David Friedman heads to the Mideast

Woodsburgh resident is U.S. ambassador

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Lifelong Five Towns resident David Friedman, whose father was an iconic rabbinical leader and who has dined with two U.S. presidents, is now the nation’s 20th ambassador to Israel since the Jewish state was established as an independent country in 1948.

The full Senate confirmed Friedman, 57, an Orthodox Jew and bankruptcy lawyer, on March 23. He grew up in North Woodmere and lives in the Village of Woodsburgh. Friedman was one of President Donald Trump’s two advisers on Jewish affairs during the presidential campaign. Trump nominated him in December to be envoy to Israel. After a confirmation hearing in February, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of his confirmation on March 9.

At his Feb. 16 confirmation hearing, Friedman said that he would aim to advance the U.S.’s interests by strengthening its relationship with Israel and labor “tirelessly” for peace and stability in the Middle East.

“I will bring to this mission a deep understanding of Israel’s history, culture, geography, commerce and politics, developed over a lifetime of study and at least 50 visits to this extraordinary country,” he said.

The new ambassador noted that his skill set was honed by 35 years in the legal field and that he had experience resolving multilateral disputes involving complex transactions. He is a principal at Kasowitz Benson Torres and Friedman, which has several offices, including one in New York. Friedman also said that he has “an unshakeable commitment to advance our national interests,” the ability to connect with Israelis and a strong familiarity with Hebrew.

That experience with the Jewish language and culture began early in life because Friedman is the son of the late Rabbi Morris Friedman, an iconic figure in the Jewish community, who was one of the founders of the modern Orthodox movement. Rabbi Friedman was the spiritual leader at Temple Hillel, a Conservative synagogue in North Woodmere. He hosted President Ronald Reagan when Reagan visited the Five Towns in 1984, at both his home and synagogue. Rabbi Friedman also served as president of the New York Board of Rabbis in 1975.

Five Towns resident Cindy Grosz said her longtime friend David Friedman is well suited to his new position. He is well read and will apply his meticulous nature, she said. “He also has had a connection with the executive branch, having dinner with two presidents,” Grosz said.

There was strong opposition to Friedman’s nomination from many Jewish leaders and organizations that perceive his views as extreme: wanting to move the capital of Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, questioning the viability of a two-state solution (creating a homeland for the Palestinians), supporting expansion of the West Bank settlements, and calling the liberal lobbyist group J Street group worse than “kapos,” Jews who supervised forced labor in the Nazi concentration camps.

Lawrence resident Shalom Maidenbaum has known Friedman for 30 years, and attended the confirmation hearing. He said that his friend demonstrated a “very ambassadorial” side during the hearing. “He was able to distinguish himself in the political arena as a Jewish advocate,” Maidenbaum said, “and an advocate for all of America on both sides of the aisle.”

Woodsburgh minyan member Alan Steinmetz, who knows Friedman from the prayer group, said he believes his friend to be a highly intelligent, thoughtful person with an in-depth understanding of the U.S.-Israel relationship. “He is a man of great compassion and vision,” Steinmetz said. “Someone who understands right and wrong and one who will likely bring to this position his creativity and desire and ability to enhance relationships and circumstances.”

There was an unofficial swearing in for family and friends at Friedman’s home on March 24. Vice President Mike Pence was expected to administer the oath of office on March 29.

Friedman, and his wife, Tammy, have been married for 36 years. They have five children and seven grandchildren.

Irving Kaminetsky, a member of Temple Hillel, worshipped under Rabbi Morris Friedman. “I love it,” he said of David’s new position. “He will be a great ambassador for America and Israel. [I’m] very proud of him.”

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