Rabbi Lawrence Freedman

Rabbi Larry Freedman

Rabbi Larry Freedman is the director of the Joint Jewish Education Program in Pittsburgh, a shared religious school between Rodef Shalom and the Conservative Congregation Beth Shalom. He is also a chaplain at the 171 Air Refueling Wing (PA Air National Guard). He holds the rank of Lt. Colonel.

a soldier standing next to an air field with planes behind him while holding a shofar
Secular Holidays

No, Thank *You* For Your Service

Rabbi Lawrence Freedman
It wasn't because of 9/11. It wasn't because I had a tradition of military service in my family. And while the pay and benefits are nice, it wasn't for those reasons, either. That wasn't why I joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2003 and later switched to the Air National Guard. I joined for the same reason I became a rabbi: I have a desire to serve others and be part of something larger than myself.