Mrs. Friedman was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. In 1978 she emigrated to the United States. Her career has involved her in both the advertising world and the restaurant business. After arriving in Los Angeles in 1991, she joined Stephen S. Wise Temple as secretary to Rabbi Leah Kroll, assisting her in the running of the Social Action Committee. In 1993, Mrs. Friedman became Registrar of all of the Stephen S. Wise Temple schools. She is now Administrative Assistant to the Director of Education.