at Aleh Foundation dinner
As a prominent Five Towns resident, an accomplished attorney, and a well-known supporter of Jewish causes, David Friedman is a popular choice for ambassador to Israel.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony J. Santino offered congratulations and warm wishes to David Friedman. “The Town of Hempstead is proud that one of our neighbors has been nominated as United States ambassador to Israel by the president-elect. David Friedman and his family have a long history supporting and strengthening the U.S.—Israel relationship both at home and abroad. My Town Board colleagues and I wish Ambassador-Designate Friedman the best of success in his upcoming United States Senate confirmation hearings. We are certain that he will serve our nation with distinction and never forget his local roots,” Santino added.
Friedman, a graduate of Columbia College and New York University Law School, is an attorney working out of Manhattan, but still lives in the Five Towns with his family. He grew up in Woodmere.
“David Friedman has been a valued member of our community for many years. An experienced legal professional with deep ties to the Jewish State, Friedman knows firsthand that the unbreakable bond between the United States and Israel runs deep. There’s no question that the ambassador-designate will strongly support maintaining our nation’s relationship with Israel, as well as their right to defend themselves,” said Councilman Bruce Blakeman.
“David Friedman’s strong relationships in Israel and here will be able to form the foundation of his diplomatic mission. They will be a tremendous asset to our country as the United States works for peace in the Middle East and stands with our greatest ally in the region, the State of Israel. We wish Ambassador-Designate Friedman much success with the Senate confirmation process,” added Councilman Anthony D’Esposito.
The father of Ambassador-designate Friedman, the late Rabbi Morris Friedman of Temple Hillel in North Woodmere, served as president of the New York Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Friedman had welcomed President Ronald Reagan to his Hempstead Town synagogue in 1984 and then to his home for lunch. It was the first time a United States President was received by an American synagogue since George Washington visited Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1791.
Supervisor Santino was in the synagogue during that history-making visit by President Reagan. Recently, to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of the Reagan presidential visit to Temple Hillel, Santino, Councilman Blakeman, Councilman D’Esposito, shul congregants, and others joined with Temple Hillel Rabbi Steven Graber for a special ceremony in 2014.
Earlier this year, Supervisor Santino and the Town of Hempstead joined a nationwide effort to oppose the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement which seeks to demonize and cripple the State of Israel with economic sanctions and boycotts. In fighting back against anti-Semitism and bigotry, municipal officials unanimously passed legislation prohibiting town government from engaging in business with individuals or companies openly boycotting America, Israel, and other U.S. allies. Friedman is also opposed to the BDS movement.
In a recent statement, NORPAC also congratulated David Friedman on his nomination. NORPAC noted, “His lifetime of pro-Israel advocacy has earned him the trust and respect of the Israeli people, a point which will enable him to best fulfill his duties in representing U.S. interests in Israel. Mr. Friedman’s background, experience, and extensive knowledge of Israel and the Middle East will be a great asset as he facilitates the relationship between America and Israel and implements the policies set forth under the Trump Administration as the American ambassador to Israel.”
The 30,000 friends of the Aleh Foundation throughout the United States applaud the choice as well. Aleh provides treatment, medical care, and special education classes and living quarters to more than 700 ranging from infants to adults, transforming their life to be accessible to therapies such as, physical therapy, art, and music. In the course of the years, Mr. David Friedman has been a staunch supporter and served as dinner chairman at several Annual Aleh Foundation Gala Dinners. Mr. David Friedman dedicated The Aleh Negev Residential Complex in loving memory of his illustrious father, Rabbi Morris S. Friedman, ob’m. Rabbi Friedman was born in Brooklyn and coming from the age during the Shoah, he determined, while still a teenager, to dedicate his life for the growth of the Jewish people, and to the rebuilding of Eretz Yisrael. David Friedman and his wife Tammy as well as their children attended many of the Aleh Foundation events and introduced Aleh’s work to many of his family friends and colleagues who joined them in their generous and philanthropic activities to support the disabled children in Israel. Dr. Jeffrey Tenenbaum, President of the Aleh Foundation, admired President Elect Trump’s brilliant vision to nominate such a genius for this post.
Bet El Institutions recently expressed its warmest blessings to David Friedman. Baruch Gordon, Director of Development for Bet El Institutions and IsraelNationalNews.com, noted, “Mr. Friedman has been a pioneer philanthropist and builder of Jewish institutions and housing projects in Judea and Samaria (AKA the West Bank) and throughout the country. His vital and valorous role in the rebuilding of Israel has earned him the trust and respect of the Israeli People, a key factor which will enable him to best fulfill his duties in representing U.S. interests in Israel. Bet El Institutions is proud to be closely associated with Mr. Friedman and wishes him much success in strengthening the historic ties between the United States and the state of Israel.”
