We miss Jay terribly, but are reminded, all the time, of  his quick wit, good humor and kindness.

I think about Jay all the time and miss the way he always had something wise or funny to say to brighten your day.

You are so missed, Jay! Luckily, your face stays alive in Genna's, Esther's – and especially Dovid's! 

I hope you're enjoying whatever you are up to right now and are hopefully with Patches & Hachii!

Love you!

It's been one year since Jay's passing and I have thought about him many many times. A good friend is not forgotten, nor is a wonderful husband and son.  Condolences to all of you who have suffered this loss. 

My memories of Jay go back to the years we were in the police academy. Jay and I had so many good times and laughs about the people we met and the stories surrounding a cast of characters mostly who were police cadets. I remember the after hour parties and gatherings. I recall all the silly pranks and jokes we played on each other. We were young and sometimes quite silly. I will always remember Jays sense of humor.  He was a very intelligent man and one who was wise. I will always remember his laugh and smile. I can see him now. Love you my brother. Rest in peace. Till we meet again...Lou

Jay was a sweet heart of a guy
Sweet dreams my friend 
RIP my friend my brother

What a Super Kind Man! I fondly remember our many chats in the store about our daughters, and life in general. Jay always had a big smile, and a welcoming ear. I was so sad to hear of his death. My deepest sympathy to Mindy, and his girls. 

I was Assistant Principal at Morris High School in The Bronx when I met Jay. He was a newly assigned teacher. Of course, this predates his joining the NYPD as a career law enforcement officer. As one might imagine, Jay was an excellent teacher from his first moments in the classroom.  After all, a great teacher is a person who knows how to give of himself to others, and Jay had that trait long before he decided to teach.  Despite being a natural teacher, Jay decided to enter law enforcement. It was his way of giving of himself to the community. 

Jay and I shared an ethnic heritage in that we were both of Jewish ancestry. You can only begin to imagine the humor that we shared together and the degree to which we treasured each other's friendship. 

I had the privilege of seeing Jay in action as a police officer and I was darn proud of him. I saw him one day when he was in the process of stopping a motorist on the street. I approached him as he was working and, of course, stood back so as not to disturb him during his work. He treated the motorist with the typical high degree of respect that one came to expect from Jay. 

I also met with Jay and several officers and ADA's after work one day. He was a very outgoing and friendly man. The thing that impressed me at the time was the fact that he circled the area that we were supposed to meet numerous times looking for a legal parking space. I was so proud of my friend for regularly showing that he didn't believe that he was above the law, as some LEO's do. 

I was also proud of Jay when he was selected to teach at the police academy. Near the end of his service as an instructor, it was clear that his students adored him as well, since they presented him with a plaque that had one of his most quoted lines printed upon it. Of course, it was a bit off color and humorous, but that was Jay and what made so many people love and respect him. 

Jay will be missed by so many. Write to me for more stories about a special man. 

I met Jay on the pick-up line at Camp Ramah nineteen years ago. He was so friendly  that chatting with him became a pleasant part of my afternoons. Genna thought that I was trying to flirt with Jay! The first day of Camp Ramah that summer Sara was introduced to Jackie as 
“your new best friend “.  Genna was right and Jackie and Sara are still very close today.  All three girls, who I love as my own, became friends with Sara and Liat (the artist formerly known as Emily).
Soon visits and sleepovers and camping trips and we all became dear family friends. Mindy and I bonded over clothes and shoes and most importantly: handbags.  
When Jay came to pick up Jackie from our house he always said,  ”I am here for my darling”.  I will never forget how Sara needed a little help with her math homework and within minutes Jay taught her what she needed to know.
Our trip to Bar Harbor Maine together is so memorable especially the kayak trip where the ocean water was so intense that we all had trouble moving our oars at all.  It was a very scary time but we got through it only to spend many more times together. 
Jeff and I have been blessed to go to  all three girls’ bat mitzvahs, Genna and  Michael’s wedding , Jackie and Steve’s wedding and so many happy times together. We are heartbroken but know that Jay’s memory will live on in our hearts and minds.
To my children, Genna and Michael, Jackie and Steve and Joey, know that we are here for you always. Esther Chava Shayna Maidelah, you are the greatest gift Jay ever had and I know he will be watching over you.
To Mindy, you know that we  love you and look forward to more happy days.  Love you all so much. Thank you Jay for being a wonderful friend.  We love you!


I met Jay many years ago when we were both on sports staff at Camp Ramah.  I have wonderful memories of Jay teaching the campers baseball.   I'm so sorry for your loss.   My condolences to Mindy, Genna, Jackie, and Joey.

We miss Jay terribly.  We are so fortunate to  have had Jay as an integral part of our lives for many years.  He was the definition of a mensch and a shining example for all of us.  I am so grateful for every interaction, every story, every smile.  To see Jay when he talked about Mindy,  his daughters and about Esther was to experience joy.  Watching Jay interact with the kids in the building- including my own- always made me happy and reminded me of what matters most in life.  Jay’s life was a blessing, and we are blessed to have known and loved him.  

A wonderful, kind man gone too soon — Jay was the definition of a gentleman.   He looked after all the “kids” in the building as if they were his own.  Jay had the biggest heart - always asking how everyone was in a genuine way.   Jay was devoted to Mindy and his girls.  We feel as if we know you all, having heard so much about you through the years.  Please accept our deepest condolences.  We will so miss you, Jay.

I had the good fortune for the last 13 years to see and talk to Jay on an almost daily basis. He always brightened up those days with one of the quickest minds I’ve ever encountered and an always reliable sense of humor. Jay could be counted on for a great anecdote from his days as a beat cop or a wonderful bit of baseball trivia. He was thoughtful and fun to be around.  His warmth and humanity was a constant in our lives and we will miss him terribly.  He also dearly loved his wife, Mindy, and his daughters. Our deepest condolences. 

I didn’t know Jay very well but every time I met him I found him to be a great conversationalist and a good listener. Ezra and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. It seemed to me that Jay liked people. I saw how much he and Mindy were great together.
I wish the family the following traditional Jewish blessing that is said to mourners,
The Lord will comfort you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem 
Freda

I met Jay at Camp Ramah 19 years ago. His amazing daughter Jackie and I immediately became best friends, and I spend so much time at the Friedman house. Jay would always treat me like I was another daughter and would cook us delicious breakfasts & always share jokes with us. He was almost a second father to me. Before long, our families became very close, and he was absolutely one of my dad's favorite people. Living out in Colorado, I've met people at Jewish events who would not be able to stop talking about how much they adore Jay. I will miss him tremendously and am absolutely devastated by this loss. I'm confident that this loss will remain always, but feel confident that his memory will live on in 3 of my favorite people – Jackie, Genna & Joey, his beloved wife Mindy & his sensationally adorable granddaughter, Esther. Love you always, Jay!!!

Jay was such a wonderful and funny man, always talking about Mindy and his girls. He loved his family above all and was so excited about his granddaughter. 
We miss him so much; his smile, his stories about being a cop, his thoughtfulness. A very special person. 
Bless you Jay,
Linda and Danny


A great man has left us,  Jay touched so many and was loved by all he touched, as a teacher, a colleague, a fellow cop and most of all a friend. May He Rest In Peace in God's Heaven.

The Karpen Family, Ricky & Jayne

OBITUARY

Jay Friedman

July 2, 1954 – April 17, 2020

Hellman Memorial Chapels

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