Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl 

Baruch Frydman-Kohl is the Anne and Max Tanenbaum Senior Rabbi of Beth Tzedec Congregation. The focus of his rabbinate has been: a commitment to family education and life-long learning; a dedication to provide chesed support those in need; and opening up synagogue life through a diverse ritual and educational opportunities. 

The recipient of a Coolidge Fellowship for research in an inter-faith community at the Episcopal Divinity School at Harvard University, Rav Baruch has been a leader in interfaith activity in Canada, helping to organize the Path of Abraham missions to the Holy Land and serving as a member of the Canadian Jewish-Catholic Consultation process.  He has a doctorate in Jewish Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary and serves as a Senior Rabbinic Fellow of the Shalom Hartman Institute of Jerusalem.

Rav Baruch has served on UJA Federation’s Board of Directors. He has also served as President of both the Rabbinical Assembly of Ontario and the Toronto Board of Rabbis. He helped initiate the Jewish Leadership program of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, serves on the University of Toronto’s Jewish Studies Advisory Committee, and is a member of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly.  

He and Josette are the parents of Yakov (married to Sarah), Rafi, and Amir (married to Amanda) and have two sabra grandchildren.

“I am deeply honoured by this award and its connection with Gordy Wolfe. He was the first Jewish professional with whom I met when I came to Toronto and we remained connected through his work and life. Gordy was a source of wisdom, sagacity and insight. I know some of the previous recipients and am honoured to be included in their company. The fact that this award has not been previously given to a congregational rabbi makes it even more meaningful.​”