Congregation Gates of Prayer offers a Debbie Friedman Shabbat tonight

Cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence is offering a different type of Shabbat experience tonight as she will be leading the musical portion of Shabbat worship services with a series of tribute songs composed and made famous by Jewish singer Debbie Friedman, z’l.

DEBBIE FRIEDMAN

Friedman, who is considered one of the greatest of composers and songwriters to emerge from the Jewish camping experience, died in 2011 of cancer. She was 59 years old at the time her passing.

Among the standards used in Reform worship services are her version of “Mi Sheberach,” the prayer for healing, as well as her setting of “Oseh Shalom,” a song for peace. Friedman was also responsible for the popularity of songs that galavanized the modern protest songs such as “Not By Might” and songs that speak to hope such as “And the youth Shall See Visions.”

Tonight’s service for Shabbat Shira will also feature the Kol Simcha Choir, commemorating the parsha that is read to commemorate the crossing of the Hebrews from the sea to freedom and the leadership of both Moses and his sister Miriam. 

Services begin at 7 p.m. with Rabbi David Gerber officiating.