Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-16
YOELSONS PROUD
OF AIS SUCCESS
Choir Boy of E Street Syna-
gogue Becomes Famous
as AL JoISon.

She didn't want her boy to be an
actor, but now that he has become the
worlds highest paid comedian, Mrs.
Morris Yoelson, inspiration for all of
AL Jolson's NANNY" melodies, may be
pardoned if she points with pride to
the fact that AL gets his music from
his "poppa"
1t Is a far cry from Asa Yoelson. the
syncopating choir boy at Rabbi Yoel-
sons synagogue down on e street
southwest near Four and Half street,
to AL Jolson, singing star of the stage
and "talkies," but Al, being a Yoelson,
made the jump.
Rabbi and Mrs. Yoelson, rounding
out happy domestic life in the modest
home at 1857 Lanier place, presented
them by their famous son, cannot but
smile as they reflect upon the pa
ternal frowns they directed upon ASA"
when he sought to answer the lure Of
the bright lights.
Asa inherited his fathers love of
music and his fathers voice. Rabbi
YoelSon had hoped his son would in
herit also his fathers love for the spir-
itual quietude Of the synagogue. The
singing choir boy of Southwest Wash
ington chafed at the bit, however, and
Illdlly hlCkGO over CLlc tIdCco W oCCA
freedom in other fields. He became a
singing waiter" in the cabarets.
switched to burnt cork and musical
comedy and became Americas singing
fool"
Debt to His Parents.
The public, following the meteoric
course of the star of "Sinbad," Big
Boy" and theS"Jazz Singer" has lost
sight of Jolson's font parents. Al, him
self, though besieged by popular acclaim,
never has forgotten the debt he owes
his father for the musical training
which started him on the road to sue
cess, nor the debt due his mother for
during his early struggles.
The sentiments which he holds
toward them were incorporated to a
large degree in his first talking picture,
the theme Of which was drawn from
his own life. It depicted a Jewish choir
boy. son of a rabbi, who forsook the
synagogue for the cabaret and the stage.
Rabbi and Mrs. Yoelson occupied choice
seats at local theater when that pic
ture received its first showing, and they
expect to be among the first nighters"
when his future productions are exhio-
tied.
After all, the love of freedom which
induced AL Jolson to break away from
ties of home may have been inherited,
also, from his father. Rabbi Yoelson.
restless under the oppression visited
upon his people in the old country,
packed his belongings while still in his
teens and emigrated to the Land OF
Freedom across the ocean.
He left behind him in Kovna, Latvia,
his birthplace, pretty girl, who was
I1fe
both to the realization that they were
in love. On becoming rabbi of a syna-
gogue in Newburg, N. Y, he sent for
her to join him in America. Accom-
panied by her mother, she made the
long journey and became the rabbits
wife. They remained in NeWburg for
three years, and then came to Wash
ington.
Lover of Music.
Always a lover of music, Rabbi Yoel-
son devoted much of his time to lead
ing the choir of his congregation and
| to composing Hebrew chants. His COM
positions echo the plant of a people
| long suffering under the burdens OF
| said that the appeal of AL Jolson's sing
ing is due to a certain note of sadness
| in his voice-a note no doubt barking
back to the fluctuations of his forbears
II taught my son music when he was
a little boy" the kindly, venerable
rabbi told his interviewer. He sang in
my choir and had beautiful soprano
voice. 1 think the religious music which
| he learned then has had a great infiu-
| ence upon his singing and song writing
especially with regard to the ballads
which carry a sad strain"
If AL had followed the advice OF his
parents he might have been DIR. Asa
| Yoelson" today.
Neither his father nor wanted
him to become an actor" Mrs. Yoelsor
said. He was ap extremely bright 30!