We All Have A Song (February 2014 KOL)
There are so many modalities in which to express our Judaism. For some it is song, others words or images, art or dance, and even poetry. As we prepared to celebrate Debbie Friedman’s yahrzeit, I wanted to connect her memory in a new way. We say Kaddish at every service, because remembering is such an important part of our Jewish kishke (Yiddish for “gut”). Music is a universal language. Memory is a divine gift of comfort, that transcends time and place. I pray that you are in a place where your song is heard and appreciated. I also pray that you can hear the music of those you have loved in our sanctuary and in the sanctuary of your hearts.
For all those who asked for this poem, and for those of you who may not have been there to hear it:
We All Have A Song
by Rabbi Amy R. Perlin, D.D. 1/10/13
Shabbat Shirah – For the Yahrzeit of Debbie Friedman
We all have a song,
Even the man in the sixth row who sings off key.
We all have a song from birth,
That courses life through our veins,
And helps our loved ones love us after we are gone.
And some people have a song they share
In the shower,
At a concert or a stadium
In a house of worship or
Music class.
Some people remember songs forever —
From a favorite commercial or TV program.
And some people love music, but can’t name one tune.
You may not even know your song,
But, wedding couples have them,
And little children, too –
About eentsy, beensty spiders and water spouts.
She had a song that transformed our prayer
And her music gave voice to our longing for healing and peace.
She inspired us to create new music for our time
For her short time, she was Jewish music.
Her songs are our songs.
And our loved ones, too,
Have music flowing inside them
The music of life and love
Together, we sing
For the time we have
With those we love…
And then they die.
But, music like the soul,
Transcends language and place,
Nationality, religion, and even political persuasion.
May her music live on through us.
May his music live on through me.
May our music continue to be about peace and love,
And life and death,
Forever. Amen.