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Senior Rabbi Search

Senior Rabbi Candidate: Rabbi Abe Friedman

Rabbi Abe Friedman was ordained by the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in 2010 and has served congregations in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pikesville, MD. He and his partner, Rebecca Krasner, are the parents of four children. A passionate teacher, Rabbi Friedman’s current learning interests include Hasidic spiritual teachings, classical Midrash, and the works of Rabbi Yitzhak Hutner.

In addition to his rabbinic studies, Rabbi Friedman holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management from the American Jewish University and an Executive Certificate in Faith and Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania.

Rabbi Friedman’s love of music finds expression in electric guitar and other instruments; in his live dance mixes as DJ Aluminum; and as the founder of Peddler Effects, designing and building boutique and custom effect pedals for guitar and other electric instruments. He also enjoys bowling, mini-golf, ice cream, cycling, hiking, and making chalk drawings based on the weekly Torah portion.

Rabbi Abe Friedman's Visit January 22 - 24

Thursday, January 22

  • 9:30 am: Torah Study led by Rabbi Friedman followed by breakfast and a coffee klatch, please register here.

Friday, January 23

  • 10:00 am: GECC Shabbat Sing with Rabbi Friedman & Cantor Kapell
  • 10:30 am: Schmear and Schmooze with GECC & Rabovsky RS Parents
  • 5:30 pm: Congregational Pre-Neg (Appetizers and Drinks)
  • 6:30 pm: Friday Night Shabbat Services led by Rabbi Friedman & Cantor Kapell

Saturday, January 24

  • 9:30 am: Shabbat Morning Services led by Rabbi Friedman & Cantor Kapell
  • 12:00 pm: Congregational Kiddush. Click here to RSVP.
  • 1:00 – 2:00 pm: Moderated Q&A Session – Please email cbtpotomac@gmail.com to submit a question for this session.

Letter from Rabbi Friedman:

Dear B'nai Tzedek Community,

I am truly honored by the invitation to spend a Shabbat with you this coming January.

Every Jewish community has its own unique spirit, and I am excited to get to know B'nai Tzedek. From everything I have heard, you are a warm and vibrant community, and I can’t wait to see for myself. Most of all, I look forward to meeting you personally and beginning to hear your stories. Each of us has charted our own course through Jewish life and I treasure learning from your different perspectives as we get to know one another. I hope you will introduce yourself as we cross paths during the weekend.

Until then, I wish you a peaceful new year and an invigorating start to January.

With blessings,

Rabbi Abe Friedman

Survey Results

More than 280 people participated in our focus groups and surveys representing over 42% of our membership units. Participants provided their vision of our future and highlighted the skills we value most for our next Senior Rabbi.  

The illustration represents our exciting vision of what we want to be thinking, feeling, and doing in the coming years as a congregation with our new Senior Rabbi.

The top 15 keywords and phrases for our vision of the future include Community, Education, Programming, Attract Young Families, Jewish, Pro-Israel, Youth Participation, Religious School, Family, Engaging, Tradition, Services, Inclusive, Synagogue, and Active.

Based on our recent focus groups and electronic survey, the top 6 valued skills for our next Senior Rabbi include Rabbi as: pastor; teacher; spiritual leader of worship; religious motivator; congregational leader; and inclusive leader.

 

Senior Rabbi Search Committee

Meet our Senior Rabbi Search Committee, comprising a broad cross section of our membership:

  • Michael Chernoff Co-Chair, RS, Board of Directors
  • Rachel Hyman, Co-Chair, Member at Large, BoD Executive Committee
  • Andy Chod, RS
  • Laura Cohen, GECC, RS, Board of Directors
  • Kevin Fishkind, RS
  • Dr. Jeff Greenberg, Member at large
  • Dr. Scott Gritz, Ritual, Member at large, GECC
  • Dr. Ruth Hoffman, Inclusion, Legacy, Board of Directors
  • Sam Lipson, GECC​​​​​​​
  • Laurie Mackey, Member at Large, Ritual​​​​​​​
  • Dr. Diane Snyder Steren, Sisterhood, Ritual, Board of Trustees, Past President​​​​​​​
  • Carole Urbach (Symonds) Herson, Legacy

 

Tue, February 10 2026 23 Shevat 5786