Israel Friedman
Israel (Srul) Friedman was born in Kopaigorod now Ukraine) on 1 November 1873 to Ephraim Friedman and Hinda Podgaitz. He was one of 8 surviving children (3 boys, 5 girls). He married Dina Rachel Shulman around 1892 in Kopaigorod. They had 7 surviving children all born in Kopaigorod. He came with his family to Hermosillo, Mexico in the 1920s, then to Los Angeles. He died 20 November 1938.
He left his descendants an Ethical Will.
From an interview with Ephraim Friedman (Freddy) 5-22-03 – edited by DSF
“Israel, my grandfather, was very quiet, diminutive in physique compared to his wife. Very dignified. Respected by his children, but not feared. In Russia he made soap, in US he worked at the Friedman Bag Company for a short while. Was in Hermosillo, Mexico with family in early 20s after the Russian Revolution and stayed until the mid-20s when they emigrated to the US. He was well read, but not particularly a scholar. He wrote a living will for his children. I did not interact much with him in contrast to my maternal grandparents. Their house was on Boyle St. (Sentinel actually says Bea and Annette 9-19-06), single family stucco, small, nice backyard, impressed me as being exceptionally neat. No car. He spoke English haltingly. Mostly spoke Yiddish. They would lapse into Russian when they wanted the children not to hear. Very proud of their children. Strong family connection, ie family was big issue among the Friedmans. Loyalties. The writing of letters to family was important although I don’t remember ever receiving any from them. Regarding the “ethical will” – the flowery language, surprises me because he didn’t act like he had that much emotional thought.“
Notes from Sam Friedman, edited by DSF – Israel a little on the shy side, started studying late at the age of 17, woke up and knew he wasn’t studying enough, got himself together, started to study, in a short time learned everything he missed when younger.
