Cantor Florence Friedman
Temple Sinai's Cantor since 1999.
Cantor Friedman grew up in Hillside, New Jersey and her love of Judaism and synagogue music was influenced by her involvement at Temple B’nai Abraham, formerly located in Newark. While growing up at B’nai Abraham, she sang in a children’s choir of 60 voices that made two recordings. She also was an active member and held a leadership position in New Jersey Young Judaea. Cantor Friedman attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick and graduated with a BA in music in 1975, and Master’s Degree in Education in 1980.
Cantor Friedman served Temple Emanu-El in Edison, New Jersey from 1986 to 1999. She was certified as a cantor from Hebrew Union College and The American Conference of Cantors certified in 1999. Previously Cantor Friedman had a leadership role in organizing the URJ’s New Jersey-West Hudson Valley Reform Cantors. She has also served on the URJ’s Joint Commission on Worship, Music, and Religious Living. Cantor Friedman was a participant in Temple Sinai’s Synagogue 2000 team. In order to familiarize Temple Sinai’s congregants with old and new Shabbat melodies, and to commemorate Temple Sinai’s new building, in 2004 she recorded the CD, Coming Home for Shabbat-Coming Home to Temple Sinai. Cantor Friedman recently completed a 4 week retreat of cantors with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality.
Cantor Friedman is married to Loren Hurwitz, who has previously taught various grades in Temple Sinai’s Hebrew School as well as the Adult B’nei Mitzvah class. She has a daughter, Melissa, two stepchildren, Leora and Heath, and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, Yoga, biking, meditating, hanging out with friends, and exploring the wonders of nature.
