Sara Noznisky Lownds Not Jewish: Jakob Dylan Falters and Stonewalls Howard Stern on Question of Mothers Ethnicity

Rober Shelton on Sara Dylan in No Direction Home:

She had a Romany spirit, seeming to be wise beyond her years, knowledgeable about magic and folklore and traditional wisdom.

Sara Dylan lemme tell ya about a vision that I saw. John 4 New International Version (NIV):
19 Sir, the woman said, I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem. 21 Woman, Jesus replied, believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. 25 The woman said, I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. 26 Then Jesus declared, I, the one speaking to youI am he.

Bob Dylan biographer Howard Sounes failed to even attempt to demonstrate that Sara Dylan was Jewish through the maternal line or even make the claim; he also (sternly) stonewalled my request by email for him to provide such evidence in 2002 or so. This stonewalling, double stonewalling, speaks volumes. Going by my Scribd statistics, a lot of people still want to know about Sara Dylan. Jewsweek June 24, 2008
The son also rises Being the son of Bob Dylan was never easy. In fact, Jakob Dylan has spent his entire life wanting to come out from behind the shadow of his legendary father. Now, he finally can. by Michael Schwartz Yet he has always run away from the Dylan name. His reserve, of course, only brought more insistent attention. He was, he said, "accused of being aloof and grumpy." But some of the desire to hold himself apart was instinctive. "When I had grown up," he says, "there was a lot about: 'We're not a celebrity family, we're not available. People want to know those things, you walk away.' So when I started doing this myself, somehow I convinced myself that I could still maintain the anonymity. Only recently I've thought, Maybe that's why I look so detached, because I thought like actually I wasn't there."

I saved this from the Web in 2008, but it has since disappeared.

www.expectingrain.com lists this in 2002: Thursday, Dec 5 24 - The Son Also Rises Jakob Dylan - (Jewsweek) (link found by Howard Mirowitz) Transcribed by me, Paul Kirkman, from Howard Stern and crew drunkenly interview Jakob Dylan at the 2000 MTV Music Awards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJNYujEutaQ Uploaded by Handsome00Brilliant on 16 Jun 2010: Woman: [with drunken impetuosity] Did you have a bar mitzvah at the wailing wall? Stern: No, that was the other brother, stop it. Where was your bar mitzvah? Someone (male): [singing drunkenly] Merry Christmas, happy new year . . . Stern: Everybody calm down. Where was your bar mitzvah? Jakob: Uh . . . Stern: Was Bob Dylan a good father? Alright, do you like being his son? Woman: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Did you have a bar mitzvah? Stern: Yes of course he did, hes a Jewish guy. Of course he has a bar mitzvah. Someone (male): Says heeee. Hes Jewish. Jakob: Yes I did. Stern: Yes of course hes Jewish, hes Bob Dylans son. Someone (male): Yeah but his mothers Catholic. Stern: Thats true, your mothers Catholic, so youre not Jewish. Someone at same time: [singing in mocking tone] Youve got a lot of nerve. Jakob: You have no idea what youre talking about! How could you possibly know what youre talking about. Stern: John, what do you know? Someone (male): [inaudible] Jewish . . .

Someone (male): How would you know the difference? Stern: John, what are you saying? Someone (male): Is your mother Jewish or Catholic? A very simple question. Jakob: Uh-hum, if if youd like uh uh, Im Jewish. Stern: Hes Jewish, of course hes Jewish. Stop it, you dont even know anything. Woman: [laughing] my hearts going to stop. Stern: Come on Jackie, shut up, youre horrible . . . hey, by the way . . . Jakob. So what youre saying is your mothers Jewish. Jakob: No, er, Im not, Im only, Im going to talk about myself. Im Jewish. Stern: Right, youre Jewish and you had a bar mitzvah but you didnt have it in Israel. Jakob: I did not. Stern: OK that was your o[th?]er brother. Someone (male): You got a lotta nerve! Jakob: Yes. I have a brother who had a bar mitzvah . . . Stern: What is your [venue?], what is it, what is it. [Benjy?] give him the microphone. Stern: We cant hear ya, we cant hear ya, those guys are out of it, alright, Jakob listen to me . . . [continues but away from the Jewish thread] ----Jakobs deflection contradicts the glib intransigent assertion of Howard Sounes (not for the first time), self-appointed religious guardian of the Dylan sons, in BBC Radio 4s Blowing in the Wind: Dylan's Spiritual Journey at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011c0s2/Blowing_in_the_Wind_Dylans _Spiritual_Journey/ (To coincide with Bob Dylan's birthday (24 May 2011), presenter Emma Freud explores the singer's spiritual journey, revealing a side to the performer that is often overlooked)

In it the petulant Dylan biographer Howard Sounes says:

Of course he married a Jewish woman. His first marriage to Sara Dylan, she was Jewish. Friends were Jewish, he had lived in a Jewish world all his life!

How would Sounes, who ignores Craig McGregor interviews with Dylan revealing evasiveness and ambivalence about his Jewish heritage, know the difference? Or in fact even what Jewish means? Especially given that Sounes is clueless about religion and spirituality and wouldnt know a Jewess from a brass bed. What the hell is, for example, the Book of Paul, pray tell? On the black gospel backing singers: They evangelized him, and he kind of fell for it! But who would be stupid enough to fall for Sounes? Clinton Heylin, a much better self-appointed Holey Spirit than Sounes, on the same programme: Those who doubt his sincerity need to look at themselves. Doubting Dylans sincerity being precisely what Heylin does in his own biography. Jonathan Cott, the loquacious laconic1 Jonathan Cott, in Dylan (1985) p 202:
To give the devil (or should I say angel?) his due, I should remind both myself and the reader that, as the Jungian analyst Jeffrey Satinover has written: "Once the star is established, his fans will tear him to pieces should ever he fail to carry for them the projected childhood Self. A recent example from pop culture is the fans' vituperative reaction to Bob Dylan's unexpected changes of style. Once a narcissistic complementation has been set up between any leader and his following, he is as bound as they. The rigidity of the relationship and the strength of the forces maintaining the status quo stem from the mutual common individual fear of fragmentation." Or as Dylan told the Minneapolis weekly City Pages in 1983: "People want to know where I'm at because they don't know where they're at."

As for Sara, where was she at? Where did she pitch her tent? Draw her water? http://archive.chazzanut.com/jewish-music-old/msg01648.html
Re: Peter Himmelman From: P. Kirman <pkirman...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Wed 21 Jun 1995 17.00 (GMT) Is he still married to Dylan's daughter? I can't believe people would write him off as an example of nepotism. Like, it would really
Loquacious if you are Terry Kelly or (implicitly) laconic if you are Michael (p 255) commenting on the predominance of photos in the book Dylan.
1

be the first time in the entertainment business. If he wanted to flaunt that he was Dylan's son-in-law he would, but he seems to downplay it. A side note: for someone who is so religious, it is ironic he is married to someone who is not Halachically Jewish, and so his children technically are not Jewish either. From: Martin Grossman <tgg...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Thu 22 Jun 1995 08.00 (GMT) Himmelman has three children with Maria Dylan Himmelman. According to P.H.(in a recent interview), he is determined to avoid the usual showbiz marriage collapse syndrome. Maria is Bob's adopted daughter. Her mother is the former Shirley Noznisky, later Sara Lowndes, then Sara Dylan. By all accounts, she is and always was Jewish. This would make their kids Halachically Jewish. They sent their kids to Jewish camps while they were growing up. Bob is supporter of Chabad thes days, as is Peter who davens with Chabad in L.A. Re: Peter Himmelman From: P. Kirman <pkirman...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Thu 22 Jun 1995 16.00 (GMT) The information that I have, is that Dylan's wife was not Jewish when he married her. Only when a person is born Jewish (i.e. has a Jewish mother) or if a person has had an Orthodox conversion is the person Halachically Jewish. Sara Dylan was not born Jewish, and if she converted, it was not of the proper kind of conversion. Only the Orthodox standard of conversion is universally accepted by Judaic law. Sara already had Maria by a previous marriage/relationship, so Maria has no Jewish roots whatsoever according to Halacha. Just because Bob is a supporter of the Chabad, does not make his children Halachically Jewish, and so, technically, Peter's children are not Jewish either unless Maria has had an Orthodox conversion. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big admirer of Peter and a great fan of his music and I am glad he is so proud of his Judaism, but I cannot stand hypocrisy. From: Matthew H. Fields <fields...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Fri 23 Jun 1995 04.00 (GMT) What if the kids had had an orthodox conversion. From: P. Kirman <pkirman...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Fri 23 Jun 1995 09.00 (GMT) I am not sure if children can get an orthodox conversion at such young ages. You would have to ask an Orthodox rabbi. The thing is, Orthodox conversions are really difficult to get. You just can't go to a rabbi and ask for one and get it. It takes a lot of time and study and exams and questioning, so I am not sure if a child would be able to get one.

From: hebass <hebass...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Mon 03 Jul 1995 03.48 (GMT) (The following is a collection of mean and harsh words. They are not directed at any one in particular, it is just an expression of my anger towards what I consider to be a misguided religious statement) Where did you get the idea that the only valid conversion is an orthodox conversion? Do you even know the requirements for a Halakhic conversion? And what if this is a conversion done by an orthodox Rabbi graduated from the Yeshiva University, would that be acceptable to Chabad? Try no for this last question. (end of the angry words) Judaism is a religion with a myryad of facets and we have enough of mutual animosity. The reason why the Second Temple was destroyed was Sinat Chinam, hatred between correligionaires. We don't have a Temple anymore because the religion has changed and evolved. Should we continue with this Sin'at Chinam, what will be destroyed now? Our people? Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass "I'd give a cow not to get into an argument, but I'd give all my cattle not to leave it." (Old Brazilian saying) From: hebass <hebass...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Mon 03 Jul 1995 04.10 (GMT) I am sorry to insist in this point. Any one can get a conversion and it does not need to be an orthodox one, just a conversion to Judaism. It is difficult in most cases because the person interested in the conversion will be rejected at least twice before being accepted to the study part of the conversion. The convertee has to acquire a whole lot of Jewish knowledge that apparently some Jewish people do not have. Children, however, are the easiest people to convert. If they are newborns and the parents are going to educate them in a Jewish environment, the only other requirement is a circuncision and a mikvah. We must stop thinking and assuming that orthodox is the only authentic way of neing Jewish, and if you are not Orthodox you might as well not be religious. This is wrong! First of all, which orthodoxy are you reffering to? Second, some orthodox sects practice something realy close to idolatry. You do not need to add the word orthodox in front of Jewish. If it is Jewish it is enough. Hazzan Henrique Ozur Bass "I'd give a cow not to get into an argument, but I'd give all my cattle not to leave it." (Old Brazilian saying) From: P. Kirman <pkirman...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Mon 03 Jul 1995 21.00 (GMT)

Hello, I have never, ever in my postings in alt.music.jewish said or meant to imply that one must be Orthodox in order to be Jewish. However, in the case of conversion to Judaism, I am discussing this matter from a traditional Halachic standpoint, to which you obviously are taking a more liberal approach. It remains that the more traditional a conversion is, the more universally accepted it is. Reform conversions are generally not recognized by Conservative and Orthodox, Conservative conversions generally not by Orthodox, and even some Orthodox conversions by some extreme religious Judiac sects. Shalom, Paula Re: Peter Himmelman From: Martin Grossman <tgg...> Subject: Re: Peter Himmelman Date: Tue 04 Jul 1995 03.00 (GMT) I must have missed something here. Perhaps while I was out of town. This whole thing is rather silly, especially since Sara Dylan, Maria's mother (the former Shirley Nozinsky or soemthing like that), is a far as I know "halachically" Jewish. Who says otherwise. And why do you care? Himmelman, I'm sure, is raising Jewish children.

Grossmans By all accounts, she is and always was Jewish simply wont do as it merely presupposes what has not been demonstrated. As does this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AList_of_notable_converts_to_Christianity/ Archive_2
Bryan Styble, editor and publisher of Talkin' Bob Zimmerman Blues (the first Dylan fanzine in the U.S.) offered up his perspective on the situation: "Some people have found it odd that Dylan maintains his contacts with Judaism as a Christian. Actually, this has been quite natural. His ex-wife Sara and five children are observant Jews, and Dylan has always valued his close family ties."

From Robert Sheltons May 1968 interview with Bob Dylans parents, in Derek Barkers Isis: A Bob Dylan Anthology (2001):
R.S: Is Sara Jewish? Dad: Yes, her name was Novozovotsky. In fact, Bobby was tracing it out and her grandfather is from Odessa, too. R.S. Note: The name is Novozletsky.

Yes, but why was Bob tracing it out at all? Sister lemme tell ya. 2 Kings 17 is why. Sara Dylan was a white gypsy, a metaphorical Samaritan. Alan Unterman on the Samaritans:

The Jewish status of these foreigners was considered doubtful by some rabbis of the Talmudic period, who accused them of worshipping doves, and intermarriage between Jews and Samaritans was forbidden.

2 Kings 17, King James Version. (If you find Michael Grays favourite KJVese of poesy very boring, skip to verse 26 but dont blame me if you dont get the context).
1In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. 2And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him. 3Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. 4And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. 5Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 6In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. 9And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. 10And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: 11And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: 12For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. 13Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

14Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. 15And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. 16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. 17And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 18Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. 19Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. 20And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. 21For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin. 22For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; 23Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. 24And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. 25And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

Verse 26:
26Wherefore they spake to the king of Assyria, saying, The nations which thou hast removed, and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the God of the land: therefore he hath sent lions among them, and, behold, they slay them, because they know not the manner of the God of the land.

For a telling Dylanological comparison, although hardly required reading, the NIV (for example):

It was reported to the king of Assyria: The people you deported and resettled in the towns of Samaria do not know what the god of that country requires. He has sent lions among them, which are killing them off, because the people do not know what he requires.

26

WHEN YOU GONNA WAKE UP? From Slow Train Coming ( 1979):
Do you ever wonder just what God requires? You think Hes just an errand boy to satisfy your wandering desires

Sara Dylan clearly didnt. Biographer Anthony Scaduto:

"Bob needed Sarah very desperately," a close friend from that period says. "His head was all screwed around from the pressures, the fame, that whole insane thing that was happening to him, and Sarah represented some solid ground. She was mystical, into Zen and all, and seemed to have found her own head and maybe seemed to have some answers from Zen, and Dylan needed that, Also, she was sort of Zen-egoless, She didn't try to get into Bob's head the way people always do, because that's not where it was at for her. And Bob needed that kind of unthreatening woman. She seemed to be able to give herself over to him and his special needs. Besides which, she is very beautiful and very tender."

How weak was the foundation. From one of Dylans gospel raps: Montreal 22 April 1980, I think:
Thank you. I'm leaning on that solid rock, and you need that solid rock. There's a form of medium called Zen. They got a way of twisting things all around, make what's good seem bad and what's bad seem good. I was talking to a girl the other day who just lives from orgasm to orgasm. I know that's a strange thing, but that's what she's said to do because of these so-called modern times. But she's not satisfied.

Recall Shelton:
She had a Romany spirit, seeming to be wise beyond her years, knowledgeable about magic and folklore and traditional wisdom.

Esoteric Buddhism: theosophy. Was Sara Dylan Jewish?

'We're not a celebrity family, we're not available. People want to know those things, you walk away.'

Which is precisely what Jakob and Jesse didnt do in the case of the manipulative and interfering busybody Howard Sounes. Paul Kirkman, Messianic Dylanologist 2012