Rabbi Herbert Friedman Assumes Office As U.J.A. Executive Head

Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman one-time assistant adviser on Jewish affairs to the Commanding General of the U.S. occupation forces in Germany and Austria, assumed office today as the new executive vice-chairman of the National United Jewish Appeal, succeeding Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz. He will be formally installed this Sunday at the final session of a two-day national UJA conference in Washington.

Regarded as one of the country’s most dynamic Jewish spiritual leaders and orators, Rabbi Friedman comes to the UJA from the pulpit of Congregation Emanu-el B’nei Jeshurin in Milwaukee, one of the largest Reform congregations in the United States. Prior to coming to Milwaukee in 1952, he served as rabbi of Temple Emanuel in Denver.

Rabbi Friedman has shared in the top-level leadership of the UJA for eight successive years, both as a member of its National Campaign Cabinet and in the past two years as national chairman of its speakers division. He has represented the UJA in discussions with leaders of the Israel Government and the Jewish Agency, has conducted surveys for the UJA in Europe, Israel and North Africa, and has been one of its most effective campaigners in rallying public support.

In taking office today, Rabbi Friedman hailed “the great record of my predecessors in mobilizing nearly one billion dollars over the past 17 years for the sustenance, rescue and rehabilitation of hundreds of thousands of victims of war and oppression.” He termed their work “monumental in the strengthening of human freedom” and lauded them for their “devotion to Jewish rehabilitation and the building of Israel.”

He added. “I am deeply honored by the opportunity that is now mine to extend this superb record. But I am grateful most of all that I shall be part of one of the finest groups of men and women ever to lead this greatest of Jewish philanthropic causes. Mr. Rosenwald and his associates have my most profound admiration and respect as the most loyal and devoted servants of humanity I have ever known. I pledge to all the friends of the UJA, and to all who depend on it, the fullest dedication of my mind, spirit and energies.”