Rabbi Elisha Friedman
Rabbi Elisha Friedman began serving as the Rabbi of Young Israel of Forest Hills in July of 2022. Previously, he served for six years as the Rabbi of Kesher Israel Congregation in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he spearheaded the construction of a new Shul building and led the revitalization of an older, historic community. He served for two years as Rabbinic Intern at Congregation Adereth El in Manhattan. He is thrilled to be back in a large, vibrant Jewish community with incredible resources to offer, and working in a Shul with a hugely diverse spectrum of members, including older families, younger couples, Sephardim and Asheknazim.
Rabbi Friedman was ordained at Yeshiva University and is completing a PhD in modern Jewish philosophy from YU's Bernard Revel Graduate School for Jewish Studies. Outside of his classes and lectures at the Young Israel, Rabbi Friedman does extensive podcasting, with the goal of making Torah ideas more accessible. He is at work on a Sefer of Rav Eliezer Silver's Torah ideas. Rabbi Friedman is warm and personable, he enjoys making jokes from the pulpit when they don't fall flat, and looks forward to being in touch with our members and anyone else who reaches out!
Rebbetzin Yamit Friedman works in grant management at The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, a Harrisburg-based community foundation. She holds an MPA and previously taught in NYC charter schools. The Friedmans are blessed with three children: Eden, Tania and Emanuel. They are thrilled to be part of the Queens Jewish community and the Young Israel of Forest Hills family.