velvel pasternak (october 1, 1933 – june 11, 2019) was a canadian-born american musicologist, conductor, arranger, producer and publisher. he was born in toronto, ontario to immigrant parents from poland. pasternak studied at juilliard school and columbia university, and specialized in jewish music. in 1981, "the new york times times" called him "largest publisher of jewish music." he was the founder of tara publications. he was responsible for publishing 26 recordings and over 150 books of jewish music starting in 1971.