February 15, 2023
A musician inspired by her Jewish faith stirred people who appreciated her music. Singer/composer/guitarist Debbie Friedman (1951-2011) was always passionate about music. Eventually, despite not knowing how to read music, she taught herself to play the guitar. A stint at an Israeli kibbutz convinced Debbie that Jewish music united people in joyful community, and she became determined to create music everyone could sing. She started composing songs, writing English lyrics translated from Hebrew prayers. While some people loved her songs, others were derisive, preferring "traditional Jewish music, just as we've always had!" and pointing out Debbie's lack of formal musical training. Debbie remained undeterred, however, and continued to delight her large audiences, who, as she had dreamed, came together through her celebratory music. This admiring picture book will be welcomed in public libraries and, especially, in Jewish school and synagogue-library collections. It brings to vivid life a singer/composer whose influence is still widely felt and whose songs are acclaimed throughout the Jewish musical world but who deserves to be even more widely known. The colorful illustrations are lively and expressive; the communal ideal Debbie yearned for is depicted through numerous group portrayals. Appropriately, musical notes float across many pages. Some Hebrew words appear with definitions but without pronunciation guidance. Debbie presents White; some background characters appear to be people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.) This tale bears the same timely message as its subject's music: Let's all unite in a spirit of community. (about Debbie Friedman, glossary, author's note) (Informational picture book. 5-9)
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