Michael is an applied psychologist who has an extensive consulting background in organizational and executive development. He served over 15 years in the public sector as an educator, psychologist and administrator and has over 30 years of clinical experience. Michael formed his own private practice consulting company, Freidman Associates, to provide a unique blend of organizational consulting and clinical intervention for business & organization leaders. In addition, Michael’s consulting activities include executive recruitment and coaching, organizational design and effectiveness, human resource planning, conflict resolution, team building, strategic meeting planning and facilitation, and training on topics such as managerial mediation, stress management, and leadership development. His clients have included numerous multi-national public and private companies in addition to non-profit, educational, and religious organizations. Michael has a B.A. and M.Ed. from the University of Cincinnati and a Doctorate in Education from Temple University. In addition he is both a certified school and licensed psychologist.

Active participation in Judaism’s Reform Movement has marked every stage of Michael’s life. Built on his Jewish education at Main Line Reform Temple – Beth Elohim, he enjoyed time at URJ’s J. & B. Harlam Camp Institute, and was an active leader in local and regional youth activities (NFTY). During college in Cincinnati, Michael taught religious school at Rockdale Temple. As an adult back in the Philadelphia area, he and his family became active members and leaders of Beth David Reform Congregation where he served as Chair of the Board of Education and then as President. Michael is Past President of the Union of Reform Judaism’s Philadelphia Federation. He recently completed a multi-year project consulting with CCAR on governance issues and served as a member of the URJ Governance Task Force and URJ Presidential Search Committee. Michael continues as a member of the URJ North America Board and its Oversight Committee and is Chair of the URJ-CCAR Joint Commission on Outreach, Membership & Caring Community.

Michael is particularly interested in applying his professional skills and experience to work with clergy, congregations and Jewish organizations and therefore has recently created Congregational Consulting Network as an independent service provider to the Jewish community. He seeks to draw continued vision and purpose in these endeavors through greater understanding of Torah and Jewish texts.