Ephraim Friedman, M.D.

Ephraim (also known as Ef, Eph or Freddie) Friedman was born on New Years Day, 1930 in Rural Belvedere, Los Angeles. He was the oldest living son of Eva (Libe) Lipson and Solman Friedman, although a son had been born earlier that died at birth. He was named after his grandfather. As a young man he traveled east to attend Yeshiva in Brooklyn, NY called RIETS which stands for Rabbi Itzak Elhanan Theological Seminary the rabbinical seminary of Yeshiva University. He went to UCLA for undergraduate, then studied medicine at UCSF. He did a residency in Jerusalem and returned to the US. He married Dagmar Anne Benioff in 1954 and had 4 children.

I invite you to send me any stories, memories, letters (even if untranslated), documents and photos concerning Ephraim Friedman, M.D. and I will add them to this website.

Ephraim Friedman - about 1935

House on Ditman Street where EF was born in 1930.

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Ephraim Friedman in Israel

Ephraim Friedman with Yonadav, Yael, Ze'ev and Bella Fraidlin

Anya Friedman Spector with the Fraidlins and Goldenbergs in Israel

Ephraim Friedman and his car

Ephraim Friedman at Yeshiva

Ephraim Friedman

Ephraim Friedman in Israel

Hugo Benioff and his son-in-law Ephraim Friedman

Wedding of Dagmar Benioff and Ephraim Friedman, Aug 22, 1954

Wedding of Dagmar Benioff and Ephraim Friedman - 1954

Ephraim Friedman

Ephraim, Sam & Solman Friedman in living room of 149 S. Highland, Los Angeles.

Ephraim Friedman and pipe

Ephraim Friedman and Joe Vitale

Ephraim Friedman - fisherman extraordinaire!

Ephraim Friedman, Joe Vitale and ?

Ephraim Friedman

Ephraim Friedman with Keeva - 2005

Ephraim Friedman

Note from Linda Friedman Goldwyn

Ephraim Friedman

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Ephraim Friedman in the Sierras

Ephraim Friedman at Camp Massad in 1946 Middle row, second from left

Ephraim Friedman at Camp Massad in 1946 Back Row 22nd from left

Ephraim Friedman at Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1973

Ephraim "Freddy" Friedman in a top hat

Ephraim Friedman in Mountains

Videos

Eph talks to Maine Guide George Smith

The second part of this lovely video, made by Nate Goldstein’s wife, Harriet Fishman, is of Ephraim and Dagmar’s art group. That part starts at about 10:00.

Historical Data

Memorials

Online References

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Letter to the Editor of Ophthalmology and Eph's Reply - 1995 - page 1

Letter to the Editor of Ophthalmology and Eph's Reply - 1995 - page 2

One of Eph's diagrams showing the pathogenesis of AMD

Ephraim's Artwork

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.

-- John Buchan

Lessons Learned from Life with Eph at Einstein

How to build a log cabin
The critical importance of the armature to the strength and stability of a sculpture
The usefulness of cross-field running
The need for a physician to remove personal ego from decisions about what is best for the patient (or, alternatively, a dean and an institution)
The inevitability of making mistakes
The importance of retaining your sanity
The value of silence when there is nothing more to be said.

— Debby Kligler Krasnow at Eph's 80th Birthday Celebration

Dear Mrs. Friedman and family,

Dr. Friedman hired me to serve my conscientious objector obligation in 1971. I continued working for the Boston University School of Medicine through 1975, Dr. Friedman serving as an amazing role model, supervisor and inspiration. I will miss him and send my deepest condolences.

— John Friedberg

The reputation of Ephraim Friedman lured me from Texas to Boston as a resident in his department. While he had ascended to the deanship at BU Med School by the time that residency began, his continued participation in the department allowed me sufficient contact time to revere his wisdom and seek his counsel at pivotal times in my life. In those early training years, and later at Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, his equanimity repeatedly reinforced how privileged so many of us were in having him as a mentor in our profession and role model in our lives. Thank you, Eph.

— Steve Cobb

I worked as a secretary in the Eye Path Lab when Eph was a fellow. I knew, as long as he was alive, the world was a better place because of him. I am sorry he is gone. Love, Alice Lowenstein

— Alice Lowenstein