- Special Service

Our Friday night Shabbat service on February 3 will focus on music, as it is Shabbat Shira, the Sabbath of Song, when the Israelites celebrated their safe crossing of the Sea of Reeds and eluded the pursuing Egyptian chariot army.  It is also the first yahzeit of Debbie Friedman, a singer and a songwriter who took our ancient liturgy and gave it a broad appeal to modern worshippers.  Debbie was a good friend of the LGBT community and of Congregation Etz Chaim in particular.  She gave her only Hanukkah concert in 2009 as a fund-raiser for our synagogue.  In fact, it was the last Hanukkah concert Debbie ever did.  Shabbat Shira and Debbie Friedman’s yahrzeit – what other than music could be the cornerstone of such a Shabbat service!  The Service will be led by Allen Nadler, who will also give the derasha, not surprisingly, on the topic of music.  Our own hazzan, Jerry Berkowitz, will be joined by guest cantorial soloist, Michael Greenspan, to provide lots of beautiful music, including several Debbie Friedman songs.  Even our post-service Oneg Shabbat will have musical overtones:  Charlie Rube and Eduardo Garcia are sponsoring the Oneg in honor of the yahrzeits of Charlie’s parents, and his father was the renowned cantor, Sidney Rube.  Please join us for a special evening of prayer and remembrance given voice in uplifting song.