Israeli singer-songwriter Bat Ella retraced the footsteps of her late friend singer Debbie Friedman by performing at Finchley Reform Synagogue (FRS) on the way to Limmud.

Debbie Friedman was a well-known American singer who popularised Jewish religious songs while touring extensively in the United States, where she met Bat Ella in the early 1990s.

After performing at FRS in December 2010, Debbie went on to Limmud and, shortly after leaving to the United States, fell ill suddenly and died of pneumonia on January 9, 2011. FRS was the last congregation she ever performed at.

Bat Ella, as well as performing some of the same songs Debbie sang at FRS in 2010, also led the evening’s Chanukah service and attended dinner with the congregation.

Speaking on stage, Bat Ella said: “For me to be here tonight is kind of like closing a circle. I’m so grateful to be here and to be walking in the footsteps of my friend.

“I first met Debbie 28 years ago, and she was a big part of me truly coming to terms with my Jewish and Israeli identity. She made me feel at home with my Judaism; to feel comfortable, proud, and even to fall in love with my Judaism.”

Bat Ella went on to Limmud the following morning where she presented two talks on the topics of “Debbie Friedman and I”, and “How religious music has gone mainstream in Israel” and performed at Limmud’s closing ceremony.

Cantor Zöe Jacobs of FRS told the JC: “Bat Ella brought her incredible energy and joy to FRS, ensuring we were singing and dancing all night, which was a total gift.

“FRS has an unusual connection with Debbie, as does Bat Ella, and it was wonderful to be brought together over such an inspirational person, on the same weekend Debbie was at FRS in 2010.

“Debbie Friedman changed the face of contemporary Jewish music, and for those of us for whom she was our teacher and our friend, it’s extraordinary to see that her music is still impacting the Jewish world so deeply. May we continue to sing in her footsteps with joy and gratitude for a very long time.”

Bat Ella

Bat Ella performs with FRS members and Cantor Zöe Jacobs (right)

Finchley Reform currently boasts a membership of over 2000 and offers year-round weekly services to its members.

Bat Ella’s personal manager, Moran Meir, told the JC: “It is so special for Bat to perform here in Finchley Reform, I can’t even tell you. Bat Ella now follows the path that Debbie laid out and to come to FRS, which is a very special place, is just really significant and a blessing.

“We encourage everyone to come to terms with their Judaism through music, in their own way.”

Bat Ella is best known for her five solo albums and for bridging the religious/secular music division in Israel through her own music and the translation of Debbie’s music to Hebrew. She will be going on a tour at Synagogues and venues across the United States in 2023.