January 12, 2011 / 7 Shevat 5771

January 12, 2011 / 7 Shevat 5771

Dear Har Shalom Community,

It has been a difficult week for the Jewish people and for our country.

In a senseless act of violence in Tucson, Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords – the first Jewish congresswoman elected to the House from Arizona -- was targeted and shot. Thankfully, she is expected to survive and we pray for refua shleyma, complete healing for her as well as for the other victims. We mourn the tragic loss of the six people who were killed including a U.S. District Judge John Roll, and 9 year old Christina-Taylor Green. And we find inspiration in the acts of heroism which saved many other lives.

The Jewish people have also lost a great light of our generation. Debbie Friedman z”l, beloved singer, teacher, songwriter and liturgist, died of pneumonia early Sunday morning in an Orange County hospital. Thousands and thousands of people sang Debbie’s own songs for her healing as word of her critical condition spread.

“Debbie utterly transformed Jewish prayer; her inspiration reached hundreds of song leaders and worshippers who could find Judaism through music, through her new style that brought American folk, Hebrew and English together. She was a creative force behind a new and joyful feminist Jewish expression, leading women's seders, and bringing Miriam's Song to life. She was a leader of the Jewish healing movement, and her Mi Sheberach – her healing song - is almost universally known.” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske

May we pass on the legacy of Debbie Friedman joyfully. May we continue to nurture our connection to God and to Judaism through the power of Jewish community singing together whether on Shabbat, in our religious school or any time we gather together. May we continue to find healing through song, prayer and community, and may we find the courage to make our lives a blessing.

Debbie’s unique version of the ancient prayer Kaddish de Rabbanan calls for us to pray for the well-being of all of our inspiring role models, including Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel z”l whose birthday was yesterday/

For our teachers and their students and the students of their students, we ask for peace and loving kindness, here and everywhere. May they be blessed with all they need, and let us say, amen. –Kaddish deRabanan

Rabbi Shoshana and Rabbi Ben