Debbie Friedman Kumsitz Photos

by Ethan Roberts

It was such an honor to be asked by my friend and our Cantor Tamar Havilio to photograph the Debbie Friedman Kumsitz, a sing-along at Bet Shalom on January 28, 2022 that will hopefully become an annual gathering to celebrate the life and work of Debbie Friedman, whose music is deeply embedded in Reform and Conservative Jewish services and celebrations.

Joining Cantor Havilio by speaking or performing were Rabbi David Locketz, Rabbi Jill Avrin, Rita Lusky, Shana Eisenberg, Cantor Joshua Fineblum, Cantor Rachel Stock Spilker, Hazzan Joanna Selznick Dulkin, Eric Bressler, Rabbi Tobias Moss, Cantor Wendi Portman Fried, Jesse Simon, Cantor Inbal Sharett Singer, Cantor Ben Tisser, Suzy Lurie, Cantor Jennifer Strauss-Klein, and members of Bet Shalom’s and other choirs.

My daughter Elsie and I so enjoyed this kumsitz, and it was wonderful that Elsie was invited to the bimah to help lead Havdalah. Clearly, Elsie’s many summers at Jewish camp as well as her time at our Shalom Yeladim preschool, as a student of our religious school, and as a madrich have allowed her to learn all of Debbie Friedman’s music.

Enjoy these photos! To see more photos from the kumsitz, please check out Ethan’s website.