Richard Jacob Newman was a composer, arranger, conductor, and teacher. Neumann was born on January 20, 1915 in the Ukraine, the son of Cantor Karl Neumann.
He graduated from the Prague Conservatory and received a master's degree from the Vienna Academy of Music.
In 1937 he emigrated with his family to the United States. After receiving American citizenship, he was drafted into the US Army and Fought in Europe. After the war, he directed the musical education program for the allied forces in the Austrian occupation zone. He returned to the USA in 1946.
Newman worked as the music director of the Education Alliance organization. Later, as a composer, he collaborated with the UN Film Department. In the 1950s and 1960s he conducted the choirs of the Jewish Centers in Hillcrest, Long Island, various synagogues in New York, and Philadelphia. From 1972-1984 he directed the music program of the Greater New York Council for Jewish Education.
He is the author of numerous articles and books on Jewish music and Jewish musical education, like the book: Alma Rose: Wien 1906 - Auschwitz 1944.
Richard Jacob Newman died suddenly on December 15, 1984 from a heart attack.
Source: 'Richard Jacob Neumann' at Yiddish Music Website (in Russian).
See also the list of Richard Jacob Neumann's publications at the National Library of Israel website.
