Elias Friedman

Father Elias Friedman OCD (1916–1999), was a Carmelite priest.

Biography
Born in 1916 into a family of Jewish origin in South Africa, and was given the name Jacob Friedman, although he was known as Jackie to his family and friends. He graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1938. In 1943, while serving as a doctor in the South African Medical Brigade, joined the Catholic Church. Four years later, he became a Discalced Carmelite and produced his first book, "The Redemption of Israel" published by Sheed and Ward. Friedman was ordained in 1953 and entered the Stella Maris monastery a year later. Friedman lived in the monastery Stella Maris of Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, until his death in 1999.

Academic and religious life
Father Elias Friedman earned several awards as an author, historian of the origins of the Carmelites, linguist, translator, public speaker, internationally acclaimed musician, and poet. The book "Jewish Identity" was the result of long years of prayer, study and over 40 years of religious life in Israel. The new organization he founded, the Association of Hebrew Catholics, is an early manifestation of the insights contained in this work. Alongside the Catholic Church, with the Second Vatican Council, has been reviewing its teachings about Jews and Judaism.