Rabbi Abe Friedman found his love of Jewish community as a camper, counselor, and Rosh Edah (Division Head) at Camp Ramah in Palmer, Massachusetts. His rabbinic work focuses on community engagement, Jewish learning, and spiritual counseling. He expresses his love of music through electric guitar, piano and the occasional DJ set. He is also the founder of Peddler Effects, designing and building boutique guitar effect pedals.

Originally from Atlanta, Abe lived in Israel for a year as part of USY’s Nativ Leadership Program before attending Boston University. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies at Los Angeles’ American Jewish University, where he also earned an MBA in Nonprofit Management. He currently lives in Philadelphia with his partner, Rebecca Krasner, and their four children: Odelia, Azzi, Yonah, and Miri. Abe has served as Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel’s Senior Rabbi since 2015.