[2] Suite Hébraïque is similar in style to another of Bloch's compositions, Baal Shem for violin and orchestra (1939).
[3] Bloch had composed six pieces, known as the Jewish Cycle, between 1911 and 1916, and last of these was Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque for Violoncello and Orchestra.
When he immigrated to the United States in 1916 and settled in New York City, Bloch renewed his study of Jewish music.
[2] In 1950 the Chicago Federation of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations organized a weeklong celebration of Bloch's music to mark the composer's 70th birthday.
Suite Hébraïque later was dedicated to the Covenant Club of Illinois, possibly for sponsoring the world premiere of all five pieces and for promoting their first recording in 1952.