IM TIRTZU…………………
February 20, 2011 by Herzl Camp Admin, under General Posts.
By Lois Amdurski Butwin
Did you know that the beloved tune to the “ Im tirtzu…..” that we sing at Herzl was written by Debbie Friedman? Yes, THE Debbie Friedman!
Back in the day, during the early to mid 60’s, there were 2-3 girls hired as babysitters for Hanhalah with young children, volunteer doctors’ children, etc. In 1967 or 1968, Debbie Friedman was one of those babysitters. I have no idea what the criteria were for choosing Ozrim at that time or even how many applicants there may have been each year. What I do know is that Debbie Friedman, THE Debbie Friedman, was not chosen to be an Ozeret and
was hired as a babysitter instead. OY!!!! I sure am glad I was Ozo age back then and didn’t even understand what the Board of Directors did, let alone how ozrim, staff, etc. were selected.
Sadly, Debbie Friedman, THE Debbie Friedman passed away last month. I got a call from my step-sister in LA asking me if I thought she was the same Debbie she remembered from Herzl in the 60’s. Unfortunately, she was. Having known Debbie in her babysitting days at camp, I was very excited when she began her career as a songwriter, singer and inspiration to so many people during her lifetime. I think her first album was “Sing Unto God.” When I was Mama Ozo in 1973, I had the vinyl album, and we sang some of those songs as part of our Ozo Shabbat that summer. It was a spiritual experience for everyone. Some of the campers and staff were familiar with the music from their home synagogues and others experienced Debbie’s music for the first time at Herzl.
Debbie was a very friendly, spirited and warm person. Whenever she performed in the Twin Cities, I went to the concerts. I brought my children when they were younger or went with friends and my husband. Debbie always had an extra minute before she left the venue to greet family and friends from when she had lived here. She had the ability to make each person feel important and special and that she was genuinely happy to see them again. I made sure to let her know that “her” Im Tirtzu is what was sung and loved at Herzl now. She lit up and thanked me for letting her know. Even though she was not accepted as an ozo way back when (Editor’s note: That’s akin to Michael Jordan’s coach cutting him from his freshman basketball team, isn’t it? As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, “Big Mistake. Huge”), she did have a soft spot in her very big heart for Machaneh Herzl.
Im Tirtzu Ain Zo Agadah, if you will it, it is no dream. Debbie’s spirit will live on in all of our hearts and minds whenever we sing prayers to the tunes she created.
Shalom, my friend.