ForeverMissed
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Because we can't get together in person for Shiva and hear the stories about him from so many of you who knew him, it would comfort us greatly if you shared them along with any photos here. Thank you for all of your support.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I was fortunate to be one of Prof. Friedman's students at NYU. He's class was very insightful, challenging us to become better public relations practitioners and better people. Thank you so much, Prof. Friedman's.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Prof. Friedman was my professor in NYU. He was the best professor I met, and I loved his class so much. In the last semester in NYU he instructed me on my capstone, and he gave me so much advices, which are all inspiring. I remembered the last email he said, “You should be proudd of your work, it’s very nice woring with you.” I will never forgot all the help he offered to me, as well as his wisdom and humor.. Rest in peace.. I will miss you so much.

My deep condolences to Prof. Friedman’s family.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Itzie and I go back to 1970 when I was one year old. Shirley and my mother became friends in the bungalow colony and have been great friends since. I grew up in the Friedman household and Itzie and Shirley were like an aunt and uncle to me. 
Itzie was always kind and wise and could be counted on for sage advice and insight. 
Among some of my fond memories:
Itzie taught me how to ride a 2-wheel bike when I was about six years old. I went to hang out with Yisroel one Sunday afternoon. Itzie was teaching Yisroel how to ride and he asked if I wanted to try. He was supremely patient and in a short time I was coasting down Ave. N. on my own! I still remember him letting go as I sailed away. I was so proud and he let me know that he was too. Since that day I have spent many thousands of miles on my bike, riding to stay sane and healthy, and I am grateful to him for teaching me that wonderful skill. 
I remember Itzie taking me to Herman’s Sports at Kings Plaza, when I was 11, to buy a baseball mitt for my birthday. He let me pick “any one that you want” and I still remember the cool Ron Guidry mitt with Velcro, which was a big deal in 1980. 
Itzie hired me to intern at his PR firm when I was a senior in college. That was one of my first corporate experiences. It was hard to get any job in 1990 (recession) and he found a way to make room for me at KSCA. For that I am thankful.
Itzie was one of my Aidey Kiddushin and for that Nina and I are grateful. It was a real honor for us to have him participate in our wedding in that capacity.
Itzie was just a great person. His main focus was his family and he was always concerned about them. He was smart, caring, kind, learned. A real Mensch. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. 
May he be a Maylitz Yosher for his family and Klal Yisroel.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Professor Friedman was the best NYU has ever produced. I loved his class in my first semester and continued to take his class for the next semester as well.
He was a very tough professor, but I can say with confidence and pride, the knowledge and exposure I have in the field of crisis, is only because of him.
He introduced me to a friend of his, whom I now intern for.
Professor Freidman, you taught me so much, you set my career on track and I will forever be grateful to you.

Rest in peace and love. You were the best, Professor!
Take it easy up there...

My heartfelt condolences and prayers to your loved ones.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Prof. Friedman, I'm so grateful you were my Ethics class teacher. I will always remember your words and question myself all the time "Is it ethical?" in my future career. Your humor and wisdom really brightened me.
I will miss you so much.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
i did not know your husband and father well  but I did get to know him when we both joined Rabbi Weiders Talmud class at KJ on Sunday Mornings
and we have been studying together  for almost 6-7 years
It was a pleasure discussing Devrei Torah with him, he always had something to add
May his memory be for a blessing
Bonnie and Isaac Pollak

April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
On behalf of the Ruzhiner community in the Denver area, I know that we will all miss his participation with his terrific family at the DAT Minyan. 
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I miss you! I love you so much. I will always love you Zaidy and never forget you. I remember once you took me to the Statue of Liberty. We looked up inside but didn’t go to the top because I was scared.
Love,
Yoav
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Adam was a gift to this world. I had the pleasure of meeting him as he was one of our AIPAC donors. He loved Israel so deeply that when we would meet for breakfast or coffee we would speak for hours about Israel, religion, history, politics- the whole works! Adam was pure. He was modest. His value system was so honorable. My heart breaks thinking that Adam has completed his mission in this world and that now Shirley and the kids must continue forward and live out his legacy. I love you all. I will carry Adam's name with me throughout my time in this world. Baruch Dayan Haemet. Thank you Adam for bringing so much light into my life. Till we meet again my friend.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Thank you all for all the beautiful stories and memories. We are all comforted by reading through them.

Among his many other talents and attributes, my Dad had a fantastic flair for writing and his passion for topics that were near and dear to his heart came across in these two articles he recently published:

The Lights of Hannukah Are Dimming, NY Daily News - Dec. 17, 2019
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-the-lights-of-hannukah-are-dimming-20191227-wj7ovo426jfafd26m3chkrwzzu-story.html


Taking Inventory Before You Retire, Library of Professional Coaching - April 10, 2013
https://libraryofprofessionalcoaching.com/applicationsuses/personal-life-coaching/taking-inventory-before-you-retire/
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
When you first met Yitz, you were struck by his elegance. Yitz didn't just wear clothes- he WORE clothes. But very quickly, you learned that was only the very first layer. Yitz was a self-made man in all the best meanings of the word. He loved travel. He loved literature. He loved art. But he wasn't brought up with them. Because he loved them, he made sure that he acquired the knowledge to go along with it. And as usual, his taste was impeccable. But he was also a very traditional, religious man. He loved davening for the amud. He loved being part of the Rizhiner Haisidic clan. At the Young Israel of New Rochelle, he loved standing on a chair and doing "aderes v'emunah" until he couldn't talk. He liked to feel he was bringing Brooklyn to New Rochelle. He even loved wearing his crazy kapute. That union of modern and tradition was really what Yitz was about and he was able to pull it off. He was madly in love with Shirley and extremely proud of and close to all his boys. Later in life, he became a hiker and biker which I think was part and parcel of his love of beauty and the great outdoors. I know a second after I send this, I will think of things I should have said and I will be sad because I know I could keep going on and on. People often say- "he was unique" but in this case, it really is true. Yitz was unique- he worked at it and he deserves to claim it
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I want to share my most deep condolences to Shirley, Yisroel, David, and Joseph and all of Adam’s family. I have had the privilege and pleasure of working for Adam and his PR firm for the past two plus years. I have not only learned so much professionally from Adam as a business mentor, but I have also been touched by his kindness and generosity on a personal level, as well as his sense of humor. He was always extremely supportive of me and genuinely caring and interested in how my family was doing, as some were experiencing health issues during my time working with Adam. I will certainly miss his professional wisdom and guidance, but I will especially miss my personal interaction with Adam and his generous and caring spirit.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
Dear Joe and Family,
I met Adam Friedman only twice - an unforgettable mench.

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

Allan Leicht
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I knew Adam briefly through his kind and beautiful wife Shirley. My heart breaks for Shirley and his children and grandchildren. May they know no more sorrow and may his neshama be embraced by Hashem.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I had the pleasure of Shirley and Yitz as houseguests on many a simcha. My favorite times were the mornings when Yitz and I would have a cup of coffee together. I would ask him hundreds of questions, mainly about life in New York, and he would dutifully suffer my interrogation like the true mensch he was. Later, we would go to shul. I'd be dressed like a typical zhlub and he would be impeccably dressed. The combination of looking right and acting right is an all too rare asset in this world. May we all learn from Yitz.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I met Adam five years ago when he started helping me promote my first book. That book would not have been published without Adam’s incredible efforts. Adam’s good humor, kindness and deep commitment to the project meant so much to me. I enjoyed talking with him a great deal and learning from the wealth of knowledge and experience that he used to help others. I’m so sad that he has passed but I’m comforted from having just seen him at a book talk he arranged for me. He was a good man and will be missed. Deepest sympathy to his wife and sons. Let’s all try to bring some of Adam’s energy, kindness and devotion to a job well done into our lives.
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
When Yitz lived in New Rochelle on Silver Birch, I used to pick him up to go to the train station in the morning, if he did not have his car available. The discussions we used to have about Torah, family, life, business, etc. were memorable. I was upset when he decided to sell his house and move to Manhattan, because I knew that I would miss those rides with him on Metro North.

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
"May God comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020
I've been lucky to meet Yitz on his many visits to Denver and have many memories. Here's one: Benjamin and Noa were just born and there was a Shalom Zachor at Joe and Andrea's. I don't live in the 'hood' and so rarely go out on Friday night as it is a long walk, but decided to stop by. I biked over in jeans and a sweatshirt. When I got there, everyone was in their finest Shabbat clothes and I was very under-dressed and felt a little out of place. Yitz saw me and gave me a huge smile and warm embrace, and joked that I was the smartest one to come in such comfortable clothes, and he wished he had thought to do the same. That was typical - warm, smiling, funny and kind. May his memory be a blessing. 
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
Approximately 10 years ago, Arinn and I were privileged to host the Friedman family for Seder in Denver, Colorado. We had gotten to know Dovid, Cheryl, Joe and Andrea quite well, but we still didn't know Yitz and Shirley very well. Our Seder was quite traditional as we followed the Haggadah from the first page to the last, but we added a few non-traditional items along the way to keep the kids interested and engaged. I'll never forget looking down the long Seder table at Yitz, in his regal, white kittle, and quite seriously studying his Haggadah, when I took a detour and belted out "The Ballad of the Four Children, " sung to the ever-popular "Oh My Darling, Clementine!" Let's just say that I certainly didn't feel like the wise son by the time I finished and looked up at Yitz who appeared somewhat dazed and confused. Clearly this was not NYC! Rather, it was truly the wild west and somehow his children were choosing to raise their families surrounded by people like me. . .  I do think we made an incredible recovery as we always shared a laugh, a hug and a great conversation when he and Shirley would come to Denver to visit their children and grandchildren.
Yitz was a wonderful, caring man and a role model for me as he often talked with me about his love for his family, and especially his precious grandchildren.  Arinn and I will miss Yitz, but we feel so fortunate to have known him and we will always cherish our wonderful memories of his visits to Denver.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
I had the privilege of sitting next to Yitz most Friday nights at Ralbag over the past 4 years. I always enjoyed davening next to him, and each week as I'd watch him learn the parsha I could sense that this was a unique, holy time for him. On the occasions when my preschool age daughter would not join me at shul he'd always make a joke inquiring where my sidekick went. I will miss his presence at shul; may his memory be for a blessing.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
In late 2012, Dovid and I were working on a marketing and messaging project for an Israeli company. After being vetted appropriately by Dovid, he introduced me to his Dad to help the company with PR. At that time I had never run a global PR campaign and certainly did not have any background in managing PR or evaluating PR for a global entity. Yitz spent over 3 hours with me over two days helping me at least begin to understand how to evaluate and think through global PR campaigns. In the end he decided that the opportunity was not the right fit for his firm, but over the next several months he continued to check in and offer advice and support. Without his direction I would not have been able to pick the right firm to work and succeed with. Yitz would from time to time after that email me to check in on life, his boys, and our shul. He even made a very generous donation to our shul Megiillat Esther fund. His generosity, warmth, and thoughtfulness will always remembered. He will be missed and remembered always. May his memory be a blessing.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
How to write a tribute about a wonderful person who radiated warmth and kindness? Adam would have had the answer. 

As I type now, I can't help but think about how he would have critiqued -- in a nice way -- my opening sentence. We were colleagues who enjoyed talking about our beloved financial services PR profession and how others didn't do it the right way! We would get together for lunch and check on each other, too. 

Our friendship started about four or five years ago, when he welcomed me to his "row" at Congregation KJ. From the start, he was kind, gracious and just a lovely person. 

What I will remember most is Adam's wonderful smile. It will always be a part of me, and what a privilege to know this mensch.

Amy and I wish Shirley and the entire family much comfort during this very difficult time. May Adam's memory always be a blessing. Miss you very much, my friend.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
Yitz was a true friend and indeed a true gentleman. However he was much more than that. He was a giver. I shall always recall how helped fellow YINR members and non-members find jobs in the wake of the 2008/09 financial crisis. A very special man who will be sorely missed.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
There are many great things to say about Unlce Itzy as we called him. To me he was a great uncle in both senses of the word. The one thing that sticks out in my head about him was how enthusiastically he danced at my wedding. I got married about 2.5 years ago and when it was his turn to dance with me I vividly remember him dancing with so much feeling and happiness. It seemed it was his wedding not mine. He danced more energetically then most people half is age. When i think of my wedding that is one of the first thoughts that pop into my head. It is one of the highlights of my wedding . Thats who he was. He will be missed but never ever forgotten.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
We met Adam about 7 years ago at a New Year’s Eve party, when, Shirley and Adam first moved to the upper east side. We immediately felt how much he could offer to the KJ community and encouraged him to join KJ.
In the last few years, we got to know how special, unique and giving he was. His knowledge and interests covered such a broad range of subjects.
His dvar Torahs , which were so in demand, were so much more than dvar Torahs . They were an analysis of everything that, the particular parsha could relate to. He related his thoughts with so much enthusiasm and that enthusiasm was contagious.
He visited us and many others whenever there was a medical issue.
His expression lit up with an unforgettable
broad smile when he heard our grandson relate his comments about a parsha on a Friday night at our house. We were blessed to know him and will deeply miss him.
Anne and Natalio
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
Yitz and I were old-timer YINR shul buddies. Anytime he came to visit recently, Yitz would smile when he saw me and pull me in for a warm handshake hug and ask for my family's well being. Yitz was a delightful person whose warmth and genuine goodness filled the room. His stories were wonderful and I recall in particular the story of his hunt for the kiddush cup of his chassidic ancestor. Miriam and I extend our deepest condolences to Shirley, Yisroel, David, and Yosef and their extended families. May you be comforted by your cherished memories of Yitz and his legacy of kindness.
Ira Parness
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
I only knew Yitz for about 2 years having met him at the 77 street shul. I had a number of occasions to walk home in his direction on quite a few friday nights after shul. Yitz was always interested in what I was doing , my work, my life. He was a gentleman of the highest order. I will miss our friday night post-shul walks. My condolences to his family.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
I left my story on another tab. I will miss him very much. He was a very special person whom we shall all miss mightily.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
On Simchas Torah at the Kingsway Jewish Center in the 1960’s, Yitz and I, together with Dennis and Kenneth Prager, Lenny Feiner and Mitchell Chill used to dance together with the Torah.
Yitz was always enthusiastic and entertaining. His winning smile and modesty were inspiring. We met again at the Young Israel of New Rochelle. His appearance and enthusiasm was still youthful. We hugged!
May his memory be a blessing and his innumerable acts of chesed an example to us all.
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
Adam was a good friend and most significantly a wonderful person. He was always encouraging, determined and grateful to and for others. It is my honor to have been part of his life both personally and professionally. And while I mourn him at this time , the Adam I know will always live on as part of my memory of him
April 13, 2020
April 13, 2020
My memories of Yitz Friedman are many. He loved to share Torah in the shtibel on 77th street in NYC. He was a wonderful shliach tzibbur and loved to schmooze with fellow yidden. On the occasion of his parents’ yharzeit, Mr. Friedman shared fond memories of his parents and combined it with beautiful torah words.
He was extremely proud of his children and their accomplishments.
I already miss him.
תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים
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Recent Tributes
February 20, 2022
February 20, 2022
I still miss dear Yitz, my chavruta. May his memory continue to be a blessing for all who knew and loved him
February 20, 2022
February 20, 2022
I miss seeing Yitz and hearing his divrei torah. He lives on in my memory always.
May his neshama have an Aliya. 
Recent stories
April 25, 2020
I was so saddened to hear the news about your beloved husband and father.  Yitz was a shining light at Shul! I remember how Brian enjoyed their talks at kiddush and talking about their great outdoor adventures. Seeing your new home on the east side was a treat over a shabbat in July a few summers ago.   I started to read the Exodus in honor of Yitz this past shabbat    His love for Israel and his dedication and guidance for his family were exemplary for all !!

Decades of Remembrances: A Trubute

April 22, 2020
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years. 
Abraham Lincoln

As a long standing friend of Shirley and Itzie I had the pleasure and privilege of knowing Itzie for almost 5 decades.  We became acquainted in the summer of 1971. They had their Yisroel, who was 18 months and I had my two children, Tobi and Yitzi. Little did we know at the time that our friendship would span nearly half a century. 

There are a plethora of memories — too many to mention here—but when I reflect back at what is most salient—I would have to say it was the Shabbosim spent at Shirley and Itzie’s home in Brooklyn, New Rochelle and Manhattan. Their home always exuded the beautiful spirit of Shabbos. Itzie’s erudite and interesting d’vrei Torah were a joy to listen to—always engaging and intelligent   The conversation at the table, was vibrant and the topics, varied. Itzie was so incredibly knowledgeable about a multitude of things and when he shared his insights, it was always articulate, perceptive and astute. As their guest, it was a true delight for me. I got to know their friends and it was obvious how admired and beloved they were, both individually and as a couple. It was a pleasure to be enveloped in their world.  

When I was moving from Brooklyn to Manhattan in 1998, there was a 3 month interval between selling my home and the completion of construction on my apartment. I was prepared to take a sublet in Manhattan for the interim, but Shirley and Itzie  would not hear of it and insisted I stay in their guest room. The New Rochelle guest room, which served as Itzie’s work space, and in spite of that, he graciously and warm heartedly relinquished it to me,  Those were a magical 3 months spent at the Friedman home. This enormous kindness, extended to me by Shirley and Itzie, with such love and hospitality, will never, ever,  be forgotten. 

This is just a mere snippet from a multitude of memories. Itzie embraced life with both arms, and all its many facets — his family, his work, Torah and learning, helping others, traveling, art, biking, running, reading, music — and is a shining and exemplary example of putting so much life in his years. 

He will be dearly missed!
With love,
Edith

From a verrry old friend!

April 20, 2020
Itzie (yeah that we called him) was my very first friend. Growing up together in Brooklyn. Itzie lived on East 17 off Caton Avenue and I lived on Ocean Avenue and Caton. Our families davened in the Young Israel of Prospect Park (even before it became a Young Israel. 

From ages 5 and up were inseperable. We sort of drifted apart when we attended different Yeshivas.

Itzie was quick to laugh at my jokes and he was really smart... certainly smarter than me. We did play sports ...but that wasn't so much his thing. It sure was for me.

We did reconnect at least twice a year. I'd wish him mazel tov on his Bar Mitzvah (Terumah) and he in turn would send good wishes for mine (Eschanan). We did that as recently 2 months ago. 

This was an incredible loss and I'm still reeling from it. He was lovely guy and for a most important part of my life he was my very best friend. May his memory be a blessing for all of you. 

Israel, I can tell you that you and your siblings are fortunate to have a genetic connection with my friend Itzie.

willy


 

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