Karen Friedman

With more than a decade of experience in Jewish nonprofit development, Karen pairs strategic insight with heartfelt commitment to drive fundraising, sales growth, donor engagement, corporate partnerships, and grant development for Shemesh Farms.

But beyond the business side, Karen’s greatest joy comes from spending time with our Farm Fellows—watching them grow in skills, confidence, and community. For her, that’s where the true magic of Shemesh happens.

Drawing on her background in education and team leadership, Karen excels at turning ambitious visions into actionable plans and fostering a collaborative, purpose-filled environment.

Outside the farm, Karen enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband Adam, their sons Julian and Liam, and their dogs Moose and Humphrey. She believes most challenges in life can be solved with a deep breath, a count to ten, and a really good cup of coffee.