Does Justin Timberlake look Jewish to you? The Tennessee-born hitmaker might not be a member of the Tribe, but he’s set to play one in Spinning Gold, an upcoming biopic about Neil Bogart. The late founder of Casablanca Records, Bogart was a Jew from Brooklyn who introduced the world to musical acts like KISS. The story chronicles Bogart’s rags-to-riches journey from Brooklyn to star-studded Hollywood, which ended with his tragic death in 1982 at the young age of 39. Interestingly enough, Bogart’s transformation from Brooklynite to music exec has a familiar echo to it.
Born Neil Bogatz on February 3, 1941, in Brooklyn, the enterprising young man began his music career not behind the scenes as a label head, but as a singer. In 1961, under the name “Neil Scott,” he managed a hit with the song “Bobby.” Eventually, Bogart would find his calling as a record label exec. With his larger-than-life personality, he took his label through the ups and downs of the disco era in the 1970s. Among the artists he brought to the forefront of the music industry are the Village People, masterminds of the hit “YMCA,” and disco queen Donna Summer.
Though his reign at the top of the record industry may have been clouded by the occasional scandal, there’s no question that Bogart was characterized by hard work, dedication to the craft, and an out-of-the-box approach. This work ethic is characteristic of many Jewish baby boomers, whose parents or grandparents first immigrated to America with little except the clothes on their backs. By working their hands to the bone, these individuals lived the American dream to provide a better future for the children. Those children took what their parents gave them and built upon it to create their own companies and opportunities for future generations.
How can we carry on their legacy? Everyone finds a different answer to this question. As the children and grandchildren of hard-working individuals who strove to improve their family’s opportunities in life, we can use our ancestors as inspiration. First, once we graduate, we must mix pragmatism and optimism, hopefully working in fields we love while remaining practical. We can’t afford to forget that we must provide for ourselves and our future families.
In today’s economy, it’s no shame to take up a job that pays well, even one that might not be your dream job. Employment opportunities are few and far between. If you have to create a nest egg for yourself by working a job you’re not crazy about so you can pay your dues and eventually fulfill your dreams, then so be it. Tempering sacrifice with passion, hope with practicality, is a hallmark of “how to make it in America.” Like the immigrants making their way through Ellis Island, we all have hopes and dreams for our futures, but must remain realistic about them, too.
Though he grew up in an impoverished area of Brooklyn, Neil Bogart knew he wanted to get into the entertainment business. He followed his heart, while remaining pragmatic about the business side of things: instead of stepping in front of the mic, he chose to utilize his talents to their best ability. Bogart taught his children the same lesson of success in business. His sons, Tim and Evan, are the masterminds behind the production of Spinning Gold. Some musically-inclined individuals might know Evan as the songwriter behind hits like Beyoncé’s “Halo” and Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love.” Their family’s legacy has survived, both in musical forms and in the dedication of its descendants. Let’s hope Timberlake is up to the challenge.
Carly Silver is a senior at Barnard College, Columbia University, majoring in religion and minoring in ancient studies. Originally from Weston, Connecticut, she is currently trying to pay for college by playing the ponies at a Tri-State area racetrack. Her column, Twenty Thousand Leagues From Hillel, appears here on alternating Fridays.
