Friedman’s Meal After Swearing-In

By COLlive reporter

David Melech Friedman was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Israel by Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday.

Friedman, a bankruptcy lawyer, has worked with President Donald Trump and served as an advisor during his successful presidential campaign.

In December 2016, President-elect Trump’s transition team announced that he was Trump’s nominee for ambassador.

Despite opposition from liberal advocacy organizations, Friedman was confirmed by the full Senate on March 23 with a 52–46 vote.

An Orthodox Jew and fluent in Hebrew, Friedman wore a yarmulka on his head for the swearing in that took place in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House.

Family members, friends, administration officials, and Israel’s Ambassador Ron Dermer were present as Friedman placed his hands on a Tanach and “affirmed” the oath of office, instead of saying “swear” in accordance with halacha.

“David, you literally were born for this job,” Pence said. “It is because of families like yours that the Jewish people are such a beautiful thread in the fabric of this nation.”

Following the ceremony, Friedman along with his wife Tammy and their close friends and family, were received at the Chabad – Lubavitch Center in Washington, DC, by senior Shluchim Rabbi Levi and Nechama Shemtov.

They all enjoyed a wonderful dinner, organized by Rabbi Joel and Aviva Tessler, longtime friends of the Friedmans, currently residing in Ra’anana, Israel.

The Tesslers are formerly of Potomac, MD – where they served with distinction for decades as the rabbi and rebbetzin of Beth Sholom Congregation, one of the largest Modern Orthodox congregations in the US, which they built.

During the evening, Rabbi Shemtov presented Ambassador Friedman with a replica of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Rebbe in 1994.

Rabbi Shemtov described Ambassador Friedman as “a true humble servant, who has given up quite a bit personally to take this noble position.”

He added, “And on another note, from the interaction with Ambassador and Mrs. Friedman and many of the Five Towners who were there, it is obvious that Rabbi Zalman Wolowik is a Shliach with a rather amazing impact upon his community.”

A recent photo was shared on social media showing Friedman with Rabbi Wolowik praying at the Rebbe’s Ohel in Cambria Heights, Queens.