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February 25, 2011
Debbie Friedman remembered
Community honors and celebrates musician’s life.
RABBI DANIEL MIKELBERG
I am often asked, “What made you decide to become a rabbi?” There were many defining Jewish experiences that helped me find my path. Among the most important are my many camp experiences and memories; for example, saying goodbye to Shabbat with Havdalah or singing favorite tunes around the bonfire. Music also defined my experience in Israel, whether singing a niggun (melody) during Kabbalat Shabbat services in Jerusalem or attending an Israeli rock concert. And I mustn’t omit the impact of prayerful liturgies at Temple Sholom.
Music has the ability to inspire, truly touching our souls. There are those moments when words alone do not suffice and melodies are needed to carry our sentiments higher. Whether expressing gratitude or grief, hope or hardship, it takes great craft to finely balance the words of our heart with the musical meditations of our neshamah (soul). Debbie Friedman was incredibly talented at blending our traditional words with transformational notes. With her recent passing, at the age of 59, we have lost a true master of music.
In the words of Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, “Twenty-five years ago, North American Jews had forgotten how to sing. Debbie reminded us how to sing, she taught us how to sing. She gave us the vehicles that enabled us to sing. Then she impacted our youth and our camps and, ultimately, from there she impacted our synagogues.”
Friedman gave us many gifts, leaving an outstanding legacy for her people. Perhaps most noteworthy is her Mi Shebeirach, her version of the traditional healing prayer. As we direct the words of the Mi Shebeirach to the people we love, we pray for healing. Sometimes this is a physical healing of the body. Sometimes this is a spiritual sense of shalom, of wholeness and peace. And sometimes the Mi Shebeirach is a means for us to find courage. It can be so difficult in moments of vulnerability to know what to say. Thank goodness that we can respond with the Mi Shebeirach.
Another powerful Friedman liturgical masterpiece is Lechi Lach. God’s command to Abraham of Lech Lecha is transformed into the feminine, thereby enabling each and everyone to be able to relate to God in his or her own way. One of Friedman’s many contributions was that she helped us to use inclusive language, reminding us that we are all created b’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, and that no one needs to feel alone. As she channels God’s words with her compositions, we are reminded that each of us “shall be a blessing.”
On March 8, at 7 p.m., there will be an opportunity to celebrate Friedman’s life and her great contribution to Jewish music. Temple Sholom and Congregation Beth Israel are presenting an Evening Tribute to Debbie Friedman at Temple Sholom. Cantorial soloist Naomi Taussig and Cantor Michael Zoosman will lead the evening of song, and the entire community is invited.
Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg is assistant rabbi at Temple Sholom Synagogue.
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