Thomas Friedman

Birth Name: Thomas Loren Friedman

Place of Birth: St. Louis Park, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States

Date of Birth: July 20, 1953

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Thomas Friedman is an American political commentator and author. He writes weekly in the New York Times. His commentary covers foreign affairs, particularly the Middle East, environmentalism, and global trade.

Thomas is the son of Margaret, who served in the U.S. Navy, and Harold Friedman, who was vice president of a ball bearing company, United Bearing. His mother was also a Senior Life Master duplicate bridge player.

Thomas attended Hebrew school in his youth, and spent his high school summers working on kibbutzim in Israel. Thomas is married to Ann Bucksbaum, with whom he has two children.

Thomas’ paternal grandfather was Solomon Friedman/Freidman (the son of Abraham/Avrum Tzvi Hirsch Freidman and Freida Brsiu). Solomon was born in Russia, to Romanian Jewish parents.

Thomas’ paternal grandmother was Sarah Chaya Caplan (the daughter of Max Mordechia Kaplan and Rebecca Riva Kramer). Sarah was the daughter of a Lithuanian Jewish father and a Russian Jewish mother.

Thomas’ maternal grandfather was Benjamin Phillips (the son of Moses David Phillips and Leah Lieb). Benjamin was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Thomas’ maternal grandmother was named Rose Kapitznakoff. Rose was a Russian Jewish immigrant.

Sources: Genealogies of Thomas’ parents – https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of Thomas Friedman (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com