Clergy

Maharat Ruth Friedman

Maharat Friedman is a member of the inaugural class of Yeshivat Maharat, which is the first institution to ordain Orthodox women as spiritual leaders and halakhic (legal) authorities.  She and her husband Yoni moved to Washington, DC in July 2013 to begin her position as Maharat at Ohev Sholom - The National Synagogue®.

Maharat Friedman’s responsibilities include overseeing the conversion program, supervising the operation of the community mikvah, directing adult education, providing pastoral counseling, teaching in the community, and more.

Maharat Friedman is deeply committed to working to ensure that Jewish communal structures provide sensitivity and support to individuals and couples struggling with fertility challenges, and she is honored to serve on The Red Stone Advisory Committee. 

She is a proud member of both the Chicago and Washington Boards of Rabbis, and sits on the Executive Committee of the board of the International Rabbinic Fellowship, of which she is also a member.  Maharat Ruth is also a founding member of the Beltway VAAD. She and Yoni are the proud parents of two boys, Ezra and Joe "Bear", baby girl Evie, and their rambunctious shiu tzu, Cocoa.

Maharat Friedman can be reached by emailing MaharatRuth@ostns.org or by calling (202) 882-7225, ext. 107.