Lisa Friedman is widely recognized in the field of Jewish Special Education. She is currently an Education Director at Temple Beth-El in Central New Jersey, where she has developed and oversees an inclusive synagogue school. Lisa also consults with Jewish organizations to guide them in the development of inclusive practices for staff, clergy, and families through dialogue, interactive workshops and awareness training. Lisa is a sought after speaker on a wide variety of topics for professionals, lay leaders, teachers, parents and teens.

Lisa blogs about disabilities and inclusion at Jewish Special Needs Education: Removing the Stumbling Block, and her articles are regularly featured in such publications as The NY Jewish Week, ReformJudaism.org, Zeh Lezeh – the blog of the Ruderman Family Foundation and Think Inclusive. She is also a mentor in the Matan Institute for Education Directors.

Lisa has served on and chaired numerous committees whose focus is the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in Jewish life. She currently sits on both the Hebrew College Inclusive Roundtable and Hineinu, an innovative collaboration of the disability professionals from each of Judaism’s denominations.