A Celebration of Rabbi Binyomin & Morah Dena Friedman hosted by Congregation Ariel
This is an opportunity to show our profound gratitude and
acknowledge a lifetime dedicated to Klal Yisroel and the entire Atlanta Jewish community. Rabbi and Morah Dena have nurtured our souls, helped us strengthen our connection to Hashem and created a spiritual home, Congregation Ariel, where each individual is seen, valued and loved.
This Gala Evening of Honor is more than a tribute. It is a
testament to the ripple effect of compassionate leadership-- a recognition that true community is built not in momentous declarations, but in countless acts of kindness, wisdom and unwavering commitment.
We have the privilege of expressing our deepest appreciation--not just with words, but with a celebration that reflects back the love they have so generously shared with us.
THE FRIEDMANS
- Rabbi Binyomin and Morah Dena Friedman have been our leaders at Congregation Ariel for the past 30+ years.
- They’ve inspired us to come closer to Hashem by connecting to Torah, sharing Shabbos as a community and growing as life-long learners.
- We've learned from Rabbi and Morah Dena that providing and receiving Shabbos and Yom Tov Hospitality is a mitzvah and a pleasure- a key to building close friendships that feel like family.
- We watched and learned from the Friedmans as they raised their beautiful children, Bracha Basya, Orah, Shayna Mera, Aryeh Leib and Chaim Yosef in Toco Hills and Dunwoody and then cared for their parents as well. And, we have been 'raised' and cared for by them too.
RABBI BINYOMIN FRIEDMAN
- Rabbi Friedman received a Bachelors and Masters of Talmudic Law from Ner Israel Rabbinical College. Rabbi Binyomin with Morah Dena arrived in Atlanta in 1987. As a native of Minneapolis, he refuses to wear a winter coat in Atlanta. Rabbi Friedman is one of the original founders of the Atlanta Scholars Kollel (ASK). In 1994 some ASK students requested Rabbi and Morah Dena Friedman to assume leadership of the newly formed Congregation Ariel in Dunwoody to which they agreed. Rabbi Friedman continues to teach Torah morning and evening in the Congregation Ariel Beis Medrash in addition to his many other rabbinic duties.
- As the Rav of our Kehilla, Rabbi Friedman has been a guiding force in creating and growing a community grounded in Torah observance.
- He has made it his mission to teach Torah morning, noon and night for the last 40 years in Atlanta. He established and continues to run a Men's Community Kollel that meets daily during the week.
- His counsel during times of simcha as well as sorrow, as well as his wisdom relating to everyday life is a chesed to us all.
MORAH DENA FRIEDMAN
- Morah Dena Friedman has been EVERYONE’s Kitah K teacher at Torah Day School for the past 37 years. Her teaching career spans more than 45 years.
- Morah Dena Friedman is the founder and director of Camp Shamayim for the last 36 years. She is beloved by her counselors who come from around the world to be a part of the Camp Shamayim experience. And generations of campers have spent their summers having fun while being infused with Torah values.
- Under her guidance, Morah Dena has been the Dunwoody Mikvah's primary 'Mikvah Lady' since it opened 16 years ago. Her dedication to meticulous observance of tarahara hamishpocha has inspired a whole generation of women to take on this mitzvah.