Drisha is delighted to honor Rachel Friedman, a truly gifted teacher and scholar.

Descended from a long line of Chassidic rabbis and educators, throughout her life Rachel excelled in intellectual pursuits. She graduated summa cum laude from Barnard College, did graduate work at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and completed her JD at Columbia University School of Law. After practicing law for several years, Rachel returned to her first love, Jewish studies, and received an MA in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University.

Rachel’s dedication to Torah education led her to teach in Drisha’s Continuing Education, Beit Midrash, Talmud/Tanach and Scholars Circle programs. Her vision and her desire to make Torah available to all Jews regardless of their educational backgrounds motivated her to create the highly successful Yesodot Skill-Building Program. She is now Drisha’s Associate Dean and Chair of Tanach Studies. In her fifteen years at Drisha, Rachel has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people.

Rachel has previously taught at the Frisch School, the Ma’ayanot Adult Women’s Program and the Summer Beit Midrash Fellows Program of the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies of Yeshiva University. She has written many articles and co-authored the Joshua volume for Tanach Yomi. Rachel has also been a scholar in residence at numerous synagogues and educational institutions throughout the United States and abroad.

Rachel believes that leading a Torah life also means contributing her time and considerable skills to her community. She is on the Executive Board of Yavneh Academy, was founding chair of Yavneh’s Middle School Education Committee, and chairs the Education Committee at Torah Academy of Bergen County. Among numerous organizational involvements, she served on the Program Committee of the Orthodox Forum Conference on the Next Generation of Modern Orthodoxy.

Rachel is married to Allen Friedman, who partners with her in her important work on behalf of the Jewish community. Allen is Director of Tax Planning for JPMorganChase. Among other communal involvements, he has served as president of Congregation Beth Aaron and treasurer of the Orthodox Caucus. They have three children: Elie, Nava, and Yosie, and live in Teaneck, NJ.

Rachel has devoted her life and most of her professional career to Jewish education. Her teaching has nurtured a learning community that brings together people from all walks of life and all levels of observance. Thanks to her, students of all ages and backgrounds have been inspired and found their lives imbued with deeper meaning.

We have been blessed to have Rachel as our beloved teacher, advisor, role model, and friend. We pray that she will continue to bestow her considerable talents and gifts upon us for many years to come.