DANIEL ELI FRIEDMAN
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dedicated Cantor committed to instilling pride and knowledge of Jewish culture and tradition, with special emphasis on nurturing and developing children, teens and young adults. Excel in program development and delivery, education, fund raising efforts, budget analysis, and community outreach.
CAREER SUMMARY CICA Cantor 2000 to Present
TEMPLE RAMAT ZION, Northridge, CA (2011 – Present) Part-time Cantor responsible for maintaining congregational continuity in prayer services and all Holy Days. TRZ Adult Choir - Artistic Director. Representative Contributions: Develop, Coordinate, and Administer B’nai Mitzvah Training Program starting fiscal year 2012. Develop, Coordinate, and Administer Peer Tutors/Peer Tutor Training Program starting fiscal year 2012. Develop congregational participation in all prayer experiences including but not limited to Shabbat and Holy Days. Shabbat morning Kolor service for Religious School students with Mike Asher on piano. Kabbalat Shabbat Sings with TRZ Choir and Musical Ensemble under the direction of Tova Morcos. SHOFAR contributing writer.
TEMPLE B’NAI HAYIM, Sherman Oaks, CA (2010) Cantor for High Holidays including and continuing through Sukkoth and Simchat Toarah/Sh’mini Atzeret.
NACHSHON MINYAN, Encino, CA (2009 – 2010) Part-time Cantor, focusing on administration of Torah School including the development of a capital campaign. Responsibilities included b’nai mitzvah mentorship, budget administration, board development and public relations. Co-Officiate at all religious services, festivals and life-cycle events.
STEPHEN S. WISE TEMPLE, Los Angeles, CA and KEHILAT ISRAEL, Pacific Palisades, CA (2009 – 2010) B’nai Mitzvah Tutor
TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM, Las Vegas, NV (1999 – 2009) Full-time Cantor, involved in all aspects of congregational life at 690-family conservative synagogue. Officiate at all religious services, festivals and life-cycle events; administer and teach B’nai Mitzvah Training Program; orchestrate music programs from pre-school through adult. Create, implement and oversee new programs to enhance celebration of Jewish life at Temple. Produce, direct and participate in fund raising concerts featuring Cantors, choral groups, contemporary Jewish performers, and instrumental ensembles. Oversee ritual, b’nai mitzvah, and music budget. Representative Contributions: Created “Torah Troop” to develop Torah readers: adult (Makheylah) and youth (Zimriyah) choral groups. Enhanced religious school t’fillah education by combining Hebrew study through musical Siddur (t’fillah) study. Created B’nai Mitzvah Training Guide and restructured entire program for maximum efficiency. Created “The 13 Mitzvot – An Interactive B’nai Mitzvah Manual”. Taught adult education courses “The Spiritual Siddur – How to Get Closer to God Through Prayer,” and “The Psalms— From Then to Now, Bringing the Psalms to Life Today.” Contributor to monthly Temple Beth Sholom Bulletin.
DANIEL ELI FRIEDMAN PAGE TWO TEMPLE BETH SHOLOM, Las Vegas, NV
Representative Contributions (Continued): Member of Board of Directors with an emphasis on Long Range Planning and Fund Raising. Personally instrumental in raising over $1,000,000 for five year capital campaign from 2003 to 2008. Created “Mini-Minyan” to maximize pre-school children’s exposure to Shabbat, Jewish secular, and Holiday specific music. Expanded awareness of temple and Judaism throughout the Jewish community and community-at-large through musical programs such as: o Shabbbat Unplugged – Kabbalat Shabbat with the music of Shlomo Carlebach. o Holiday Concert with Las Vegas Philharmonic under the direction of Peter Itkin 2002 and 2006. o JCC of Las Vegas Annual Cantorial Concert, Director 2002, 2004. o Tikkun L’el Las Vegas. Presenter. “The Use of Instrumentation in the Modern Synagogue Service.” o S’lichot Under the Stars, annually from 2001 to 2008. o “The New Voices of Judaism” an awareness concert for the Academy for Jewish Religion, CA produced by Hazzan Nate Lam and Rabbi Yocheved Mintz.
Commissioned original material and introduced new arrangements of traditional melodies. o “Remember” for String Orchestra by Seann Sara Sella for Yom HaZikaron 2001. o Lo Yisah Goy and Adon Olam with writing partner DJ Sinai.
Produced numerous CDs including: o “Shabbat Shalom, - Kabbalat Shabbat at Temple Beth Sholom” o “The Songs We Sing - Familiar Jewish Melodies for the Whole Family.” o “The Warsaw Ghetto Remembrance Garden” An experiential CD introducing and guiding attendees through the award winning Warsaw Remembrance Garden of Las Vegas at Temple Beth Sholom built and funded by the Men’s Club of TBS. o “The Trope of TBS” a guide for torah/haftorah readers and B’nai mitzvah students.
Produced and participated in numerous concerts raising over $100,000 including: o “Our Song” with Theodore Bikel and Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi. (2008) o Sol Aviv. (2007) o “My Yiddish Mother’s Day” with Cantors Judy and Herschel Fox. (2007) o IDF Performance Ensemble Concert for Yom Ha’atzma’ut. (2006) o “The Cantor” A film presentation and concert with Hazzan Jacob Mendelsohn. (2005) o “Two Cantors” with Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi. (2004) o “Craig Taubman Live at TBS” with Craig Taubman. (2003) o Gerard Edery the Ladino Minstrel. (2000 and 2002) o Neshomah Carlebach. (2001 and 2005)
CA Licensed Insurance Sales Representative 2010 to Present
BANKERS LIFE AND CASUALTY COMPANY, Culver City, CA Attained all levels of sales benchmarks including SNA (Successful New Agent) and high rank level of application and sales accomplishments leading to Field Trainer designation, management recognition and the creation of a highly ranked expanding team of seven agents. Awards and Recognitions include: o Winners Edge First Place Trophy (Sales competition between 50 top agents). o Building the Practice 4th place recognition (sales competition between 63 top agents). o Achieved FTA (Field Training Associate) designation in 14 months with company. o Agent of the Month for January 2012.
Additional Experience
15-year elite professional career as Actor/Singer/Dancer in Broadway shows such as Les Miserables, Cats and Forever Plaid. Acting resume and details of philanthropic involvement available upon request. DANIEL ELI FRIEDMAN PAGE THREE
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Moments for Memory, Los Angeles, Alzheimer’s Association (2010, 2011, 2012) Israel at 60 with the Las Vegas Philharmonic (2008) JCC of Las Vegas—Produce / Direct / Participate Cantor’s Concert (2000-2008) Citywide Yom Hashoah Remembrance Service (2000-2009) L’dor V’dor (2000-2009) Summerlin Children’s Forum (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007) Las Vegas Senior Lifeline (2004) Las Vegas Academy of International Studies and Performing Arts—Job Shadow Program (2003, 2004) Jewish Federation of Las Vegas—Israel Independence Day Celebration (2003, 2004) Sheldon and Miriam Adelson Hebrew Academy of Las Vegas —Torathon 5763 (2003) JCC of Las Vegas—Viva Oy Vegas (2003)
COMMENDATIONS
Mediators for Southern Nevada—“Peacemaker” certificate of appreciation (2004), for enhancing the cultural awareness of Las Vegas by facilitating and bringing the “Peace Through Humor” art exhibit to Las Vegas.
James K. Hahn, Mayor of Los Angeles and Jack Weiss, Los Angeles City Council Member decree of Recognition and Commendation for helping those afflicted by terrorism in Israel. (2004) Honored with the 2004 Red Yarmulke Award for helping those afflicted by terrorism in Israel.
Bankers Life and Casualty – NASvision, nominee and graduate, SNA (Successful New Agent) accommodation; Winners Edge, nominee and graduate; Building the Practice, nominee and graduate (Top APC recognition).
EDUCATION
ACADAMY FOR JEWISH RELIGION, CALIFORNIA (AJRCA), Masters Candidate UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA B.A. in Theatre Arts minor in Music LOS ANGELES CIVIC LIGHT OPERA WORKSHOP, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angles, CA Honors & Activities: Carol Burnett Award Finalist (UCLA), Josie Award Recipient (UCLA), Deans Honor Roll (UCLA) President – Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, Sigma Pi Chapter, UCLA Member and Soloist – UCLA Madrigal Singers (2 years) Counselor and Teacher for Los Angeles Jewish Federation’s citywide Havurat Noar program (3 years) Collaborated on the development of Los Angeles Jewish Federation’s citywide Dor Haddash program
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION MEMBERSHIP
Guild of Temple Musicians Cantors Assembly, CICA California Partnership for Long Term Care licensed sales representative Actor Equity Association Screen Actors Guild - AFTRA
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Vocal Technique and Hazzanut study with Hazzan Nate Lam (1981 to present) Hazzanut study with Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi (2003) Hazzanut study with Hazzan Jeremy Lipton (2002) Hazzanut study with Hazzan Ira Bigeleisen (1997, 2000) Ulpan Graduate, Conservative Yeshiva, Jerusalem, Israel (Summer 2003) Hazzanut study with Hazzan Alan Michelson (1978-1982) Sales Mentorship and Team Building - Southwest Consultants Building the Practice – Bankers Life and Casualty Company Winners Edge Sales Development – Bankers Life and Casualty Company