“When I left the seminary, I thought I would serve in a synagogue similar to the type of congregation in which I grew up: a thousand family synagogue with many professionals on staff.  But after serving in a small Jewish community in Wisconsin, my wife and I realized that it was the smaller and more intimate Jewish congregation that we wanted to serve in and raise our four children.”

Rabbi Friedland has done that and much more. Sadly, his Sinai tenure concludes in June 2026 when he will retire from official rabbinical duties. While Rabbi Friedland will attend to his scholarly research and grandchildren, as Rabbi Emeritus and just another member of the synagogue, he can be counted on to assist the incoming rabbi anyway that person needs or desires.

Rabbi Friedland is many things: friend, father, Chicago White Sox fan, scholar, community leader, and personal advisor.

Kind, compassionate, patient, and caring. Learned, thoughtful, considerate, wise, and with it!

“I believe the path that the Conservative/Masorti movement offers Jews in the multi-ethnic richness of the United States is especially meaningful. Conservatism gives the Jewish people the best opportunity to maintain our religious integrity while we share in our country’s religious and cultural diversity.” 

Rabbi Friedland earned his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and received his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary.  He earned his Doctorate of Hebrew Letters from Chicago’s Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership and is the recipient of a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa from JTS.  

He has been officially recognized as a Mentor Rabbi by the Conservative Movement’s Rabbinical Association for his exceptional work with rabbinical students.  Rabbi Friedland has always been involved in the wider community.  He has served as President of the United Religious Community and on the Core Executive Team of We Make Indiana, St. Joseph County., an assembly of diverse faith communities and people of conscience to make our region and state safer, healthier, and whole.

As a member of the Rabbinical Assembly committee on small congregations and isolated Jewish communities, Rabbi Friedland has spoken around the world about bringing innovation and development to small congregations.