Debbie Friedman z"l

I started this blog a little over a year ago with a post about my favorite piece of Jewish music.  In memory of Debbie Friedman, I would like to talk about my favorite piece of her music.  I love her Oseh Shalom, L'cha Dodi, and Shir Hama'alot, but I think my favorite is her Kaddish D'Rabanan.  I wouldn't normally choose a song all in English, but this one especially moves me.  The Aramaic prayer Kaddish D'Rabanan (The Rabbi's Kaddish) itself is said after one studies Torah in memory of our teachers who are in the yeshivah shel ma'alah.  I like how Debbie's tune starts out kind of somber and builds into a celebration of Torah.  Debbie Friedman was our teacher who taught us as liberal American Jews how to celebrate the Torah in song.  Here are her words for her Kaddish D'Rabanan:

For our teachers and their students,
and the students of the students,
we ask for peace and lovingkindness,
and let us say, Amen.

And for those who study Torah
here and everywhere,
may they be blessed with all they need,
and let us say, Amen.

We ask for peace and lovingkindness,
and let us say, Amen.