Rabbi Gerald Friedman
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Rabbi Friedman earned numerous awards and recognitions from the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, the Institute for Jewish Life and Senior Director status by National Hillel, plus a National Citation for Program Excellence for Jerusalem 3000. His Professional experience has run the gamut from Hebrew School Teacher to Instructor of Adult Jewish Education to Program Director of Jewish Ys and Centers to Director, Hillel Foundation and Jewish Chaplain, University of Florida for 21 years.
At Brooklyn College, he met and fell in love with Dora Geld, a Hebraist, Israel folk dancer and theater major. Both Friedman children, Shira and Akiva, were born in St. Barnabas Hospital, Livingston, NJ. Rabbi & Dora Friedman moved to Gainesville, Florida, where he became the Jewish Chaplain and she an Instructor of Hebrew Studies at the University, which grew into the Hebrew BA program. Together they brought to the University and surrounding communities a full array of religious, cultural, intellectual and social programs.
As spiritual leader of Temple Beth Sholom, Rabbi Friedman brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role as Rabbi.