Home > Blog > Membership Reimagined > WHC Story: Allie Friedman
Allison ”Allie” Friedman, daughter of Temple members Dr. Jeffrey and Wendy Cossman, grew up at Washington Hebrew. After attending college at the University of Michigan, Allie reconnected with WHC through 2239, our auxiliary for young professionals where she found a community of friends and a deeper sense of Jewish identity as an adult. There was also a romantic connection. Andrew (Allie’s now husband) first saw Allie giving the announcements at a 2239 Shabbat dinner and later met her at a GatherDC happy hour (a local Jewish nonprofit where Allie works as Communications Director)!
This past summer, a pregnant Allie discovered a whole new WHC community when she joined our new group for expectant mothers. Allie told us, “I remember being so excited to go to that first Zoom meeting with the pregnant moms that Rabbi Eliana (Fischel) set up. I had a million questions.” Friendships blossomed between the women. Now accompanied by their babies, they continue to meet on Zoom and go on socially distanced stroller walks.
Growing up at WHC, Allie had dreamed about bringing her “next generation” to the High Holy Days at Temple. With everything being virtual this year, Allie said, “I was sad to be missing out on yet another Jewish holiday experience due to the pandemic.” But then she turned on WHC’s YouTube channel and found “…this whole new way to experience the holiday and a new tradition that wound up being really nice. It was a beautiful service and represented a silver lining in all of this—that you don’t have to go anywhere to get a spiritual connection.”
Allie is grateful for Washington Hebrew’s rabbis and the relationships she has with them. “Every time I talk to Rabbi Aaron (Miller) or Rabbi Eliana (Fischel), they make me feel like I’m the only person in the room.” She added, “They have forever influenced my life, my relationship to Judaism, and my connection to the larger Jewish community.”
Join Allie and select your 2021-2022 Congregational Commitment today!
Have questions about WHC’s new membership model? We’ll be on Zoom from noon – 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 30 and Wednesday, March 31 to help. Click here to join us!
