Farewell to Sam Friedman

Sam Friedman, Shalom Orlando's chief development officer, left the Central Florida Jewish community on Aug. 2 to begin a new position as the executive director & CEO of the Jewish Educational Alliance and Jewish Federation in Savannah, Ga. He will begin his new job Aug. 26.

Friedman moved to Central Florida in 2014 to take the position of director of community relations at Central Florida Hillel, under the leadership of Aaron Weil. In this capacity, Friedman built relationships with off-campus groups. In 2016 he was promoted to assistant director of CF Hillel and planned new programs, including the Salaam-Shalom program, a dialogue group that brought Muslim and Jewish student leaders together. Friedman explained to Heritage then that "such programs will further build community, fulfilling one of the tenets of the UCF Creed: 'I will promote an open and supportive campus environment by respecting the rights and contributions of every individual.'"

A strong believer in acceptance of other's differences, rather than tolerance, Friedman told the UCF newspaper, Central Florida Future, "We're better together when we know about each other. We like to say that America is a melting pot. I'd like to think we're more like a salad bowl. The ingredients are mixed together, but like people, they still have unique features and identities."

In 2018, Friedman said goodbye to CF Hillel and became the first director of Stetson University's Hillel. In this position, Friedman helped shape Hillel as the center of Jewish student life on campus and engage students in Jewish life, learning and Israel.

In 2022, Friedman turned his attention from college Hillel to the entire Jewish community as he became the chief development officer of Shalom Orlando.

Now, he will be bringing his vast talent to the Savannah Jewish community.

In an interview with Shalom Orlando, Friedman wrote:

"I was in 5th grade when the Governor of Florida and former Senator, Lawton Chiles, died in office. ... When he died, my elementary school principal had me read an address to the school about the death of the governor. In my piece, I read a quote from Governor Chiles that struck me then and continues to guide me now: 'I didn't come to stay. I came to make a difference.' With the benefit of a college degree in religion, I can see it as an obvious riff on the famous Ecclesiastes line - everything has its season.... 

"For 10 years greater Orlando has been my home. I met the love of my life here (a local Orlando girl!). I bought my first house here. I built deep and important friendships here. I have lived longer in Orlando than any other city in my life. And I can say with absolute certainty that my time in Orlando has been some of the best. 

"Even so, it is now time for me to make a difference in another community.

"Thank you, Orlando, for the opportunity. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for believing that the Jewish community is worth the effort, the stress and the financial resources. I will continue to believe in you, even from Savannah!