As a young girl, I walked to shul at the Alliance every Saturday morning on Colfax and Meade with my Bubbie until the HEA moved to Stuart Street. I continued going to services every Saturday morning by meeting my friends on West Colfax and walking to rest of the way to shul together. I attended religious school and Sunday school and celebrated my bat mitzvah and Confirmation at the Alliance. I still fondly remember coming to Sunday school at the Alliance, where Rabbi Laderman and the teachers all called me Debbie (as my maiden name was Debber). I enjoyed listening to Rabbi Laderman’s sermons on Saturday and discussing what we learned from his words of Torah together with other students. The HEA has always been my second home, a place where I am comfortable and a place that is full of memories and hopes for me.  Â
I was married by Rabbis Laderman and Goldberger in 1964. I even danced with Rabbi Goldberger with a napkin high up on a chair in the air. Our family has had many lifecycle moments with all the rabbis of HEA for five generations; my family was blessed to be raised surrounded by HEA rabbis. Six of our eight grandchildren attended preschool at the Alliance. Â Â
I came to work at the HEA in 1997 after I saw an ad in the paper seeking a Greeter and Receptionist. I still remember the butterflies I felt in my stomach when Neal Price called me to offer me the job. I was so excited. I got to be the first person that members saw when they entered the HEA. I was asked to be Rabbi Dollin’s Assistant a few years later. I am proud to have supported Rabbis Dollin, Katzen, Gruenwald, and Shulman, as well as Cantor Marty and Eitan Kantor, over the last several decades. This August will mark 27 years that I have served the HEA. It gets me up in the morning and is a happy place to go. I love interacting with the congregants and staff and being the “voice” on the other end of the phone for you all. Â
What I have learned in my time at HEA is that the most important part of my job is to truly listen and be understanding for our congregants. A few months ago, I lost the love of my life, Don Perlmutter. He grew up at Temple Emanuel, but he always felt welcome here and he enjoyed being with my friends and the staff at HEA. In later years, he was especially fond of attending Azamra with the music and community. Don always cherished the siddur that Neal Price gave to him to help follow along in services. I am so grateful to the staff and morning minyan group for supporting me after Don’s passing, as well as to our Torah readers and others who have always accepted when I asked them to support our services. Â
You have always been there for me. And I have always been here for you. I look forward to continuing to be here for anyone who needs me. I am grateful to Rabbi Shulman, Evan Kline, and Caryn Osterman for extending my position into the New Year and supporting the continuation of my HEA journey. Along my journey, I have resonated with the words of Debbie Friedman in her beautiful song L’chi Lach:Â
L'chi lach, to a land that I will show you Leich l'cha, to a place you do not know L'chi lach, on your journey I will bless you And you shall be a blessing, l'chi lach Â
As your HEA journey continues, I want you to know that I am just a phone call away if you need anything. May we build even more memories together.Â
