Baruch Dayan Emet -- Debbie Friedman z"l .... and prayers for healing for Representative Gabrielle Giffords
My note to our congregation on January 9, 2011, in memory of Debbie Friedman, and out of concern for the victims of the shooting in Tucson: Whether or not the name of Debbie Friedman is familiar to you, you are likely to have heard (and probably sung) her music. For the last twenty-five years or more, she has been the most outstanding composer and performer of contemporary American Jewish synagogue music. Sadly, she died today, in her late 50's, after a bout with pneumonia, and after many years of serious health challenges. Debbie Friedman's music has been like a soundtrack for many important moments of my life. At age 15, the first time I ever conducted a choir, we sang her "Dodi Li." When Naomi and I got married, her "Lechi Lach" was played during our procession. We sang songs from her album "Renewal of Spirit" as we approached the birth of each of our children. Most Shabbatot of my adult life have concluded...