David M. Friedman
| David M. Friedman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| United States Ambassador to Israel | |
|
Assumed office May 15, 2017 |
|
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Dan Shapiro |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David Melech Friedman August 8, 1958 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Tammy Sand (m. 1981) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education |
Columbia University (BA) New York University (JD) |
David Melech Friedman (born August 8, 1958) is an American bankruptcy lawyer and the United States Ambassador to Israel. He joined the law firm Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman (then known as Kasowitz, Hoff, Benson & Torres) in 1994, where he met and represented Donald Trump, then chairman and president of The Trump Organization. He served as an advisor to Trump during his successful presidential campaign. In December 2016, President-elect Trump's transition team announced that Friedman was Trump's nominee for ambassador. His nomination was met with support from conservative Israeli and Jewish American activist groups, and opposition from liberal advocacy organizations, particularly J Street. He was confirmed by the full Senate on March 23, 2017, with a 52–46 vote, officially sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on March 29 and presented his credentials on May 15.
Friedman was one of four children born to Morris S. Friedman and Addi Friedman and grew up in North Woodmere, New York. His middle name, Melech, means "king" in Hebrew. His father was a rabbi at Temple Hillel, a Conservative synagogue in North Woodmere, and served as the head of the New York Board of Rabbis. His mother was a high school English teacher.
He earned his bachelor's degree in anthropology from Columbia University, graduating in 1978, and his law degree from New York University School of Law, graduating in 1981. He has been a member of the New York Bar since 1982.
...
Wikipedia