Singer/Songwriter Debbie Friedman (1951-2011)

[chomiji]

Debbie Friedman, whose setting of the traditional Hebrew prayer for healing, Mi Shebereich, I have linked here a couple of times before, died this past Sunday of pneumonia.

(Debbie Friedman's setting of L'Chi Lach, Genesis 12:1)

She played guitar and composed folk-style melodies for traditional prayers, and she was also quietly proud of her identity as a gay woman. Her songs were taught to my daughter at Sunday school, appeared on the CD we played at Hanukkah parties, and were sung during services at both the congregations I have attended in recent years.

May her memory be a blessing.

New York Times obituary