Batya Friedman is in the business of connecting to the local Jewish community. And she knows that one of the best resources to learn about the people, places, groups and events of her community, and others across the tri-state area, is The Jewish Link.
Friedman was born and raised in Brooklyn. She graduated with a B.S. in mathematics from CUNY and an MBA from the University of Alberta, Canada, then worked in the financial field and headed a nonprofit startup to end homelessness in Edmonton.
Friedman worked as a rebbetzin in Canada and the U.K. and now works as a philanthropic advancement officer for the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, to bring engagement and awareness to the greater Teaneck/Englewood community. Her first big event was the Kosher Food and Wine Expo in Englewood in November. If you would like to get involved, please contact her at [email protected].
Her husband, Rabbi Daniel Friedman, writes The Transformative Daf series. They have five daughters: their eldest, who graduated from Azrieli and teaches in Brooklyn; a senior and freshman in Ma’ayanot, and two in Yeshivat Noam. They moved to the Teaneck area about a year ago and are members of Roemer (Congregation Keter Torah), where she was honored to teach Torah to the community on Shavuot, and also joined the CSS team.
The Jewish Link caught up with Friedman last week and she answered a few questions about her passion for the paper.
Do you read the Jewish Link every week?
Yes, if for whatever reason I can’t read it on Shabbos (due to guests or kids play dates) I make sure to catch up on Sunday morning!
What are your favorite sections of the paper?
I don’t have a favorite section. That’s what I love about the paper—the variety of sections and how each speaks to different aspects of our lives.
How do you interact with the paper?
I submit articles for the Federation, and share and discuss articles with friends and family.
What does the paper mean to you?
It’s about the robust, exciting Jewish life in the greater Teaneck area K’ah[1]. My kids, who never really read the newspaper, every week ask me if we received our copy. They, too, look forward to sifting through the pages (heading to the school section!)
Has the paper made a difference in your life?
Definitely—it allowed me to get to know the community at a faster pace, and it’s another outlet to engage our children in communal life.
By Harry Glazer
