Avraham Hirsch and Hannah Schaiman Freedman Papers

Rabbi Avraham Hirsch Freedman was born in Koidanov (present day Dzyarzinsk), near Minsk (present day Belarus), on July 26, 1906 to parents Rabbi Elias Freedman and Leah Kaplan . His father Rabbi Elias Freedman emigrated to Blue Hill, Maine, around 1907, where he joined his brother. About 1908, Elias moved to Montreal, Canada, joining relatives of his wife, Leah Caplan Freedman. Elias then brought over his wife, Leah, and their 2 children, Celia, the eldest, and 3 year old Avraham.

After his bar mitzvah, Freedman was sent to Yizchak Elchanan Yeshiva in New York City for rabbinical studies. In 1932, he accepted his first position as a rabbi iat Congregation Adath Jeshurun in Ottawa, Canada. He met his wife, Hannah Schaiman, in 1934 and they were married the following year, on January 15, 1935. They had two children, Kadima (Michelson) and David.

In 1936, the couple moved to Durban, South Africa, where Freedman served as rabbi at the Durban United Hebrew Congregation. He remained in Durban throughout World War II, and served as a chaplain for troops stationed in the community. In 1949, Freedman and his family moved to Bangor, Maine, where he served as rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel. He remained at Beth Israel until he retired in 1969. After his retirement, he and Hannah lived in Israel for two years before finally settling in Brookline, Massachusetts. He died on June 15, 2000.

Hannah (Schaiman) Freedman was born on July 13, 1911 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Morris and Rebeecca Schaiman. She attended Maxwell Teacher's Training School in Brooklyn, and later earned a B.A. from the University of Maine. Throughout her life, Hannah studied, wrote, and gave talks and lectures about Judaism and Jewish History. During her time in Durban, South Africa, she served as president of the Durban Jewish Women’s Guild, as well as the head of the Durban Woman’s Zionist League. She died on February 17, 1998.

July 26, 1906

Avraham Hirsch Freedman is born.

July 13, 1911

Hannah Schaiman Freedman is born.

1932-1936

Avraham Hirsch Freedman serves as rabbi at Congregation Adath Jeshurun.

January 15, 1935

The Freedmans marry.

1936-1949

Avraham Hirsch Freedman serves as rabbi at Durban United Hebrew Congregation.

1949-1969

Avraham Hirsch Freedman serves as rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel.

February 17, 1998

Hannah Schaiman Freedman dies.

June 15, 2000

Avraham Hirsch Freedman dies.