element of celebration that permeates the community. They find this connection illuminating, leading them to adapt their repertoire to reflect local influences, thus helping to establish musical roots.
The Ongoing Dialogue of Identity
With New Orleans becoming a home of sorts, both Elkayam and Cohen are navigating a personal journey of identity. Elkayam speaks to the immigrant experience that has begun to shape her perspective, especially seeing her children embrace their New Orleans identity. As they learn to celebrate local traditions, the couple reflects on their place in the artistic landscape.
They recognize a shift in themselves, feeling less tied to national identities and more attuned to the relationships they cultivate within diverse communities—an evolution that resonates with ideas of Jewish diaspora that transcend borders.
Searching for Answers Amid Uncertainty
Amidst this backdrop of cultural exploration and identity, their future remains precarious. Currently supported only by temporary visas, they are anxious about the stability of their roles at Xavier as funding sources wane. Nevertheless, they persist in their creative pursuits, teaching, composing, and fostering relationships within their adopted community.
Elkaym and Cohen embody the spirit of exploration and connection, seeking to foster understanding through the threads of music, culture, and shared human experience, regardless of the uncertainty that lies ahead.
