cover story
Organizations welcomes the stranger
T By Haydee M. Rodriguez
he list of organizations
Alyson Friedman has been
involved with is long: Beth El
Congregation of Philadelphia, CHANA,
the Jewish Women’s Giving Foundation
and Art with a Heart, among others.

On Thursday, at The Federation
of Jewish Women’s Organizations of
Philadelphia’s 104th Annual Convention,
Friedman was recognized with the E.B.

Hirsh Lifetime Achievement Award. The
organization also honored women in
the community with the Women Who
Welcome Awards. This year’s theme
was Welcoming the Stranger. The
event’s guest speaker was well-known
immigration attorney, Sheela Murthy, of
Philadelphia-based Murthy Law Firm.

18 AUGUST 26, 2021 | JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
Friedman was selected by a
committee made up of past Federation
presidents, while the other recipients
were nominated from each of
the federation’s 26 constituent
organizations, said Marcia Bornfriend,
president of the federation.

Friedman is an active volunteer in
the community and currently serves
as co-chair of marketing for Na’aleh:
The Hub for Leadership Learning at
The Associated: Jewish Federation of
Baltimore. “I involve myself in projects and
organizations I feel passionate about
and where I think I can make an
impact,” Friedman said. “Being
recognized for my hard work, time and
Vector art; Shomiz/DigitalVision Vectors/Gett y Iamges
PHILADELPHIA



David Stuck
dedication to causes I believe in is like
icing on the cake. I am especially proud as
a Jewish woman who believes strongly in
advancing women in leadership roles in
our society. Whenever I can take part in
lifting up other women, sign me up.”
The E.B. Hirsh Lifetime Achievement
Award recognizes an individual for “giving
their time and talents to the community,”
Bornfriend said. It is named for the
federation’s past president, Eleanor Betty
“E.B.” Rosenthal Hirsh, who served from
1963-1965, and who was also president of
Philadelphia Hebrew Congregation, one of
many volunteer leadership roles she held.

E.B. Hirsh is listed in the Jewish Museum of
Maryland as having helped to preserve the
Lloyd Street Synagogue.

“Receiving this honor in the context
Alyson Friedman,
the recipient of
this year’s Lifetime
Achievement Award, is the
marketing co-chair of
Na’aleh: The Hub
for Leadership
Learning. JEWISHEXPONENT.COM
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