The collaborative efforts of the Jewish Community Center, numerous synagogues and local Jewish groups and institutions have resulted in a present we can all share—a Debbie Friedman concert on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. entitled, “One People One Community: Rebuilding Together.”  The concert will be held in the Mintz Auditorium at the Uptown Jewish Community Center, 5342 St. Charles Ave.

The concert is FREE and open to the public.  The evening will include a community menorah lighting, free dreidels, latkes, chocolate gelt, and best of all sufganiyot (the special jelly-filled doughnuts eaten in Israel). 

Singer songwriter and guitarist Debbie Friedman recently released her 20th recording of Jewish songs.  During her 35 years of writing and performing, her melodies have become an integral part of our Jewish liturgy.  Inspired by the great folk singers of the ‘60’s and '70’s, Friedman created a unique repertoire of prayer and song that is often heard in churches, schools, camps, and community centers, as well as synagogues. 

The Jewish Community Center is joined by the Anti-Defamation League, Anshe Sfard Congregation, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Gates of Prayer, Hadassah, Hillel, Jewish Children’s Regional Service, Jewish Endowment Foundation, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, National Council of Jewish Women, New Orleans Jewish Day School, Northshore Jewish Congregation, Shir Chadash Conservative Congregation, Temple Sinai, and Touro Synagogue in making Debbie Friedman’s New Orleans concert a reality for our community.   

In the spirit of Tzedakah, please bring a new toy (unwrapped) for underprivileged children. These will be distributed to underprivileged children in the New Orleans area by the Jewish Children's Regional Service.