Jonathan Friedman has been named Temple Beth El’s first-ever Chief Operating Officer (COO). He began work on April 25.
“We were lucky to find Jonathan at this stage in his career when he was ready for a new challenge,” said TBE’s Board President, Benjamin Benson. “He wants to apply his passion, business skills, and know-how to the betterment of Jewish life in Charlotte. In uncertain times, he is the right leader to help our congregation build for a promising future.”
Previously, Friedman was general counsel for Lighthouse Lab Services and Diagnostics, a successful healthcare start-up, and a litigator for Skadden, Arps, a prestigious New York law firm. He attended UNC Chapel Hill and Columbia Law School.
Friedman and his spouse, Rachel, are TBE congregants, graduates of the Bernstein Leadership Class XI, and together co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’s “Super Sunday” fundraising event last year. Friedman also served on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and the Charlotte Jewish Preschool.
Friedman was among more than two dozen candidates considered by the COO Search Committee, which began its work in December. He was recommended based on his business acumen, keen intellect, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail.
Benson thanked the COO Search Committee, chaired by past presidents Moira Quinn Klein and Adam Bernstein, for their success in recruiting Friedman. Members were Benson, Rabbi Asher Knight, Eliza Carney, David Crane, Alan Kronovet, Joe Machicote, Derek Raghavan, Renee Sutker, Bobbie Ulanet, and Emily Zimmern.
“The search committee was extremely dedicated, and we could not have asked for a better outcome,” Benson said.
