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The Honorable Judge Karen Chaya Friedman, 38, was sworn in as a District Court Judge today in Baltimore among a packed courtroom and an overflow courtroom filled with family, friends, elected officials and many dignitaries.
Judge Friedman, a judge on the City of Baltimore’s Orphan’s Court since 2001, is the first Orthodox Jewish woman to receive such an appointment.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” she said just minutes after taking the oath of her office.
Her husband Howard “Tzi” Friedman, said, “this was exciting. She is well deserving of the honor. She’s done a terrific job and has has made tremendous achievements.”
She comes to the podium after introductions from at least three of her sponsors, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Rep. Elijah Cummings and Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. She was appointed to the District Court by Governor Martin O’Malley.
“It is overwhelming, it is exciting, scary and wonderful,” she said on Monday morning. “It’s a wonderful new chapter in my life.”
Judge Friedman, the wife of Jewish leader and philanthropist Howard Tzvi Friedman and the mother of two sets of twins, will spend the next two weeks shadowing District court judges, as an orientation to her new responsibilities.
She said that she will attend a one-week course known as “baby judges school.” There, she will go through the rigors of an array of different topics judges face in their day-to-day responsibilities. At least one part of that training will include a day at the National Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Reginald Lewis Museum of African-American History here in Baltimore.
Judge Friedman’s appointment by Governor Martin O’Malley is for a 10-year term.
Judge Friedman is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law. She also serves with Rep. Cummings Youth Program. She earned her degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law. Judge Friedman was name one of the Top 100 Women in Maryland in 2002, 2004 and 2010 by the Daily Record.
The feeling in the courtroom for the Judge was one of love and support.
“This is a happy day for Maryland and for Baltimore,” said Sen. Mikulski. “She is deeply committed to rendering impartial justice.”
“The District Court,” continued Sen. Mikulski, “is street corner justice at its best.”
Democratic Party House Majority leader Steny Hoyer recalled the days when the District Court was known as the peoples’ court, because of its access to citizens. He said that Judge Friedman will bring a fair, compassionate ability to the bench. He stressed the word “fairness” in her ability to deliver justice.
Rep. Elijah Cummings, another speaker, spoke directly to Judge Friedman, thanking her for her “ability to build bridges” and for her work as a chair of the Elijah Cummings Youth Program, which sends children to Israel through the Baltimore Jewish Council.
“You don’t mistake a comma for a period,” he said of her talent for obvservation and hearing people. “The things you do are bigger than you are. We thank you. You’ve got it going on.”
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, a close friend of the Judge, said that the honor and appointment could not have happened to a better person.
“You are fair and you are capable,” she said. “You see people as people, not according to their age, religion, race or zip code. I’m just so proud.”
Judge Friedman then had the honor of being robed by her four children, Gabrielle, Aryeh, Alexander and Daniella as well as her parents Bernard and Esther Dickman.
Among the many elected officials in the room were City Councilwoman Rochelle “Rikki” Spector, Del. Sandy Rosenberg, Sen. Lisa Gladden, Senator Paul Sarbanes, Rep. John Sarbanes, Attorney General Doug Gansler, City State’s Attorney Pat Jessamy and Baltimore City Clerk of the Circuit Court Frank Conaway. Also in attendance were City Police Commissioner Fred Bealefeld and City Fire Chief Jim Clack. Former congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume was also present.
Photo by Michael Diamond
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake with Judge Karen Chaya Friedman.